As national and local authorities face growing expectations for climate action that is both ambitious and inclusive, this conference will focus on how local governments can support citizens in reducing the climate footprint of everyday life – and ensure that climate policies are fair, inclusive, and socially just.

The conference invites participants to reflect on how local initiatives can move beyond consultation towards real co-creation with communities. Together, we will explore how behavioural science, democratic innovation, and inclusive approaches can make the green transition more effective – and more just.

Attendees will experience inspiring keynote lectures from climate engagement experts:

Anne Tortzen (Center for Collaborative Democracy)- Keynote & Moderator - How may the municipality act as a catalyst for climate engagement?In her PhD research, Anne explored co-creation practices in Danish municipalities, and she is a leading expert in citizen participation and democratic innovation. With a background in political science, journalism, and facilitation, Anne has worked with communication, participation, and local democracy for over 20 years. She is the author of several influential books on co-creation and democracy, most recently "Climate, Democracy and Co-Creation" (2023), which explores how local governments can foster civic climate engagement.

Lise Jans (University of Groningen, Netherlands) - Keynote & Workshop: Building collective motivation for pro-environmental behaviour change.

Dr. Lise Jans is Associate Professor in social-environmental psychology at the University of Groningen, The Netherlands. She examines how groups (and group identities) are formed and changed, and the role of groups in promoting sustainable behaviours and sustainability transitions from the bottom up. This keynote and workshop will discuss key insights from social and environmental psychological research on the factors underlying individual and collective pro-environmental behaviour, and how this can be facilitated, particularly via group-based approaches.

Landry Mawungu (Hannah Arendt Institute, Belgium)- Keynote & Workshop: It Takes All of Us: Tackling the Climate Crisis Collectively.

The climate challenge transcends boundaries and responsibilities—it demands a united effort from local governments, businesses, civil society, and citizens alike. Municipalities play a crucial role, but they can’t solve it alone. In this keynote, we’ll explore how the collective impact model offers a powerful framework for collaboration and shared ownership, followed by a workshop.

Beyond the keynotes, the day features a dynamic panel discussion with climate project leaders and interactive workshops where participants can develop practical skills for launching community climate initiatives. The event provides extensive opportunities for networking with climate experts, sharing successful participation models, and gaining actionable insights you can implement in your own community!

Conference: Driving Climate Action Through Citizen Engagement