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In 2008 the British Council launched the European element of its global climate change programme, “Challenge Europe”. This is a three year project aiming to accelerate change to a low carbon future. The project brings together ambitious young people who want to make a lasting impact on climate change. It enables them to improve their knowledge of climate change issues and provides them with a platform to develop innovative and practical projects to reduce carbon use.
In 2010 we have started with the third and last year of the project that is taking place in 12 countries across Europe: Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Finland, France, Hungary, Ireland, Norway, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, and Turkey.
In each of the participating countries we have selected 15 ‘Climate Advocates’, from all walks of life, who want to commit their time to working together to tackle climate change. Over the period of one year each country team works collaboratively to identify the key areas where they think they can make a real difference. They then develop three concrete ideas to reduce carbon use through changes in policy, business or human behaviour. Through international networking events the Advocates also get opportunities to share their ideas with each other, improve them, and get inspiration from other countries.
The groups then take their ideas to potential stakeholders, reaching out to decision-makers and relevant organisations, campaigning for support to turn their ideas into reality.
The philosophy of the project is simple: to create momentum through collaboration, innovation, energy, drive passion, understanding and knowledge-sharing!
Throughout the project, we have formed partnerships with a large number of organisations across Europe spanning all sectors, including the corporate, non-governmental, environmental and academic worlds.
We are also working with the European Commission and its Representations in many participating countries. Through these partnerships, we support the Climate Advocates in their quest, offering them access to some of the best minds in Europe through established networks of expert groups and individuals.
Since the Challenge Europe project started, it has engaged over 600 Climate Advocates from 15 European countries: Czech Republic, Denmark, Greece, Finland, Hungary, Ireland, Lithuania, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Turkey, UK and Ukraine.
With the support of 150 partner organisations and the help of more than 600 international and national experts, the Climate Advocates have developed 83 separate projects to reduce carbon use. The areas of focus of these projects include education, transport, housing and built environments, food and agriculture, energy, business practice - as well as raising awareness and taking personal action.
Challenge Europe has been extremely successful. Please visit Challenge Europe portal for news on past projects.
In this its final year, Challenge Europe in Denmark is working with partners to set up the 10:10 Danmark hub. The 10 Advocates will focus on the Global Work Party on 10 October 2010 and harness the power of arts and cultural exchange to make the message more effective.
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What Is Challenge Europe?