Gemma K! - Pilot initiative “Gemeinschaf(f)t Klimaschutz”

The project, which is designed for long-term implementation, imparts practical knowledge in the areas of mobility, energy, consumption and resource conservation/circular economy, provides a framework for joint learning and reflection and thus promotes the individual and collective self-efficacy of all participants.

Initial situation/motivation

For cities and municipalities to achieve their climate protection goals, it is important not only to take measures within their own sphere of influence, but also to convince as many citizens as possible to adopt a climate-friendly lifestyle.

In practice, everyday alternatives play just as much a role in successfully changing everyday practices as the social component:

changing behaviour together is easier. In addition to already strongly committed people who are already making their everyday lives climate-friendly, it is important to activate people outside the already climate-active population group as well as well-connected personalities in associations, NGOs, etc., who will subsequently act as multipliers for climate protection.

Contents and objectives

New forms of cooperation between the three Styrian climate pioneer cities of Graz, Weiz and Judenburg, the Province of Styria, experts and local multipliers are the core of the project. As a central building block, the multipliers are to be empowered to establish climate protection communities (CPCs) in their respective contexts and to join forces with others to take action for the climate.

The project imparts practical knowledge in the areas of mobility, energy, consumption and resource conservation/circular economy, provides a framework for joint learning and reflection and thus promotes the individual and collective self-efficacy of all participants.

Another key project objective is the permanent implementation of the pilot initiative in the participating cities and the dissemination of Gemma K! in interested follower cities/municipalities. To this end, the (climate) effects, activities and processes of the CPCs are evaluated and provide valuable insights together with the accompanying scientific research.

Methods

The project consists of the following three phases:

Phase 1: CO-DESIGN

Through cooperation with target group-related administrative bodies, the organised public and innovative approaches to climate communication, multipliers outside the 'climate-active bubble', e.g. from associations, NGOs, etc., are addressed in particular and activated to participate. Based on identified needs, they are sensitised to climate-friendly action and prepared for their role as multipliers.

Phase 2: CO-ACTION

In phase 2, the multipliers activate other people in their respective contexts (e.g. associations, NGOs), form climate protection communities (CPCs) and jointly implement climate protection actions in their everyday lives. They are supported by the project team through ongoing coaching and moderated dialogue formats.

Phase 3: CO-REFLECTION

In phase 3, the actions and (climate) impacts achieved by the climate action communities are evaluated, reflected on with the multipliers in workshops and the second intervention cycle is planned. This in turn runs through the three phases with new multipliers.

The climate action communities from the first intervention cycle will continue to be supported, methods for continuation beyond the end of the project will be tested and the necessary funding will be explored.

Expected results

• Establishment of a total of 40-100 climate protection communities (CPCs) in Graz, Judenburg and Weiz, which actively contribute to reducing GHG emissions in everyday life.
• Learning experiences from 40-100 CPCs that work together for the climate in everyday life
• Learning experiences about new forms of cooperation between the city administration and multipliers, while at the same time continuing the KSGs as self-organised as possible after the end of the project.
• Gaining insights into how to address citizens - even outside the 'climate protection bubble'.
• Monitoring tool to make the (climate) effects of CPCs easily measurable and visible.
• Websites and events that make actors and actions visible, offer a pool of knowledge and invite people to get involved at a low threshold.
• Guidelines for the implementation of the pilot initiative in interested follower municipalities and at least 3 municipalities that want to implement Gemma K!
• Growing climate protection community

Project management

City of Graz

Project or cooperation partners

• StadtLABOR – Innovationen für urbane Lebensqualität GmbH
• Energie Agentur Steiermark gGmbH (Energy Agency Styria)
• FH Joanneum GmbH - Institute for Journalism and Digital Media
• University of Graz – Department of Environmental Systems Sciences
• The Province of Styria, A 15, Climate Protection Coordination Department and the towns of Judenburg and Weiz are represented in the project via letters of intent.

City of Graz
Executive Office for Urban Planning,
Development & Construction,
Unit for Climate Action and Funding Projects

Doris Wiederwald
Europaplatz 20
A-8020 Graz
Tel.: +43 (316) 872 3585
E-mail: doris.wiederwald@stadt.graz.at
Web: www.graz.at