Co-organised by Institut français, British Council, DutchCulture and the Danish Cultural Institute, the workshop explored the intersection between cultural relations, climate change and the environment, building on the Climate Culture(s) Creative Lab in Berlin and the research that led to the EUNIC Sustainability Toolkit.

The Webinar: Laying the Groundwork for Change

The webinar, attended by a diverse audience of EUNIC members, set the stage for the in-person discussions.

Andrew Manning, EUNIC's President, highlighted the importance of collective action in addressing climate challenges, emphasising the role of cultural relations in fostering global change.

Rosanna Lewis (British Council) and Simon de Leeuw (DutchCulture) introduced the Tree of Change metaphor to frame the discussions, inspiring attendees to reflect on growth and interconnectedness in their efforts.

The session included a presentation of the EUNIC Sustainability Toolkit by authors Maria Elena De Matteo and Eva Balaban. The toolkit offers practical resources, including KPIs, case studies and communication strategies, to guide cultural institutions in their sustainability journeys.

Culture holds an immense power that can be leveraged much more to address the climate urgency. It can help us imagine alternative futures, manifesting what we wish for and help us identify how to get there.

Maria Elena De Matteo, We Move Waves, author of the EUNIC Sustainability Toolkit

EUNIC members also shared key insights and challenges, with contributors such as Nikki Locke (British Council) and Lucille Vivier-Calicat (Institut français) highlighting best practices in sustainability strategies and storytelling. The importance of tailoring campaigns to specific audiences and promoting inclusive communication emerged as recurring themes.

Participants agreed on the need for:

• Regular training sessions and webinars to enhance knowledge sharing.
• A centralised platform for accessible resources.
• Strengthening storytelling techniques to inspire engagement across diverse audiences.

Knowledge Sharing Workshop in Paris

The two-day workshop in Paris brought together EUNIC members actively working on sustainability strategies. The agenda featured collaborative sessions, including:

• World Café Discussions: Participants shared experiences on advocacy, storytelling, and evidence-based approaches to sustainability, identifying both successes and challenges;
• External Insights: Speakers from UNESCO, Creative Europe and Relais Culture Europe provided perspectives on cultural relations’ role in addressing climate change at national and international levels;
• Strategic Brainstorming: Through SWOT analysis and plenary reflections, participants identified opportunities for collective action, from aligning with major events like COP25 in Brazil to fostering partnerships with key stakeholders.

Interactive sessions, such as a guided visit to the Académie du Climat, underscored the tangible impact of cultural institutions in promoting sustainability.

Next Steps for EUNIC

Based on identified advocacy moments and relevant stakeholders from EUNIC's sustainability research, insights from the webinar, findings from the first day of the workshop and collective knowledge, participants deliberated on the network's priorities and next steps in addressing climate action.

Coming together on shared values and building on common networks is crucial. This is where EUNIC can play an important role - for example at COP. EUNIC is in a good position to share content and be part of these important conversations.

Rosanna Lewis, Senior Relationship Manager at British Council Belgium

As climate action becomes a recurring theme in EUNIC's assemblies and initiatives, these discussions mark a significant step forward. They reinforce the network's dedication to addressing climate challenges through cultural relations and reaffirm its role as a leader in promoting sustainability across Europe and beyond.