Drivers of Change

CJRF promotes community-led, justice-centered approaches to adaptation and resilience-building. Working from local to global, we fund advocacy, coalition building, and outreach initiatives through which frontline communities grow their voice and power, shape policy solutions, and build a more equitable and resilient world. To that end, CJRF support flows to five pillars of work:

Advocacy

The voices of those dealing with the everyday impacts of climate change should drive action at local, national, and global levels. We support advocacy efforts that call out and push back against the systemic issues at the root of climate injustice. When advocacy succeeds, budgets reflect real people’s priorities, and policies solve problems and create opportunities.

Access to Information

Knowledge is power, and when people have it, they can build resilience and create meaningful change. We fund organizations that give people critical knowledge about their environment, their rights, and the actions of their governments.

Local Initiatives

Communities are developing resourceful solutions to climate challenges because their lives and ways of living depend on them. They are building their own resilience in many creative ways: by trying new farming practices; starting new businesses; building new associations; preparing for crisis; and much more. With our support, they strengthen and scale these efforts, and expand them to communities facing similar challenges.

Movement Building

Networks and coalitions create stronger negotiating positions with public authorities and allow like-minded local groups to learn from each other and partner for more impact. CJRF equips organizations with the resources and tools to build relationships and structures for collective climate action. This collective action accelerates momentum for change across communities, countries, and the world.

Leadership Development

People power change. We support women, youth, and Indigenous leaders as they build community resilience and work for climate justice. We fund organizations that nurture activists’ advocacy and organizing skills, connect leaders for peer learning, and develop plans for climate action in their communities.