The name Younity4Action brings together 'youth+community' (yo-unity) together in unison 'for' (4) the specific purpose of climate 'action' (action). Younity4Action is an emerging space for collaboration that is intended to evolve as partnerships develop. The momentum to develop this space developed from the ‘Youth-Led Adaptation for Climate Change Challenges in Vietnam’ (YACC) project which then led into the ‘Advancing Policy and Practice On Climate Action through intergenerational dialogue in Vietnam and beyond across Southeast Asia’ (APPOCA).  

The name Younity4Action in part, came from discussions with students on a social justice and social change module at the University of Hull, when innovatively exploring how communities could get involved in local climate and environmental action  
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Younity4Action started from the need to highlight the many hidden stories of action that were happening globally by people within their everyday lives. It grew from the belief that showcasing these stories of action could create opportunities for hope for diverse communities as they learn to live with a changing climate. This is built on the belief that emotions and affect are powerfully associated with climate action. Thus whilst it is clear that fear and anger may sensitise people to the challenges of climate change, they can often create significant anxieties and may stifle action by inducing a sense of hopelessness. Younity4Action is a space committed to focusing on action. It is a space committed to supporting collaboration and friendships to foster solidarity and collective action.  

What are the core principles of Younity4Action and why are they

​important? 

Younity4Action has four principles ​

Why should youth be at the centre of sustainable climate action? 

The impact on future generations – The consequences of climate change are long term and todays youth will face significant impacts predicted for the future. Placing youth at the centre of climate action is not only a matter of justice, but also a strategic choice for harnessing innovation, passion and collective action needed to effectively address the global climate crisis. 

Innovative solutions – Youth bring fresh perspectives, creativity and innovation to problem solving. They often embrace evolving technologies that will enable them to contribute to more effective and sustainable climate solutions. 

Political influence – As future leaders and voters, youth have the power to influence political agendas by advocating for policies that prioritise environmental sustainability and hold leaders to account in their commitment (or lack of) in addressing the climate crisis. 
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Educational advocacy – Youth play a crucial role in raising awareness and advocating for climate action within educational spaces and institutions. By educating peers, communities and policymakes, they contribute to building a more informed and engaged society that is supportive of sustainable practices. 

What is participatory action research and why should we use it with youth for climate action? ​

Participatory Action Research  - often referred to as ‘PAR’ is a collaborative research approach that involves the active participation of the people affected by particular issues, in this case climate change. It provides the opportunity for a holistic, inclusive and empowering approach in addressing the climate crisis. 

PAR is inclusive of diverse perspectives – Participants from different backgrounds, cultures and communities may have unique insights into climate challenges. PAR enables climate action strategies to be more effective and comprehensive by ensuring that diverse perspectives are included. 

PAR builds local capacity – It also fosters community engagement by involving community members in the research process. This not only facilitates the empowerment of youth with valuable skills but also contributes to the development of sustainable and locally-driven climate solutions.  
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PAR involves learning and action – Youth learn through active participation in the research process and not just through theoretical knowledge exchange. By encouraging youth to actively participate in the research and action, it can create a catalyst for change by inspiring a sense of responsibility that extends beyond climate issues to other social and environmental challenges. 

Why is it important to include intergenerational and intercultural community-based dialogue for
climate action? 

Intergenerational collaboration – Interacting with older generations allows for an exchange of knowledge, experiences and perspectives which creates a more comprehensive and inclusive approach to addressing climate challenges.  It promotes understanding and cooperation between diverse communities, which creates a sense of solidarity. 

Cultural wisdom and practices – Ethnically diverse and Indigenous local communities have unique insights of sustainable practices that have been developed over generations. Intercultural dialogue can provide a safe space to explore and facilitate the integration of traditional knowledges into contemporary climate strategies. 

Empowerment for marginalised communities – Globally, underserved, marginalised and Indigenous communities bear the brunt of climate change impacts. By creating space for intergenerational and intercultural dialogues, these communities can share their experiences, concerns, knowledge and hopes in future climate action plans. 
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Global solidarity – Climate change is a global challenge that requires global cooperation. Intercultural dialogue fosters global solidarity by connecting people from different parts of the world, promoting shared understandings and encouraging collaborative efforts to address a common threat. 

What is the role of creativity and innovation in building climate action and community resilience? 

Problem Solving -  Climate change is a complex challenge in need of innovative solutions. Creativity helps to develop new approaches, strategies and technologies, for mitigating and adapting to climate change and enhancing community resilience. 

Community and youth engagement – Creativity can engage the whole community in climate action. Storytelling, artistic expression and interactive approaches can not only raise awareness, but foster a sense of ownership that can motivate collective efforts toward building resilience. Harnessing this creativity is vital for sustainable climate action.  

Cultural and historic preservation - Creativity offers an important route into preserving and integrating traditional knowledge and practices into modern climate-resilience strategies. Creativity can harness the importance of cultural heritage in shaping community identities and responses to environmental challenges. 
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Collaboration and Networking with diverse perspectives - Creativity thrives on diversity. Bringing together diverse individuals and groups fosters innovative and inclusive thinking. Creative collaborations can share ideas and best practices with such knowledge exchange enhancing the collective capacity for climate action and resilience building. ​

Who are the people behind Younity4Action?  ​

​Lisa Jones is educational and social researcher from the University of Hull whose research focuses on addressing social inequalities and injustices, including those relating to the climate crisis. Her work uses participatory and creative approaches with young people and underserved communities.  She is committed to co-creation and working collaboratively with communities and across borders.  

​Katie Parsons is a transdisciplinary researcher at Loughborough University.  Katie uses her extensive experience as a practitioner and training to employ a range of creative and participatory methodologies, that are grounded in the principles of play, creative and outdoor therapy, to facilitate meaningful engagements and collaborations based on the problems faced within the climate and biodiversity crisis. ​