JUSTCLIMATE PROJECT’S 3RD WORKSHOP IN SZOMBATHELY
On July 10th, Szombathely hosted the third workshop of the JustClimate project, which aims to democratise climate governance for the just transition and decarbonisation of the city of Szombathely.
The project’s first workshop was held in May with the aim of convening the Transition Team alongside key stakeholders from the community, setting the stage for collaborative action and meaningful engagement. The second workshop mapped out the climate neutrality-related projects, strategies, and ambitions of various organizations of the Transition Arena. The third workshop marked a significant milestone as participants delved into the Theory of Change concept, a strategic framework guiding the workshop’s structure and tasks.
The Theory of Change is a comprehensive methodology used for planning, implementing, and evaluating social change initiatives. It outlines the desired long-term goals and then maps backward to identify the necessary conditions, interventions, and indicators needed to achieve these goals. By defining the steps and relationships between activities and outcomes, it provides a clear framework for understanding how and why a desired change is expected to happen.
Throughout the workshop, the engaging and collaborative environment allowed for focused efforts across three dedicated working groups, each tasked with pivotal objectives.
The workshop had two primary aims:
- Mission Creation: Each working group was tasked with formulating a mission to be achieved at the city level by 2035. These missions are envisioned as transformative goals that align with Szombathely’s sustainability and climate resilience aspirations.
- Identifying Conditions/Outputs: To ensure the missions are attainable, participants identified specific conditions and outputs necessary for success. This step involved outlining the critical pathways and milestones required to achieve the set missions.
As participants worked within their groups, the Theory of Change model served as a guiding tool, ensuring that their strategies were both comprehensive and actionable. The dynamic discussions and collaborative efforts aimed to lay a solid foundation for Szombathely’s climate action plans.
Looking ahead, the project will culminate in a final workshop scheduled for early August. During this session, participants will continue to refine and complete the Theory of Change model for Szombathely, paving the way for actionable climate strategies that can be implemented over the coming years.
The JustClimate project’s workshops, particularly this third session, highlight a community-driven approach to climate action.
About JUSTClimate project
At its core, JUSTClimate represents a commitment to democratizing climate governance and fostering inclusive, participatory decision-making. Inspired by the success of innovation ateliers in the ATELIER project, JUSTClimate aims to establish a transition arena in Szombathely—a collaborative platform where stakeholders from all sectors converge to co-create solutions for decarbonization.
Central to the project’s approach is the integration of network governance and reflective co-monitoring, ensuring that the transition towards sustainability is just and equitable. Through climate policy workshops, co-innovation sessions, and the establishment of a citizen observatory, JUSTClimate seeks to empower local citizens, NGOs, industry players, and academic institutions to collectively shape the future of their city.
