Finding your place in the climate movement: the European Climate Pact’s guide

Each year, Europe Day reminds us of something simple: this is a Union shaped by its people. Climate action is one of the most powerful ways to help build a more resilient and sustainable future. There’s a place for you in this movement, too – and we’re here to help you find it.

Why collective action matters more than ever

Europe’s future will not just be shaped in the EU institutions, but through everyday actions that build more resilient, competitive and innovative communities. 

It’s easy to think of climate action as something only for experts or activists. But in reality, anyone can get involved anywhere, anytime.  

This shared effort matters more than ever – and this is where the European Climate Pact comes in. The Pact connects people, ideas and initiatives, helping turn ambition into real change on the ground. 

So what could that look like for you? You can get involved at home or online, at work, or through activities in your local community. 

As Pact Ambassador Martina Nemčić from Croatia shared at the Pact’s Together in Action annual event in March 2026: 

“The solution is in the community. Working with people gives me hope that we can implement change and adapt to climate change – small changes in the community help me to keep going.” 

How to get started

If you’re not sure where to start, try talking. This could be a conversation with a friend or family member, a discussion at work, a post on social media – whatever works for you.  

This is one of the best ways you can have an impact in your community. Step by step, climate conversations can help you: 

• Connect with others: feel part of a community and a bigger movement where you have a place and can make your mark, just like others do
• Gain a bigger voice: when you start talking, you’ll quickly find other like-minded people – together you can have a bigger voice in decision-making and build momentum for local initiatives
• Fight climate disinformation: learn to detect and counter false and misleading information and champion constructive discussions 

In May 2026, Pact activities organised around Europe Day invited people to do just this. 

In Hungary, a family-friendly festival in Budapest sparked climate conversations through quizzes on sustainable living and games focused on environmental topics. 

In Germany, people had the chance to take part in a mock parliament at the European House in Berlin. Taking on the role of politicians, participants debated how the city can become more climate friendly in the future. 

And in Czechia, activities included debates, a live podcast recording and a slam poetry performance, showing there are many creative ways to get people talking. 

Check out these helpful tips for talking to people about climate action and protecting yourself from disinformation. 

How to find your place

Beyond talking to others, here are some more tips to help you find your place in the climate action movement. 

If you’re just getting started and looking for some direction: 

• Build on what you already do: start with things that are already part of your daily life and turn small actions into everyday habits
• Be prepared to learn: find reliable information, keep an open mind towards different ideas and perspectives, and see what other communities and initiatives across Europe are doing well
• Find your niche: you can take inspiration from other people, but think about your interests, what makes you different, and what you can offer to others – if you’re a good talker, why not join or organise community talks and debates; if you’re creative, try games and crafts; if you love the great outdoors, organise a climate walk to explore sustainable initiatives in your area 

If you need some inspiration, check out the Pact’s tools for citizen engagement and the Making an ImPact series of stories from the Pact community. 

How to amplify your impact

If you’re already engaged but looking to make a bigger mark: 

• Team up with others: climate change is a challenge that affects us all, so you should never feel you have to work alone – you just need to find the right people to team up with to grow your initiatives
• Build on your platform: small actions can quickly grow, so share what you’re doing and try to build some long-term momentum – in this way, you can try to drive bigger change 

At Together in Action 2026, several examples showed how this can look in practice: 

• World Cleanup Day began as a local action and has grown into a global movement. As Pact Ambassador Heidi Solba explained, it began with a single cleanup in Estonia in 2008, with 600 volunteers. Now, it involves millions of people from diverse backgrounds across over 150 countries, bringing impacts that go far beyond its initial environmental benefits.
• Citizen-led energy communities are bringing people together to produce and share clean energy while making their local areas more climate friendly and resilient to global events like energy crises. Ambassador Miguel Macias Sequeira shared examples from Spain and Portugal, which have grown into communities producing shared energy for local residents who co-invest in the initiatives. 

As Irish Pact Ambassador Kieran McCarthy said at Together in Action 2026, “a drop of water builds a river”, and these examples show if you start a small initiative locally, it might have the potential to grow far bigger than you’ve ever imagined.  

How the Pact and EU initiatives can help you do your bit

The Pact’s annual event and month-long series of Climate Action Days in March, as well as events organised around Europe Day in May, featured plenty of examples of collective action – but opportunities to play your part don’t stop there.  

In June and July alone, there are many more events and activities you can get involved in to learn more about sustainability and climate action, including:  

• EU Green Week, 3-4 June – check out the related #ForOurPlanet campaign, which features several stories from Pact Ambassadors doing their bit for the environment
• New European Bauhaus Festival, 9-13 June – the Pact will be hosting a stand at the fair, and Ambassador Ramona Daniela Dragomir will speak during the Forum
• EU Sustainable Energy Week, 9-11 June – includes the Pact-led session ‘Energy communities need you(th)’, featuring Ambassadors Gonzalo Esteban and Halina Jagielska and moderated by Partner FEDARENE
• EU Day for the Victims of the Global Climate Crisis, 15 July 

If you’re interested in energy communities in particular, check out the European Energy Communities Facility’s second call for proposals and EU Covenant of Mayors’ #HomegrownEnergy initiative’s resources. You’ll also find many other events by exploring our Interactive Pact Map. 

So what are you waiting for? Get involved in climate action today and you’ll soon find your place in the climate movement.  

You can also become a Friend of the Pact and keep an eye out for future opportunities to become a Pact Ambassador or Partner, which can help you take your work to another level.