Become a DesirMED Climate Ambassador: Join Europe’s Movement for Climate Resilience and Community-Led Environmental Action

Climate change continues to impact communities across Europe and beyond, making local action more important than ever. To help strengthen climate resilience in Mediterranean regions, the DesirMED initiative, supported by Climate KIC, has launched an exciting open call seeking 100 Climate Ambassadors who are ready to share their experiences, inspire others, and contribute to a growing network of environmental changemakers.

This initiative offers individuals actively engaged in climate adaptation, environmental stewardship, and community resilience the opportunity to amplify their voices while becoming part of a broader movement aimed at helping Mediterranean communities adapt to the realities of climate change.

Whether you have led community projects, supported local environmental recovery efforts, introduced innovative sustainability practices, or simply taken meaningful steps to protect your local environment, your experience could inspire others to take action.

What Is the DesirMED Climate Ambassador Program?

The DesirMED Climate Ambassador Program is part of the broader DesirMED initiative, an EU-supported effort dedicated to helping people in Mediterranean regions adapt to climate change.

Climate adaptation is becoming increasingly important as communities face:

• Rising temperatures
• Droughts
• Wildfires
• Flooding
• Coastal erosion
• Water scarcity
• Biodiversity loss
• Extreme weather events

The program recognizes that meaningful climate action does not always begin with major institutions or governments. Often, transformative change starts within communities through the efforts of determined individuals who identify local challenges and take practical action.

By highlighting these stories, DesirMED aims to:

• Inspire climate action at the local level
• Promote community-driven solutions
• Share practical adaptation experiences
• Create opportunities for peer-to-peer learning
• Strengthen climate resilience across Mediterranean communities
• Build a network of committed climate advocates

Why Become a Climate Ambassador?

Becoming a Climate Ambassador goes beyond simply sharing a personal story. Selected ambassadors become part of a community of environmental leaders working toward a more resilient and sustainable future.

Participants will have the opportunity to:

1. Inspire Others Through Their Experiences

Every climate journey contains valuable lessons.

Your story could help others learn:

• How to overcome environmental challenges
• How to organize community-led initiatives
• How to recover from climate-related disasters
• How to implement nature-based solutions
• How small actions can create meaningful impact

By sharing your experiences, you can motivate individuals, organizations, and communities to take action in their own regions.

2. Join a Community of 100 Changemakers

Successful applicants will become part of a network consisting of 100 climate ambassadors.

This community will provide opportunities to:

• Exchange ideas
• Share best practices
• Learn from other environmental leaders
• Collaborate on future initiatives
• Build long-term relationships with fellow climate advocates

The program emphasizes collective learning and collaboration as tools for driving climate adaptation.

3. Amplify Your Voice

Many local climate efforts remain unnoticed despite producing meaningful results.

The Climate Ambassador initiative helps showcase:

• Community achievements
• Local innovations
• Environmental solutions
• Personal journeys
• Climate adaptation success stories

This visibility can help broaden awareness of effective approaches to climate resilience.

4. Participate in Climate Events and Initiatives

Ambassadors may have the opportunity to participate in various DesirMED and Climate KIC activities, including:

• Adaptation Festivals
• Exhibitions
• Community engagement activities
• Knowledge-sharing events
• Climate resilience initiatives

Upcoming events are planned in:

• Greece
• Spain
• Cyprus

These events will provide opportunities for networking, learning, and showcasing successful climate adaptation efforts.

What Kind of Stories Are They Looking For?

The program welcomes a wide range of climate-related experiences and actions.

Examples include:

Nature Restoration Initiatives

Projects aimed at restoring local ecosystems, such as:

• Wetland restoration
• Habitat recovery
• Reforestation projects
• Biodiversity conservation activities

Tree Planting Campaigns

Efforts focused on:

• Urban greening
• Community forestry
• Reforestation
• Carbon reduction initiatives

Coastal Protection Activities

Actions to preserve and protect coastal environments, including:

• Beach conservation
• Dune restoration
• Coastal resilience projects
• Marine ecosystem protection

Community Recovery Efforts

Experiences helping communities respond and recover after:

• Wildfires
• Floods
• Storms
• Other climate-related disasters

Water Management Solutions

Projects involving:

• Rainwater harvesting
• Water conservation
• Sustainable irrigation
• Community water resilience

Environmental Education Projects

Activities such as:

• School gardens
• Community education campaigns
• Climate awareness programs
• Sustainability workshops

Local Innovation and Adaptation Solutions

Any initiative that demonstrates practical responses to climate challenges within a community.

Applicants are encouraged to share not only their successes but also:

• Challenges encountered
• Lessons learned
• Obstacles overcome
• Community impact achieved
• Future aspirations

Accepted Story Submission Formats

DesirMED recognizes that people communicate their stories in different ways. Therefore, applicants can choose the format that best represents their experience.

Accepted formats include:

Short Video

A concise video showcasing your climate action journey, project, or community initiative.

Audio Recording

An audio narrative explaining your experience and the impact of your work.

Photo Series with Captions

A collection of images documenting your climate action efforts accompanied by explanatory captions.

Written Blog or Article

A written submission with a maximum length of 700 words detailing your story, project, challenges, and results.

Applicants should ensure that all submitted materials are of good quality and clearly communicate their experiences.

Application Process

Interested individuals are invited to complete the official application form and provide information about themselves and their climate-related experiences.

The application form is available in multiple languages, including:

• English
• Spanish
• Portuguese
• French
• Italian

This multilingual approach helps make the program accessible to a broad audience across Mediterranean regions.

Click here to apply

Important Deadline

Application Deadline

31 December 2026 (CET)

Interested applicants should ensure their submissions are completed and submitted before the deadline to be considered for inclusion in the Climate Ambassador community.

About Climate KIC

Climate KIC is recognized as one of Europe’s leading climate innovation organizations and communities.

Operating as an independent, non-profit foundation registered in the Netherlands, Climate KIC works across Europe and internationally to accelerate climate action through:

• Innovation
• Collaboration
• Community building
• Climate adaptation initiatives
• Climate mitigation programs
• Capacity development
• Knowledge sharing

Its mission focuses on protecting nature and the environment while supporting practical, scalable solutions to climate challenges.

Through programs such as DesirMED, Climate KIC continues to empower individuals and communities to play an active role in building a more climate-resilient future.

Click here for more information on this program.

Conclusion

The DesirMED Climate Ambassador Program offers a valuable opportunity for individuals who are passionate about climate action to share their impact, connect with like-minded changemakers, and contribute to a growing movement focused on climate adaptation across Mediterranean communities. By elevating real stories from people on the front lines of environmental challenges, the initiative demonstrates that effective climate solutions often emerge from local action and community engagement. Whether your efforts involve ecosystem restoration, disaster recovery, environmental education, water conservation, or innovative sustainability practices, your story has the potential to inspire others and strengthen climate resilience throughout the Mediterranean region. With a deadline of 31 December 2026, interested individuals should take advantage of this opportunity to become one of 100 Climate Ambassadors helping shape a more sustainable and climate-resilient future.

Visit the Opportunities For Youth (OFY) website for more opportunities like this here.