In December 2008 and January 2009 Climate Advocates in Ukraine together worked with an NGO called ”Transport alternatives” and conducted a series of training on ”Cycling Advocacy” in Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk and Dnipropetrovsk. The training was aimed at creating a local movement of active cycling citizens, who will effectively develop a cycling culture in the region. The training covered a broad range of topics, including how to make the bike a popular means of transport, the rules of the road, as well as how to create modern cycle paths. By developing a cycling culture the advocates want to improve the environmental situation in Ukraine through a decrease of CO2 emissions and by encouraging citizens to become actively involved in the public life of their city. A long term goal is the creation of an all-ukrainian network of bike supporters.

To stop melting ice in the Arctic we need to start melting the ice between people and that is why we brought together over 40 climate advocates and climate champions from 17 countries and 3 continents at the British Council Partner Centre in Poznan during the 14th United Nations Climate Change Conference.Country delegates presented their climate activities and projects being a part of British Council Climate Change campaign in a friendly and receptive atmosphere, sharing successes, local experiences, and country news.

During a workshop hosted by Comhar Sustainable Development Council on 1 December in Dublin, the Challenge Europe S.O.U.L group* engaged key stakeholders involved in Community Food Initiatives (CFIs) on the island of Ireland to arrive at key policy recommendations for government in relation to Community Food Initiatives. The event was attended by approximately 20 experts from across Northern Ireland and Ireland, as well as the Irish Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargeant, who delivered the keynote address. Overall, the event was a tremendous success with lots of useful discussion and feedback. In January/February 2009, the S.O.U.L group members aim to undertake a public consultation of policy recommendations and after this time, a second stakeholder workshop will be held and final policy recommendations for Community Food Initiatives published.

*S.O.U.L. Food Growing Communities - (Seasonal, Organic, Unprocessed, Local)
The project hopes to encourage more people to grow their own food and this will be realised in three ways: Collaborating with community garden groups throughout the island of Ireland; supporting the formation of a Social Enterprise set up to practically address the issue of Food Miles; drafting a national policy on community gardens and other non-commercial horticultural initiatives.

AARHUS FILMFESTIVAL 08 – insight:outsight was on display between the 13-16 November 2008. With a main focus on experimental documentaries and short stories, the festival promoted awareness on global issues such as human rights, social and cultural diversity and the challenges around the present and future climate changes. These important headlines easily attracted about 2500 film lovers, and the festival was a great success. To increase the relevance of the festival the program was not only aimed at the adult audience. On the opening day 140 students from grades 8 -10  joined an early morning event, where a documentary called Recipes for Disaster (by John Webster, one of the Finnish advocates) was followed by a short debate about CO2 emissions, personal responsibility and possible personal actions. The audience had the opportunity to discuss these challenges with amongst others KaosPilot and British Council Climate Advocate Thomas Gjerulff, from the Danish branch of the Challenge Europe project.