Shared Power, Shared Solutions: Bridging Climate Justice and Community Development
Shared Power, Shared Solutions: Bridging Climate Justice and Community Development
We cannot solve climate injustice with the same thinking that created it.
“Co-creation” is trending. But if it means just a workshop with good snacks, we’re not progressing. This session asks a bolder question: what does co-creation truly require? Drawing from years of community development and youth work, we’ll explore the real shared power — the patience, relationships, and facilitation skills that make participation more than a show. Community practitioners have been doing this long before it became popular.
We’ll also practise something bold in fast-paced climate spaces: collective curiosity. Instead of coming with solutions, we’ll work to uncover barriers to change with communities. We’ll ask what’s structural, cultural, relational, and what truly needs to shift.
If power doesn’t shift, nothing changes. If communities don’t own the solution, it won’t last. This is about moving from consultation to co-creation and understanding the courage and skill that involves.
During this workshop, we will:
- Gently (but honestly) question what “co-creation” often means
- Explore how power and decision-making work in climate spaces
- Outline community development principles that enable shared ownership
- Introduce adult education methods that value lived experience as knowledge
- Practise collective curiosity — uncovering barriers to change with communities
- Examine the skills needed for true power-sharing
- Explore real examples of community-led climate justice
- Identify practical tools that go beyond token participation
- Discuss the need for innovation.
- You can book places for yourself and/or colleagues by clicking the button below.
- This event will take place on Zoom.
- Closed Captions can be enabled by participants.
- Please email ames@wheel.ie if you have any special requirements.
Meet Your Facilitator:
Averil Rafferty is a community leader and climate and social justice facilitator with a knack for connecting the dots between sustainability, social equity, and collective action. She led a year-long national programme with the Rediscovery Centre, co-founding Ireland’s first community electric bike library, On Yer Bike Ballymun, while supporting the growth of community gardens, women’s cycling groups, and local repair and sewing initiatives.
She currently coordinates Athrú, a national community climate programme with Education for Sustainability, designing and delivering pilot initiatives that bring everyday climate justice issues to lesser-heard groups, the first pilot being delivered now to women in Coolmine Residential Addiction Treatment Centre. She has delivered a national webinar on Just Transition, championing community-led, inclusive climate action. Averil is driven by the belief that sustainable systems should tangibly improve daily life and opportunity for all.
Testimonials:
"Averil created such a warm and thoughtful atmosphere for our Build and be Heard session. We found it practical, thought provoking and fun! Would recommend to all sorts of groups."
Sam Marcus - Autism Supports Manager, AsIAm"Averil has brought a great awareness of sustainability and the circular economy to our community. She held a very successful clothes swap event and facilitated a sustainability workshop. She motivated us with a tree planting event and sourced bird boxes which were installed by locals. She also applied for various grants on our behalf, giving us the tools to effect change in our neighbourhood."
Mandy, Chairperson, Belarmine Residents Association, Stepaside
