Denver, Colo. —
On Election Day, millions of Americans elected new leaders for their communities. Many of the young people who will live longest with those decisions couldn’t vote yet. We are proud to announce that Climate Democracy Initiative (CDI) is the new climate action and civic participation partner with InnerView. Together, we are launching Climate Democracy Certificates, a program giving young people another way to be heard.
“Democractic action doesn’t start at 18,” said Hayley Reynolds, Program Manager at CDI. “Young people are using their voices and actions to show up for their rivers, parks, and neighbors every day. The certificate program helps them see that showing up in climate action spaces is civic power, gives them a path to use it, and invites others along for the experience too.”
CDI’s certificate program opens doors for high school students to discover the connection between caring for the environment and taking part in democracy. Through hands-on stewardship, identifying ways to engage in community actions, and leadership development skill building, students learn to spot local climate challenges, engage in civic processes, and lead solutions in their own communities.
“Among InnerView volunteers, we’re seeing growing interest from students seeking meaningful ways to engage in climate action, connect with others through inclusive conversations, and participate in democratic processes. There is a clear desire among young people to move beyond awareness and find tangible pathways to make a difference. Bringing CDI on as a subject matter expert and partner is an exciting opportunity to help meet that demand, strengthen youth voice, and connect students with meaningful opportunities to lead change in their communities.” said Kristine Sturgeon, InnerView CEO.
The certificates turn one-time events into an ongoing journey with visible milestones, reflection, and real community connections.
Students begin with the Climate Discovery Certificate, a five-step path: Notice, Serve, Understand, Connect, and Lead. Throughout the year they choose from six pathways: Healthy Land, Clean Water, Healthy Communities, Climate Preparedness, Community Voice, and Circular Communities. Students ready for more personalized leadership skill building can continue to the Climate Leader Certificate, a year-long cohort with workshops, expert panels, peer coaching, unique community engagement opportunities, and community leadership in action challenges. Students track their progress and share evidence of their work on InnerView, and earn certificates after a spring reflection showcase.
The program works with parks departments, conservation districts, watershed groups, local nonprofits, community groups, universities, and local officials. Such partnerships provide students the chance to learn from the people already leading the work.
To learn more about the Climate Democracy Certificate Program, contact
CDI
or
InnerView.
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CDI is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (EIN: 92-0943342) building people-centered systems with small and rural communities as they step forward, have a real say in decisions that affect them, and define the resources they need to shape their community’s future. Across our work, we’re ensuring communities create their own vision for development, preparing local leaders before climate disasters strike, and creating meaningful leadership opportunities for young people through environmental civics education.
InnerView
connects students with meaningful opportunities to serve their communities, develop leadership skills and demonstrate their impact. Young people ages 14–24 can discover and document service experiences, connect their actions to the United Nations Global Goals, and build a Service Impact Resume for college and career applications. Support from InnerView’s Champions of Change enables students, high schools and college clubs across the United States to access InnerView programs and tools free of charge.
