Activism, local action, fighting for the betterment of local communities and education and advocacy efforts were discussed by those participating in the Green Advocacy Academy: Nothing About Us Without Us project.

On September 7, 2023, the first online meeting was held, kicking off a series of workshops and events for young people, implemented with the support of the Embassy of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

The meeting began with the story of the struggle between David and Goliath, i.e. the story of Marzena Waligóra: an activist of the Tarnów Rospuda Association, a gardener who has been growing tomatoes for 30 years and at the same time was forced to fight against industrial farms.

We will not be able to build our own happiness if our surroundings are not happy,” Alicja Pacewicz, an expert in the coalition Network of Social Organizations (SOS) for Education, co-founder of the Center for Civic Education, thus referred to Marzena Waligóra’s statement, stressing that there is always one person who wants to change the surrounding reality and repair the world and thus sets an example for others, mobilizing them to act.

Bartlomiej Gawrecki, advocacy coordinator of the Green REV Institute, a lawyer who is responsible for implementation and advocacy for a sustainable food system in the Future Food 4 Climate coalition, talked about advocacy and watchdog activities for food system repair carried out at the EU, national and local levels.

Credit: REV