In the last two quarters of the year, UN CC:Learn, in partnership with UN Climate Change and with the support of adidas, delivered the Spanish series of the training workshop series on Sports for Climate Action for Grassroots NGOs/Deporte Para La Acción Climática Para ONG Deportivas. With a combination of organizations from Spanish-speaking regions of the world, from Latin America, Africa, Europe, and Asia, a number of participants from various organizations participated in the training.
The insights shared showcased a rich tapestry of local climate action and community engagement delivered through the uniting power of sports. Experts from the United Nations University Institute for Environment and Human Security (UNU-EHS), Ecodes (Spain), and Onda Solidária (Brazil) guided participants on how they could take their actions to the next level across five interactive modules. Participants engaged with key topics, including the basics of climate change and climate action, community engagement, sustainable partnerships, and climate leadership.
Each session featured a rich mix of expert lectures, case studies from organizations around the world, and dynamic interactivities that spurred ideas and collaboration. Experience sharing from Colombia, Cabo Verde, Argentina, and the Philippines demonstrated the challenges often faced by grassroots organizations working in challenging contexts, but, more importantly, the innovations, partnerships, and community service they provide through sports as a platform for meaningful change.
The series concluded with an empowering session that encouraged participants to take bold steps in embedding climate action within their organisations and networks. The training series, piloted in both English and Spanish in 2025, demonstrated not only the power of sports to bring people together but also the potential of grassroots sports NGOs to lead the way in climate solutions through creativity and community.