Partnering for Climate Justice

madisonbachmann
Apr 29
2 min read

At Proteknôn, we believe climate change is not only an environmental issue—it is a profound child rights issue. Children have the right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment, and their voices must shape the solutions that impact their lives and futures. Since 2019, we have worked with international organizations to integrate climate change into child protection frameworks, using participatory approaches that center children’s experiences, rights, and agency.

Partnering for Climate Justice: Our Work with Kindernothilfe

Our collaboration with Kindernothilfe, a global child-focused organization, demonstrates Proteknôn’s commitment to advancing child rights within the context of the climate crisis. In 2023–2024, we supported Kindernothilfe in developing its first Global Programme Strategy (GPS) on climate change and children’s rights.

Through this partnership, we worked together to build strategies that prevent and address the negative impacts of climate change on children, while promoting their rights and amplifying their voices. Key initiatives included:

Mapping rights violations and gaps: We conducted a comprehensive child rights-based analysis, integrating children’s perspectives and disaggregating findings by gender and diversity.
Conducting child-friendly causal analysis: Using accessible, participatory tools, we explored how climate change affects children’s rights and wellbeing.
Analyzing duty bearers and stakeholder capacities: We identified strengths and areas for improvement within Kindernothilfe’s systems.
Assessing participation opportunities: We evaluated how children’s engagement could be strengthened across programmes.
Identifying promising practices: We spotlighted innovations and gaps to guide future action.

Amplifying Children's Voices

A highlight of this collaboration was expanding direct consultations with children and young people. Building on work from Dialogue Works, Proteknôn developed guidance that enabled additional consultations involving 280 children across 14 countries—69% of whom were working children.

These consultations provided a platform for children to express how climate change impacts their rights, identify root causes, and propose solutions—ensuring that their lived experiences drive strategic priorities.

Transforming Insights into Action

Proteknôn’s team of child protection and climate experts worked closely with Kindernothilfe’s staff, partners, and young people to translate insights into a robust strategic framework by:

Reviewing existing situation analyses and identifying new trends.
Facilitating a child rights-based analysis process through online and in-person workshops.
Co-developing a theory of change and a comprehensive action plan.
Preparing a detailed final report and an accessible summary report for wider use.
Crafting Kindernothilfe’s 10 Key Messages on Climate Justice, Children’s Rights, and Calls for Action—a White Paper providing clear guidance for advocacy and action.

The result is a strong Global Programme Strategy on climate change and child rights, along with a replicable analytical framework for future climate-related child rights assessments.

Our Commitment: Centering Children in Climate Action

This collaboration reflects Proteknôn’s ability to bridge child protection and climate justice through inclusive, participatory approaches. We work alongside organizations to design practical strategies that uphold children's rights, empower marginalized voices, and drive systemic change.

At Proteknôn, we believe meaningful child participation is not optional—it is essential for building a just and sustainable future for all children. For more information on Proteknon's climate work, download our brief below.