Climate and authoritarianism: A dialogue series for this political moment

In places with shrinking civic spaces, communities and movements responding to the climate crisis have been met with government actions to suppress dissent, criminalize protests, militarize the governance of natural resources and targeting environmental defenders. Yet, in the face of these challenges, communities and movements continue to resist with creativity, determination and using their local resources to respond to the this crisis that cannot wait.

Funder allies are now exploring ways to stand in solidarity with these movements and support their strategies for justice and resilience. The CLIMA Fund, in cooperation with the GFCF, invites you to a three-part funder learning series entitled Climate and authoritarianism: How movements are defending democracy. This series brings together grassroots leaders from climate justice movements across the Global South, alongside funders mobilizing in response to the rise of authoritarian tactics globally and in the U.S.

We’re in a rare and vital moment when philanthropy is turning its attention to authoritarianism. This series will provide political clarity and inspiration drawn from grassroots movements in the Global South. The series will respond to questions echoed across philanthropy:

1. What can we learn from grassroots movements that have long organized under authoritarian regimes?
2. How should philanthropy respond — not just reactively, but with courage and foresight?
3. Why and how can we fund at the intersection of authoritarianism and climate justice?

The dialogues will be organized on 9, 18 and 25 June 2025, from 9h – 10h30 PT/ 12h – 13h30 ET / 18h – 19h30 CET. You can register for any (or all) of the series here.