Support the planning and implementation of the regional advocacy plan of the AFJ- Climate Justice Forum LAC region

Introduction

Climate justice advocacy and policy engagement is a key priority in the current Strategy of the Lutheran World Federation (2019 – 2024). The LWF has engaged with the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) for more than ten years as observer, contributor and participant in climate negotiations and other processes. Its longstanding commitment to climate justice encompasses building resilience, climate adaptation, and mitigation, as well as supporting communities affected by climate change impacts and undertaking advocacy from local to global levels.

The Action for Justice Unit is the advocacy hub of the LWF and accompanies member churches, World Service Country Programmes, and collaborates closely with ecumenical and faith-based organizations, civil society, as well as communities affected by climate change impacts. The LWF advocacy methodology is essential to accelerate actions needed to set up a pathway for a sustainable and resilient society and economy where we protect the environment as the foundation for all life.

Local to Global Action for Climate Justice is a global project in 18 countries that includes

Africa: Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Madagascar, South Africa, Ghana;

Asia and Pacific: Philippines, Bangladesh, Nepal, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and,

Latín America and the Caribbean: Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, El Salvador, and Cuba

The overall goal of the project is to accelerate climate action from local to global by boosting the global commitment to the Paris Agreement. The objectives of the project are:

• Churches and faith-based organizations (FBOs) in the project countries have increased their engagement for climate justice.
• By the end of the project, churches, FBOs and partner civil society actors in the project countries have effectively influenced national and regional policymakers for ambitious national and regional climate policies.
• National religious leaders, churches, and faith-based actors actively contribute to climate justice advocacy in international forums.

Target group is comprised by LWF member churches, faith-based leaders, and faith-based organizations, their congregations, and the communities from Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia, El Salvador, and Cuba also convened interfaith and civil society actors from local, regional to global levels, as well as National Government officials, policy makers.

Youth, women, and vulnerable people most impacted by climate change are the main focus of participation and discussion of the project to promote for equal participation of women and men ensuring 40% participation whether male or female.

The key stakeholders in this project are environmental and climate justice organizations from civil society as important allies and critical to reach the impact of the project, as are academia and the scientific community as resources and intelligence to ensure science-based actions are taken and evidence-based advocacy is employed for effective influencing and planned results.

AFJ Climate Justice Forums convene LWF constituencies, specifically Member Churches and relevant stakeholders, to facilitate joint discussions, strategizing, and engagement on policy, advocacy, and programmatic work at national, regional, and global levels.

Detailed Terms of Reference is provided below with instructions and deadline for application.

1. Objective of the assignment

Support the planning and implementation of the 2024-2025 LAC -AFJ Climate Justice Forum Regional Advocacy Plan.

2. Expected deliverables

The expected deliverables are the following:

• Inception Report: Detailing the methodology and proposed work schedule within two weeks of contract commencement
• Facilitate bi-monthly or monthly online meetings, as needed, with the core group members of the LAC-AFJ Climate Justice Forum to follow up on the implementation of their Climate Justice Advocacy Plan
• Facilitate the organization of the virtual /hybrid congress on climate justice
• Facilitate the organization of campaigns identified by the forum, such as the campaign about “No Plastic”, Earth day campaign and the “Road to Brazil campaign”.
• Support the organization of the “Prayer for Climate Justice and Action.”
• Facilitate the organization of at least two online events about the priorities for COP30.

Reporting about deliverables must include photos and videos of the meetings and will be prepared in English and submitted to the LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice electronically via e-mail.

3. Suggested time frame and period of the assignment

The total estimated number of working days is approximately 30 days between November 2024 – May 2025.

4. Methodology

Knowledge of climate justice, relevant stakeholders and the context in the region as well as a participatory methodology to involve participants in an active way are equally important.

The assignment is coordinated by the LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice.

5. Qualifications and Experience of the consultant(s)

• Proven experience in climate justice related work.
• Experienced facilitator
• Proven experience working with FBOs and the context in the LAC region.
• Proven experience in conducting online and face to face meetings with FBOs and churches in LAC region.
• Ability to communicate in Spanish as the activities and partners are from LAC.
• Excellent writing skills in English (for reporting).
• Knowledge of LWF, ACT Alliance members and relevant stakeholder working on climate justice in the LAC region.