About UKYCC
UKYCC Then and Now
We have been running for over 15 years, continually active in the climate justice movement and campaigning to tackle the most pressing environmental issues. Today, we have evolved into an organisation focused on engagement, education, and upskilling young people so that they can take part in the movement with a grounded connection to the cause – this includes working on local, national, and international scales.
Ethos
Our code of conduct is signed by all members, so that we act within our agreed values and mission. As a non-hierarchical organisation, these codes are written together. This is therefore a positive, transparent framework for pursuing climate justice, and which also benefits the climate movement as a whole.
Included in our code of conduct are provisions on transparency, caring for the community, interaction with the law, avoiding conflicts of interest, caring for UKYCC, intersectionality, and bullying and harassment.
- Amplifying Youth Voices
- Systematic Change
- Non-Violence
- Anti-oppression, Diversity and Inclusivity
- Independence and Freedom from Coercion
- Transparency
Impact in numbers
Structure
We are non-hierarchical and span multiple working groups. Our Board members also support our activities. We also have a dedicated Advisory Board, providing support to our members with their wide-reaching expertise.
Operations
The Operations Working Group sits at the heart of UKYCC! On any given day we might be pursuing fundraising opportunities to back new campaigns, overseeing member recruitment to build our capacity, or organising events that share knowledge and support members’ wellbeing. We keep all the essential parts of the organisation running smoothly so that UKYCC can do what it does best – mobilise and empower young people to fight for climate justice.
Communications
Our focus is predominantly on external publicity and communications, producing content that aligns with UKYCC’s vision and values. We operate the website and social channels to publicise our events and workshops, spotlight topical climate justice issues with other organisations, and liaise with media to create space for more youth perspectives
Community
We engage young people currently under-represented in the climate movement. We build networks and share resources among groups already in the space, striving to make the knowledge and skills necessary for justice movements more accessible. Our central belief is that community care should be at the heart of the climate justice movement.
Systems Change
Systems Change tackles the root causes of the climate crisis. We recognise that environmental justice is inseparable from social and economic justice, and our goal is to imagine and build a fairer future, by radically transforming systems of power. Our current activities include educating and engaging young people on alternative economic systems; and mobilising youth action at the intersection of climate and migrant justice.
Intersectionality and Accountability
We work to foster a safe, inclusive, and accountable environment across our organisation. Currently, the team is undergoing training in transformative equity, diversity, and inclusion, and practising ‘conversations across power’ to refine our approach to anti-oppression and conflict resolution. By incorporating these insights into our internal mechanisms, we hope to proactively address inequity and repair harm that can arise within activist spaces.
Policy and Advocacy
P&A aims to engage young people in political processes, and build ties with political actors, to embed long-term and intergenerational thinking into policy-making. Some of our current activities include mobilising young people as important voices in local and national elections, and campaigning for future generations thinking in public decision-making.
COP (Conference of Parties)
Dedicated to campaigning on the international stage, both between and at the two annual UN Climate Change Conferences. We work and train together to become campaigners, organisers, and advocates as part of the international youth climate movement. Over the last few years, the team has campaigned on the issue of conflicts of interest at COP, pushing for greater action to reduce the influence of the fossil fuel lobby at the negotiations.