11. Transition – social action – Urban Permaculture Education

11. Transition - social action

Duration: theoretical part 2 x 45 min

Transition and activism are closely linked in their aims to create positive changes in society. Transition focuses on community-led efforts to develop resilient and sustainable communities. It emphasizes the importance of local action, participatory decision-making, and fostering cultural and mental changes.

Activism encompasses a wider range of actions aimed at addressing social, political, or environmental issues. Activists often work for systemic change by raising awareness, mobilizing communities, and advocating for policy reform.

In this lesson, students will learn about the concepts of transition and activism, which are important parts of the movement. They will also learn about the essential steps involved in starting a transition initiative in communities.

Introduction / Background

The Transition movement has been growing since 2005. Transition groups and communities follow transitional principles and use participatory methods to imagine the necessary changes. They focus on initiatives such as renewable energy projects, localizing food systems, and creating resilient communities and green spaces. They promote entrepreneurship, collaborate with municipalities, and emphasize the importance of repair and retraining. Recognizing the potential of community-level action, there is a growing understanding that top-down approaches alone are not enough to drive meaningful change.

The Transition Movement was prompted by a combination of concerns for the environment, recognition of resource limitations, and a desire for community empowerment and resilience to global challenges.

Activism within the Transition Movement involves individuals or groups taking action to promote the principles and goals of transition at the local or community level. Transition activists work to create sustainable, resilient, and socially just communities by applying practical solutions and advocating for systemic change. They are involved in activities such as organizing social events, raising awareness of environmental issues, promoting renewable energy projects, supporting local food systems, and cooperating with local authorities and organizations. Transition activism aims to empower communities to take control of their future and actively participate in shaping a more sustainable and just society.

Steps to start a transition initiative in your community:

Research and Educate: Gain knowledge about sustainability, local environmental issues, and successful transition initiatives in other communities. This will help you understand the challenges and opportunities involved.
Identify like-minded individuals: Reach out to friends, neighbors, local organizations, and community leaders who share your passion for sustainability. Forming a core group of dedicated individuals will make your initiative stronger and more influential.
Set goals and create a vision: Define the purpose and goals of your transition initiative. What do you want to achieve? Be clear about your vision and communicate it effectively to attract others who want to join your cause.
Get the community involved: Organize community meetings, workshops, or events to raise awareness of the importance of sustainability and gather input from community members. Encourage dialogue, listen to different perspectives, and involve different stakeholders.
Collaborate and build partnerships: Reach out to local businesses, schools, government agencies, and nonprofits. Working with these entities can help leverage resources, knowledge, and networks to support your transition initiative.
Take action: Begin implementing specific projects and initiatives that are in line with your goals. These could be community gardens, recycling programs, energy efficiency campaigns, or educational workshops. Remember, even small actions can have a big impact!
Communicate and celebrate progress: Keep the community informed about your initiatives on a regular basis, share success stories, and encourage active participation. Celebrate milestones and achievements to maintain momentum.

A successful transition means finding a balance between:

Head: we act by the best available information and evidence, and direct our collective intelligence towards discovering better ways of living.

Heart: when we work we empathize because we value and pay attention to the emotional, psychological, interpersonal and social aspects of our work.

Hands: we turn our visions and ideas into concrete reality by initiating practical projects, because that’s how we create a new, healthier economy where we live. ( Transition Network, 2016)

Transitioning to a more sustainable community takes time and commitment. It is important to stay positive, be open to learning, and adjust your approach as needed.

* https://transitionnetwork.org/ – how to start transition activities and methods of inclusion and work of transition groups

Goal

To familiarize students with the significance of the transition movement and the process of establishing a transition initiative in the community.

Step by step/ How to

Plan and organize a transition activity in your school/local community
Familiarize students with examples of transition activities/events that you can find on https://transitionnetwork.org/ and the ways of their organization.
Discuss with your students what are the main problems that they recognize in their environment and that need to be addressed. Analyze the needs of your community.
Based on your capabilities and resources, decide how you can contribute.
Decide together how your activity/event will be organized and how responsibilities will be distributed.
Analyze what additional resources, members/schools/institutions etc. you need and make connections.
Connect with the local community and invite them to your activity/event.

Reflection questions

What are the negative effects of the way we produce, consume and communicate with the environment and the people in it?
Is it sustainable and how will it affect our future?
Is there a way local community members can come together to make positive changes and build resilient communities and a sustainable future?
What activities could be organized in my community? What are the possible obstacles to this and what are the prerequisites for the organization?
How can we contribute to the transition movement?

Learning objectives

Understand the importance of the transition movement and the reasons why it is crucial to initiate transition activities in our community. Learn the steps to start transition initiatives in the local community.
Recognize how to involve the local community in changes and activities aimed at preserving the environment, caring for people, and achieving sustainable and fair use of local resources.
Application of participatory methods in involving community members in transition activities.