Policy Lab „Change Makers" – Climate and Security

The German – Israeli pilot project deals with the issues of climate change and security in both countries.

The Policy Lab „Change Makers" is a joint project of the Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) and the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF), which was designed in co-creative process together with a group of young experts from Germany and Israel. The Policy Lab focused on the links between climate change and security in the context of German-Israeli relations, as the consequences of climate change hold significant potential for conflict at various levels.
As part of the Policy Lab, 22 young activists between the ages of 18 and 25 from Germany and Israel came to Berlin in August 2023 to learn about and discuss topics related to climate change and security. The week in Berlin was not only about engaging with experts from climate and security politics or gaining insights from the start-up sector, but also about fostering creativity and developing own micro-projects to enhance societal understanding of the nexus of climate change and security.
The second meeting of the Policy Lab was scheduled to take place in Haifa, Israel, from October 5-11, 2023. However, due to the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, we had to cancel the Policy Lab. Since then, the Policy Lab and the work on the micro-projects have been suspended.

Project sponsor: Foundation Remembrance, Responsibility and Future (EVZ) and the German-Israeli Future Forum Foundation (DIZF)
Project implementation: GreenXchange e.V. (Germany) and EcoPeace Middle East (Israel)
Funding period: 2022–2024
Funding amount: 100,000 euros
Funding countries: Germany, Israel

Voices from Policy Lab participants

Julia

“The young generation is the one that’s affected the most by climate and security issues. So we should really work together.”
Idan

“It’s building bridges between people on a friendship basis that we can continue and work together towards the same goal.”
Charlotte

“What I envision is better cooperation in the things we are strong in.”
Alina

“Climate change doesn’t know any boarders and the bottom line we need all to work together in order to fight climate change.”
Linus

“To talk about climate and security, that nexus that deserves way more attention than it gets right now.”
Noam

“The Policy Lab brought together serious and knowledgeable changemakers that brainstorm and think together of how to create just an optimistic solution.”