Radical kinship in a fractured world. The Women, Faith, and Climate Network as a safe space, a community of practice, a community of care

The discussion around the value and future of WFCN took place at a time of great uncertainty and in what was called a “season of drought”. Against that background a strong sense emerged of the Women, Faith, and Climate Network becoming a vital community for action, grounded in shared values, trust, and mutual care.

This was reflected in the way participants engaged with one another, including through shared moments of reflection linked to Ramadan, Lent and Purim. These practices created a space in which participants could connect not only as professionals, but as spiritual individuals navigating complex and often overwhelming challenges.

Participants spoke of the importance of having a brave, safe space where they could share both successes and struggles, and where relationships are prioritised alongside outcomes “Never has community or relationships mattered more”. “We need to lean into radical kinship in this fractured world.” This relational dimension of the Network was seen as a key strength, enabling deeper and more sustained forms of collaboration.

It was highlighted that such spaces are essential for building the trust required for radical collaboration and where “conversations turn to commitments, and commitments turn to action”. It was said that the value of the Network lies not only in what it does, but in HOW it enables people to work together differently.

Throughout the meeting the importance was underscored of increasing the visibility of women of faith as powerful agents of change for environmental sustainability in their local communities. WFCN is collecting and communicating stories of Women Leading Change, profiling individual members’ faith-inspired leadership across geographies and traditions.  Each participant at the meeting received a package of Story Cards. See the WFCN Story Hub here.

Scaling and sustainability: ideas from external advisors

Participants affirmed that women of faith networks are already addressing climate related challenges in their local communities across the world, and that replicable, scalable models of proven intervention exist.

The challenge outlined was how to go further faster to achieve climate goals by scaling up what is working. This involves moving from isolated examples to systemic approaches, from short-term projects to long-term strategies, and from individual leadership to collective action.

Recommendations on how WFCN can achieve scaling and sustainability were shared by advisors from the worlds of academia, campaigns and communications and the public sector. Each one affirmed the enormous potential of women of faith for positive impact for sustainable environments

Scaling from project to movement

The question is how the Network can add over and above the specific local project work: in other words,  how will it generate new work or make existing work better?

Recommendations:

• Learn how to connect. Actively facilitate friendship and relationships among members and grow community. We are a collective more than a network
• WFCN growth should be self-generating, seeded by great communications about what’s working at the local level and by the draw of the benefits of connection and learning exchange
• Empower voluntary, self-driven action
• Grow horizontally with decentralized leadership and regional and local WFCN Hubs
• Engage more young people of faith

Resourcing the Network

Recommendations:

• The question was asked “if this network is to be sustainable why are all members not making a contribution?” WFCN should have a sliding scale membership fee.
• WFCN members can second staff to WFCN to cover specific functions
• “Our grandmothers did it without resources.” We must also pay attention to other currencies and other ways of thriving. Non-financial, in-kind contributions are very valuable. Harness the power of volunteers
• Jointly fundraise with WFCN member organizations
• Provide support to WFCN members in seeking funding at the regional and local level

Fostering collaboration

Advisors recognised that there’s huge potential at the local level to collaborate.

Recommendations:

• Facilitate connections for women of faith with other organisations and knowledge bases
• Shine a light on and document collaboration itself
•  Intentionally explore possible collaborations among members to bring successful initiatives to scale

Share knowledge about what works, and training materials

Recommendations:

• Establish Communities of Practice. Complement, don’t duplicate existing platforms
• Collect and share an inventory of training programmes and tools
• At the sectorial level recognise the need for more training and share the training that exists

Focus

Recommendations:

• WFCN must define its niche and be selective and specific. Not everyone has to be involved in everything
• Be clear about the added value of WFCN. Refine the theory of change
• Focus on fossil fuel phase out. This was described as “the head of the snake”

Communicate and mobilise

Recommendations:

• Tell the stories of women of faith as change agents in their local communities and amplify those stories to create action for change
• URI’s AI-driven BOT for sharing stories from the field was mentioned as a great example of leveraging technology for communications
• Mobilise for advocacy and visibility of Women of Faith as climate change agents at key moments like International Women’s Day, Earth Day, COPs

Be emotional. Be spiritual

Recommendations:

• We are under attack. We have to be strong in our truth
• Be enraged, be impatient, be impolite
• We need passion, courage and a sense of self alongside empathy for the earth
• We must care for each other. Hold space for spirituality and mutual support with love
• Spiritual strength is needed. Women of faith share sacred activism. Women of faith are sturdy bridges to other denominations and faith traditions

Timing