Climate Innovation Leadership Program and The Journey Summer School
- Nierika Hamaekers
- 3 mrt 2023
- 4 minuten om te lezen
Bijgewerkt op: 6 apr 2025
The Climate Innovation Leadership Programme (CIL) is an initiative by EIT Climate-KIC to empower university students to become effective agents of change in the fight against climate change. The programme offers 3 learning dimensions: personal development, experiential learning (icl. The Journey Summer School), and inspiration.
Service: Impact Coach • 21st Century Skill Building
Client: 20+ Universities & Climate-KIC
Participant profile: Master-level University Students
Locations: Worldwide
Group size: 20 - 200 Participants
Duration: 1 Year
My challenge:
Guide students in personal and professional development towards climate action and systems leadership.
The value I added:
Led group & one-on-one coaching sessions
Led 3 summer schools of 40 students each, during 1 month, each time in 3 different European countries
Developed participants’ skills, such as leadership, conflict management, systems innovation & entrepreneurial thinking
Encouraged reflection & growth.
Outcomes:
Deepened knowledge
Improved credibility
Developed business ideas
Advanced careers
Enhanced personal development
Expanded network.
Impact Coach - How this service can translate into practice:
Unlock Your Potential with 21st Century Skill Building — a modern approach to preparing individuals for a rapidly evolving world through the development of crucial skills such as critical thinking, problem solving, and adaptability.
Some methodologies I use are…
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Next to coaching towards 21st Century Skill Building ,
I help individuals and teams with building and strengthening their Strategic Innovation ;
apply Learning Design to create Toolboxes and Bootcamps ; and
Facilitate & Moderate Team Days .
Testimonial
"Working with Nierika as a fellow Coach on the Climate Innovation Leadership Programme was an incredible experience. Her leadership, design thinking skills, and ability to co-create with the group was instrumental in empowering university students to become effective agents of change in the fight against climate change. Through Nierika's guidance, participants were able to deepen their knowledge, develop skills, and advance their careers towards climate action and systems leadership."
— Fellow Coach
Still curious?
21 Century Skills to solve Climate Change
In the 21st century, the world is facing a range of complex, interconnected global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, inequality, and political instability. Tackling these challenges requires a new set of skills and competencies that go beyond traditional academic knowledge. Developing 21st-century skills, such as complex problem solving, systems thinking, communication, co-creation, and collaboration, is essential for addressing these global grand challenges effectively.
Firstly, complex problem solving skills are essential for understanding the root causes and interconnections of global challenges like climate change. This requires the ability to break down complex issues into smaller, more manageable parts, and then develop innovative and effective solutions. Systems thinking is also crucial for tackling complex challenges, as it involves understanding the complex web of interconnected systems and processes that underpin these issues. Effective communication skills are essential for engaging diverse stakeholders and building coalitions to work towards shared solutions.
Secondly, the co-creation and collaboration skills are essential for developing and implementing sustainable solutions to global challenges. The nature of these challenges requires collaborative approaches that bring together individuals and groups from diverse backgrounds, cultures, and perspectives. By working together, these groups can leverage their unique skills and perspectives to develop more innovative and effective solutions that are tailored to the needs and realities of different communities.
Climate Innovation Leadership Programme & The Journey
The European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) is an EU body that aims to drive innovation and entrepreneurship across Europe. EIT is tapping into the need for 21st-century skills, specifically in the area of climate change, through its Climate Innovation Leadership (CIL) program and The Journey initiative (both from EIT Climate-KIC).
The CIL program is designed to train leaders in climate innovation by providing them with the necessary skills and competencies to lead the development and implementation of sustainable solutions. The program focuses on developing skills in complex problem solving, systems thinking, communication, and collaboration, which are critical for tackling the complex challenges posed by climate change. Through a combination of online and in-person training, participants in the CIL program learn how to develop innovative solutions to address climate change, engage with diverse stakeholders, and build coalitions to implement sustainable solutions.
The Journey is another initiative by EIT that is designed to help entrepreneurs develop the skills and competencies needed to succeed in the 21st-century economy. The Journey is an intensive six-month program that provides entrepreneurs with the tools and resources needed to launch and scale their businesses. The program focuses on developing skills in innovation, entrepreneurship, and sustainability, which are critical for addressing global challenges such as climate change. Participants in The Journey learn how to develop innovative solutions, create sustainable business models, and collaborate with stakeholders to achieve their goals.
Overall, EIT is tapping into the need for 21st-century skills in the area of climate change through its CIL and The Journey initiatives. By providing training and resources to entrepreneurs and leaders, EIT is helping to develop the skills and competencies needed to tackle the complex challenges posed by climate change and create a more sustainable future for all.
