European Climate Mobility Justice Academy

Beyond Climate Collaborative is delighted to launch our first Climate Mobility Justice Academy regional course on climate-related mobilities in the European context: the European Climate Mobility Justice Academy (ECMJA), a 4-week online course taking place August – September 2026. Applications open in May 2026 - stay tuned!

Location

Online (via Zoom)

Date

Aug 17, 2026
 - 
Sep 11, 2026
Learn more

Contents

Brief Overview

The Climate Mobility Justice Academy (CMJA) of Beyond Climate Collaborative (BCC) is proud to launch the first edition of the European Climate Justice Academy (ECMJA), in partnership with Climate Outreach, the Climate and Migration Coalition, and Youth and Environment Europe.

The effects of climate change are being felt acutely across Europe with the continent experiencing record-breaking heat waves, wildfires and floods in recent years, with 866,000 internal displacements caused by disasters in Europe and Central Asia by the end of 2023 (IDMC, 2024). For example, Greece recorded the highest numbers, with 91,000 displacements reported, of which 76,000 were linked to wildfires. Despite these trends, climate mobility research, policy and practice in Europe is lacking. This gap is partially due to an existing bias that that movement, including forced and voluntary migration and displacement are the ‘problems’ and responsibilities of sending nations aboard, ‘othering’ those who move (Nash, 2023), which reinforces geographic inequalities in climate mobility discourse, and can perpetuate harmful dichotomies in climate adaptation and wider popular debates - often rooted in xenophobia, anti-immigrant and/or colonial mentalities (Piguet et al., 2018; Mayrhofer and Ammer, 2022). Centering a critical and decolonial perspective, the ECMJA is designed to challenge Eurocentric framings that externalize displacement to the Global South while ignoring Europe’s own historical role in driving global climate vulnerabilities and shaping migration regimes.  

By situating Europe within these broader legacies of extractivism, colonialism, racialized governance, and uneven responsibility for both climate impacts and migration management, the ECMJA encourages participants to interrogate dominant narratives and envision more just approaches to mobility, protection, and adaptation. It is essential to offer a course dedicated to these crucial questions to fill the knowledge gap, challenge harmful narratives, and equip participants with the tools to critically engage with and address climate-related mobilities in a European context.

Course Structure & Key Dates

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The ECMJA 4-week curriculum explores the multifaceted dimensions of climate-related mobilities in Europe through an introductory keynote and six sessions, combining expert lectures, facilitated discussion, and two interactive workshops. Participants will engage with case studies, reflection exercises, and a personal workbook designed to consolidate learning.

All ECMJA sessions take place online via Zoom over four weeks, between August 17 – September 11, 2026, with two sessions per week convened between 15:00 – 17:00 UTC.

Part 0

Part 1: State of Climate Mobility in Europe: the Current Data and Research

Keynote & Session 1: Climate Mobility - Movement within Europe (August 17th)

Session 2: Intersections of Climate, Livelihoods and Socio-Economic Pressures (August 20th)

Session 3: Europe in the Global Picture of Climate Mobility (August 24th)

Part 1

Part 2: Understanding the Politics of Climate Mobility in Europe - Policy and Narratives

Session 4: Xenophobia and 'Threat' Framing - Deconstructing Climate Migration Narratives & Alarmism (August 27th)

  • ‍Workshop 1: Identifying and Deconstructing Alarmist Language (August 31st)

Session 5: The Status of European Policy on Climate Mobility (September 3rd)

Session 6: The Future of Climate Mobility Policy with the Current State of Migration Policy (September 7th)

  • Workshop 2 & Closing: Where do we go from here? Setting up a Climate Mobility Agenda in Europe (September 11th)

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Beyond the Classroom

Participants will have the opportunity to connect virtually with leading experts, fellow scholars, practitioners, and changemakers throughout the programme. Participants additionally gain access to shared resources and a new community of likeminded scholars and professionals.

We also encourage self-assessment and goal setting for participants through a personal workbook with reflection prompts and exercises.

Our Approach

Our approach is embedded in learner-centered teaching, where the focus shifts away from top-down content delivery to active participant engagement, welcoming ECMJA participants as a co-creators of knowledge in the learning process. Therefore, we ask that participants take an active role in their learning through engaged discussion, exploration, and problem-solving. Facilitators include interactive elements, model curiosity, ask open-ended questions, and create space for participants to contribute their local knowledge and lived experiences.  

Who should apply?

The ECMJA welcomes students, recent graduates, academics, practitioners and change-makers who work on fields adjacent to climate mobility (e.g. migration, climate change adaptation, environmental policy, and beyond). We welcome participants at different stages of their activist, research, advocacy and career journeys and encourage diversity – across geographies, backgrounds and disciplines. We do not require you to be European or based in Europe. Instead, we welcome applicants for whom the European focus of the programme is of interest and pertinent to your work or education.  

We encourage participation amongst change-makers who are passionate about advancing resilience to climate change and environmental shocks through disaster risk reduction and sustainable development, as well as those who champion human rights-based protection for those who move and those who stay to cope with the intensifying impacts of climate change, disasters and environmental degradation.  

If you are passionate about researching the nuances of climate-related migration, displacement and immobility, influencing new laws and policies, providing life-saving assistance in the humanitarian sector, engaging in sustainable development programming on climate change and mobility, or advancing just solutions to the climate-migration nexus, this course is for you!  

Eligibility

To be considered, applicants must have advanced English language skills to participate.  

In addition, applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria:  

  • Postgraduate student or recent graduate of a postgraduate degree program
  • ‍Academic (pursuing or holding a PhD)   ‍
  • Practitioner, including a working professional, community organizer, activist, or advocate in a relevant field (e.g. migration, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, social justice etc.)  

Note that exceptional applications from undergraduate students or applicants from non-traditional educational or professional backgrounds, who bring relevant lived experience are also encouraged to apply.

Attendance, Participation and Engagement Expectations

We expect participants to attend at least four webinars and one workshop. Participants are asked to do the accompanying readings in order to get the most out of the programme. We further encourage active participation which includes contributing verbally to class discussions or group activities; engaging through the chat or polls during live sessions and keeping your camera on when possible.

We expect our participants to adhere to all ECMJA Community Ground Rules for an Inclusive & Respectful Classroom Space, which includes treating each other with dignity and respect; listening to and learning from participants’ points of view while recognizing that there may be difference of opinions and disagreement; respecting peers and instructors when constructively critiquing their ideas and listening to understand; keeping discussion and comments on topic and relevant to key themes of the ECMJA; and a zero tolerance policy on the use of inflammatory, offensive or profane language.

Program Fees & Financial Assistance

While we wish that we could offer the ECMJA free of charge, a lot of hard work goes into making this course possible, and we believe it is important to support the team who makes it all happen!  

The standard participation fee is €495.  

Accepted applicants will be expected to confirm their enrolment and pay the programme fee shortly after receiving an offer in late-June / early-July.

Financial Assistance

We recognize that not everyone has equal access to financial resources. For this reason, we offer a limited number of scholarships for applicants who would otherwise be unable to participate.

These places are reserved for those facing significant financial barriers, with priority given to individuals who have experienced impacts on their lives through displacement, dispossession, climate-related disasters, as well as grassroots organizers and frontline advocates whose work constrains their access to income or stability.

Financial support is limited and highly competitive. We appreciate that if you are in a position to pay the full fee, choosing to do so creates space for someone who cannot. Your contribution directly enables the participation of those who would otherwise be left out — and that generosity is what makes this community possible

Requesting assistance does not guarantee that it can be offered. All requests are assessed through the application form and treated as strictly confidential.

Legal Notice

As an organisation operating under U.S. jurisdiction, we are required to comply with regulations administered by the United States executive branch, including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC). In certain cases, these regulations may limit our ability to process payments or provide services or financial support for individuals in certain countries or jurisdictions.

How To Apply

Applications will only be accepted through the following application form. Applicantions for the 2026 ECMJA open in May 2026 - stay tuned!

What you can expect on the online application form:  

  • Provide general information (e.g. name, email address etc.);  
  • Comprehensively answer questions about your motivation and interest to enroll;
  • If applicable, request consideration for scholarships and confirm how your situation aligns with the purpose of the scholarship support.  

We will assess our applicants on the following criteria:  

  • Meets eligibility requirements;
  • Demonstrable interest in researching, advocating, and/or changemaking around topics addressed at the ECMJA;  
  • Indication that participating at the ECMJA will aid the applicant in (future) research, advocacy, and changemaking pursuits and career development;
  • Indication that the applicant will be actively engaged during ECMJA sessions and seminar discussions, contributing to a respectful and enriching dialogical forum.

Application process:

  • Call for Applications opens: May 2026 - stay tuned!

Get in touch:

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at cmja@beyondclimatecollaborative.org. We’ll get back to you soon.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We’ll get back to you soon.

info@beyondclimatecollaborative.org

In partnership with:

Youth and Environment Europe
Climate Outreach
Climate and Migration Coalition
ISCM 2025
"At ISCM, we were not only taught, we were given practical and real live situations including possible solutions to these climate related issues. All the classes and seminars were very interactive and peoples voices were heard, for once I felt heard in a multitude of people being mostly one of the few participants who spoke strongly about the creative community in relation to climate change and climate stories. Initiatives like this should really be applauded and truthfully magnified and anyone ho calls themselves an activist or an advocate should go through this course."
Ahamefula Chibuzor Adora Richard
CEO/Founder
3rdyearts Art and wellness Community (Nigeria)
ISCM 2025
"Well done on the organisation, seamless! Thank you for showing up with your entire selves, and as such inspiring people to do the same. Well structured, clear and logical programme, great lecturers, and engaging."
Lene Pritchard
Development Coordinator
University of Queensland (Australia)
ISCM 2025
"Participating in ISCM as a representative of mountain community was deeply affirming. The program bridged academic rigour with lived realities, offering space to reflect critically on climate mobility from Indigenous, decolonial, and justice-based perspectives. I especially valued the diverse voices, interdisciplinary framing, and openness to non-Western epistemologies. Joining ISCM felt like coming home to a global community that cares deeply about justice, place, and people on the move. As an Indonesian from rural regions, I often feel our stories are missing from climate discussions, but here, I felt heard. The sessions challenged and inspired me, not just intellectually, but emotionally. I walked away with a stronger sense of purpose, new friendships, and language to speak about the things my community lives every day. I’m deeply grateful for this space."
Riza Annisa Anggraeni
Project Leader
Project Sonorou (Indonesia)
ISCM 2023
"The seminars were a highlight for me; the intimate setting allowed for deep discussions and genuine connections with fellow participants. Engaging in the online discussion forums and completing the weekly reading assignments enriched my understanding and broadened my perspective"
Valerie Quintero Borrero
Universidad del Valle & Université Aix-Marseille (France)
ISCM 2023
"The experts that presented during the lectures and those who moderated the seminars were very open to questions and felt like they were learning along the way with the participants"
Radwa Adel Hassan Adawy
SOAS University of London (Egypt)
ISCM 2023
"This is exactly what I was hoping to achieve from the ISCM—a global and interdisciplinary overview of climate migration that would help me better understand how the specific issues I confront every day in my work fit into the bigger picture"
Vanessa Rivas-Bernardy
Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services (USA)
ISCM 2024
“My experience with the ISCM was transformative and enlightening. Collaborating with over 100 diverse scholars and practitioners Globally, we delved into the intricate challenges of climate-related (im)mobilities. Over six weeks, the program provided a robust educational journey, fostering critical analysis and dialogue across social sciences, environmental studies, and development disciplines during lectures and seminars. Expert insights and firsthand accounts of climate impacts enriched my understanding, guiding me towards creating inclusive and sustainable solutions to impacts of climate change on vulnerable communities worldwide”
Dr. Lucy Mandillah
Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (Kenya)
ISCM 2022
“The platform is one of a kind and probably the only one to help unravel the many facets of climate change and migration in a holistic and interactive manner. It has helped me humanise an otherwise seemingly distant phenomenon like climate change”
Anonymous Participant
ISCM 2023
"The ISCM provided a platform for me to collaborate with like-minded activists and develop practical strategies to raise awareness and drive policy changes. Inspired and empowered, I came to my workplace ready to amplify my voice and make a meaningful impact in the fight against climate-induced migration"
Hasibul Hasan
Global Youth Mobilization & Bangladesh Youth Environmental Initiative (Bangladesh)
ISCM 2023
"My experience with the International School on Climate Migration (ISCM) has been nothing short of transformative. Attending the summer school served as a significant springboard for my career, particularly in relation to my passion for studying climate migration"
Kolade Victor Otokiti
University of Groningen, Netherlands (Nigeria)
ISCM 2022
“It was one of the most refreshing programs with diverse themes, current issues anchored in a range of complex social, political, economic and environmental dynamics”
Dr. Kebede Kassa
IGAD (Ethiopia)
ISCM 2023
"The ISCM was an eye-opening experience for me, a first-generation learner and internal climate migrant, as we delved into the complex world of climate change, mobility, refuge, and migration. Connecting with experts and peers, I learned about the global impact of climate-induced displacement, inspiring me to contribute towards a sustainable future and igniting a passion for environmental advocacy"
Prashant Jibhakate
Tata Institute of Social Sciences (India)
ISCM 2024
“I loved learning from all the many different experts, scholars and practitioners that came to every class, as well as sharing this space with students from all over the world. In particular, it think the perspectives, experiences and case studies shared from the Global South enriched the School in a very unique way. And the integration of critical discussions about race, ethnicity or gender made the classes more engaging and challenging. After these 6 weeks, I left with more questions than answers - in a way that it has encouraged me to keep diving into the topic of climate (im)mobilities”
Esther Montesinos Calvo-Fernández
University Cork College (Spain)
ISCM 2022
“The ISCM has been a very enjoyable experience! I learnt a lot from the speakers and also from the other participants. I find it really reassuring to see so many people around the world interested in Climate Migration and eager to find solutions... After the class, I was even more eager to continue researching on this topic and had more questions/ideas for future research."
Justine Julia Yvonne
FLASCO University, Argentina (Ecuador)
ISCM 2023
"To begin with, my entire preliminary understanding of climate migration was completely shaken and rebuilt with the introductory week that focused on 'Multiple and Complex Drivers and Agency in Climate- related (Im)Mobilities.' Grappling with the multi-layered concepts of (Im)Mobilities and Agency for the first time was a truly enlightening experience. Similarly, the other weeks that followed, each broke a nascent understanding of mine on a particular issue and alternatively built a highly dense foundational understanding"
Philo Magalene A
Protect Our Planet Movement (India)
ISCM 2024
“ISCM was the community I didn't know I needed. I learned so much over the six weeks, and the fact that the speakers came from everywhere and brought with them knowledge that I could not otherwise have found if I stayed in places where I usually am (e.g. UNFCCC, Philippine policy landscape, even the confines of school) helped in create an enlightening and informative school. The reflections of the other participants were always thought-provoking, and it was a really crucial - and safe - space for me to learn, unlearn, and relearn things"
Jameela Joy Reyes
Manila Observatory, Friends of the Earth Philippines (Philippines)
ISCM 2022
“What a remarkable venue for bringing together climate and migration researchers and practitioners from across the globe, opening spaces for sharing insights, experiences, and outstanding questions from multiple perspectives from the personal to the legal and everything in between.”
Dr. Jeremiah D. Osborne-Gowey
University of Colorado Boulder (USA)

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