Engagement with the broader community 

Camden CAN developed a community-centered approach to climate action, starting with a potluck to gather people and using tabling at local events and elections to raise awareness. They gradually built trust by hosting climate talks and partnering with local institutions. The local library, inspired by past community circles on racial discussions, became a neutral, accessible space where community members could connect and engage without judgment. At the core of their engagement were the Climate Conversation Circles at the library. These open-ended discussions, guided by restorative justice circle methodology, created a space for respectful dialogue. They also hosted targeted discussions on topics like climate transition and food gardening, making sure the space was welcoming to all. To keep people engaged, they developed a communication strategy that included a bi-weekly Substack newsletter (450 subscribers, 61% open rate), event links on Facebook, and video recordings of events hosted at the library to ensure accessibility for all. Camden CAN also prioritized accessibility by experimenting with meeting times to accommodate more participants. What began from personal climate anxiety blossomed into structured community action working groups focused on local solutions.

Robust community engagement is essential to cultivate the community enthusiasm and buy-in necessary to advance climate solutions in an equitable manner at speed and scale. There are various community engagement approaches and different strategies will work better in different communities.

1

3

Approaches to Community Engagement

Relationship-Based Engagement

People engage when they see a direct connection between climate action and the issues they care about most.

How to apply this approach:

  • Connect climate solutions to local priorities (e.g., flood prevention, energy savings, health benefits).

  • Frame the conversation around community concerns rather than starting with climate jargon.

  • Collaborate with groups already working on aligned issues (affordable housing, food security, transportation).

Example: WindowDressers Maine hosts workshops to build insulating window inserts, helping households save on heating costs, stay warmer in winter, and cut energy use by connecting climate action to affordability and comfort. (Window Dresser Plug and Play)

Project-Based Engagement

Issue-Based Engagement

Action-oriented participation can be a powerful way to get people involved. 

How to apply this approach:

  • Start with tangible, visible projects that provide quick wins (increasing composting options, community gardens, solar installations).

  • Provide opportunities for hands-on involvement rather than just meetings.

  • Celebrate milestones to maintain momentum and engagement.

Example: Four years ago, Great Diamond Island residents launched a volunteer-run composting program to reduce food waste. Steven Moore, an island resident, spearheaded the effort, asking the community to send him to UMaine’s composting school to ensure long-term success. The project faced early resistance over the compost site’s location, but after community discussions, they moved it to a more accepted spot. Over time, the program’s success inspired a local restaurant to start composting as well. Today, the membership-based initiative continues to grow, with workdays bringing the community together for learning and connection. (Composting Program Plug & Play)

4

Strong relationships are at the core of successful organizing. Community members are more likely to get involved when they hear from someone they know and trust.

How to apply this approach:

  • Start with personal outreach—meet people where they are (local events, churches, farmers' markets).

  • Build one-on-one relationships before asking people to show up for something.

  • Use informal gatherings like coffee chats or small group discussions to grow connections naturally. Structure these events so that relationship-building takes center stage, with prompts and time to foster meaningful connection.

Example: ACTT started by inviting neighbors to potlucks to discuss climate solutions informally. These conversations became the foundation for a larger community initiative.

Resources

2

Event-Based Engagement

Events can serve as powerful entry points to build community awareness and recruit new participants.

How to apply this approach:

  • Host interactive, welcoming events that make participation easy and fun (film screenings, workshops, local clean-ups).

  • Offer multiple ways to stay engaged after the event—sign-up sheets, follow-up emails, or volunteer opportunities.

  • Partner with trusted community organizations to boost attendance and credibility.

Example: ACTT hosts summer events called “Pizza in the Park”. At these events, pizza is served and community members write a climate-related topic they are interested in discussing with the group on a small piece of paper. The pieces of paper are all placed in a bowl, and the facilitator draws out slips, with about 3-4 topics covered in each event. This low-demand event is a good way to bring people together around climate change and increase both connection and understanding, leading to greater engagement. (Plug and Play)

A note about promoting community events and programs

ACTT has found that promoting events/programs through multiple channels is most effective. For our events, ACTT utilizes the following communication channels:

  • Posters

    • At key community locations including coffee shops, grocery/convenience stores, laundromats, town offices, banks, food pantries, gyms/community centers, other community events boards. 

    • Posters should include a short event description, date, time, registration details (if any), and a link and/or QR code for more information.

  • Re-sharing through community networks

    • Reach out to community organizations, committees, major employers, and community leaders to share events with their networks. We have found that this is one of the most effective outreach strategies because it expands your outreach and taps into the audiences of other organizations.

    • Ensure your list of organizations reflects the diversity of your community, especially the demographics you aim to reach.

    • Simplify the process for others to share your content. For example, asking other organizations to re-share your social media post.

    • ACTT develops promotional toolkits for major events/programs to make re-sharing as seamless as possible. It contains ready-made content like event descriptions, sample posts, flyers, email templates, and contact information for the project lead.

    • Share toolkits using Google Docs with view-only access to ensure easy distribution without editing permissions.

  • Local Newspapers and media. 

    • Share upcoming programs/events with local media outlets by sending a press release. Note that it’s important to ensure you are sending your release to the correct person at the news agency. Most agency’s websites will list the contact email for sharing press releases. 

  • Social Media Promotion. 

    • Social media posts can also be helpful for promoting events/programs, especially if members of your groups and/or other organizations re-share the post to their networks. 

  • Partner with other organizations/groups. 

    • Partnering with other organizations/groups can increase the event’s audience/reach. As an event partner, the organization is more likely to promote the event to their networks and bring their expertise and energy to community engagement and organizing.

  • Business sponsorships. 

    • You can also ask local businesses to partner or sponsor the event. By sponsoring the event, they may donate in-kind services or food (e.g., a pizza restaurant donating pizza). In exchange, offer recognition at the event, giving businesses positive publicity.

    • Encourage business sponsors to help promote the event by displaying flyers at their location and/or sharing the event on their social media platforms.