People

Climate solutions created by frontline communities work better, cost less, and are the only way to respect the human rights of the people affected. CJRF envisions a world where frontline communities are leading the way to a more just and resilient future for everyone.

CJRF’s Intersectionality Statement

CJRF takes an intersectional approach, putting people at the center of our work. We recognize that different forms of systemic oppression, discrimination, and domination (such as racism, sexism, ableism, colonialism, homophobia, and others) intersect and impact people and communities differently. We recognize these intersections often result in the marginalization from decision-making spaces of people who hold multiple identities, which are often context-specific. We value and promote interventions and practices that shift power to those most impacted by intersecting forms of oppression. It is our hope to empower and to recognize and uplift their contributions to better address the causes, impacts, and solutions of the climate crisis, ultimately fostering human rights and dignity. 

The Board agreed to review this statement annually and update it as needed.   

For CJRF’s first phase of grantmaking, from 2017-2022, we focused on the following constituencies:

Women

Women are powerful change agents in their communities. They are the first to respond to crises and they make key decisions on food, water, and health. Unfortunately, social and cultural structures often keep women out of public decision-making processes, limiting their ability use their voices to shape responses to climate change.

CJRF seeks to amplify women's voices in climate decision-making, build women's leadership, and foster climate action that addresses women's needs and concerns. 

youth

With their energy, creativity, and willingness to reject the status quo, today’s youth are driving change locally and at international levels through entrepreneurship and grassroots movements. In many countries in the Global South, young people represent a large and still-growing population segment that could shape a powerful set of resilience solutions with the right skills and opportunities.

CJRF seeks to help raise youth voices and support youth-led resilience solutions as a critical element of transforming public perception of climate change and ensuring climate resilience grows up alongside this generation.

Indigenous Peoples

Indigenous Peoples cultivate resilience by relying on and living in touch with the land. Many Indigenous communities have tapped their deep well of traditional knowledge to adapt, often decades before the global community even recognized the scope of the challenges we face. However, Indigenous Peoples' resilience is frequently challenged by histories of poverty, repression, and marginalization which continue today in many places.  

CJRF seeks to help ensure that climate decision-making addresses Indigenous Peoples’ priorities and that indigenous communities have the rights and resources they need build and scale their own climate solutions.