A Guide on how one can Contribute 

We all want to live in a world that is fairer, healthier, and kinder. Many of us want to help bring this change, but where do we fit in?  Hint: there isn’t one right way and there is definitely something for you.

"In order to stay active in the long run, we need to feel alive in what we do."

Goal: To uncover what gives you energy. 

Helpful prompts:

• What moments in your life felt deeply alive or purposeful?
• What gives you a sense of belonging or connection?
• If no one judged you, what would you spend your time on?
• Who or what do you feel protective of?

Examples:

• “I realized how happy I am when teaching kids. That’s why I volunteer in a climate-education program for schools.”
• “I feel most alive when making music with others. So I started writing songs for local protests.”
• “Walking in wetlands makes me calm — so I joined a group restoring marshes near my town.”

"Recognizing your strengths allows you to contribute in a way that feels natural, not forced."

Goal: To recognize the abilities you have — whether practical, emotional, or creative. 

Helpful prompts:

• What do others often ask for your help with?
• Are you more of a detail person, a big-picture thinker?
• Do you prefer to be behind the scene or on the stage?
• Have you gained skills or useful experiences through work, hobbies, or challenges in your life?

Examples:

• “I’m good at listening without interrupting, and friends come to me when they need to talk things through. I realized this is a strength — it means I can support people who feel unheard in activist spaces.”
• “I’m good at numbers and spreadsheets — so I help my local group keep their budget transparent.”
• “I have a strong voice and no stage fright — so I volunteer as a speaker at rallies.”
• “I like to do yoga and meditation — so I help mediate in activist groups when tensions rise.”

"Looking honestly at what is needed helps us to avoid acting only from personal desires and instead for the benefit of everyone."

Goal: To understand where the world is calling for change — directing us towards real needs.

Helpful prompts:

• What injustices or environmental harms do you notice around you?
• What do you feel anger, grief, or urgency about?
• What issues are most pressing in your local community?
• Where do you see people already taking action — and what could support them?

Examples:

• “I kept noticing how expensive public transport is compared to driving. That frustration showed me that fair mobility is a justice issue. So I started joining a campaign for cheaper train passes.”
• “In my city, housing is too expensive, so I joined a tenants’ rights group.”
• “I was furious about a forest being cut down near my village, so I joined the resistance campaign.”
• “Many of my neighbors struggle with high energy bills, so I help run an info night on insulation and solar power.”

"The magic happens where your joy and strengths meet what the world need. This overlap isn’t fixed forever — it can shift over time."

Goal: To see the overlap and find the “sweet spot” where your contribution feels both meaningful, natural and impactful.

Examples:

• Joy: Cooking. Skills: being effective. Need: hunger and food waste. → I joined a community kitchen.
• Joy: Photography. Skills: storytelling. Need: media silence around refugee voices. →
  I began a photo project.
• Joy: Fixing bikes. Skills: initiation. Need: affordable transport. → I set up a neighborhood repair stand.

"Realism is not defeatism. By knowing our limits, we build resilience. A sustainable contribution respects both your capacities and your needs."

Goal: To recognize limits and challenges and how to work with them.

Helpful prompts:

• When do you lose energy or motivation?
• What overwhelms you?
• What personal circumstances (health, work, finances) must be considered?
• What support would make things easier?

Examples:

• “I get tired in evening meetings, so I focus on daytime tasks.”
• “I’m bad at long-term planning, so I teamed up with someone who is.”
• “I can’t afford to donate money, so I give my time instead.”
•  “I know I get anxious in large groups. So instead of pushing myself to speak at rallies, I focus on behind-the-scenes roles like designing posters.”

 "The important part is to begin in a way that fits your current life and energy."

Goal: To take the first step that fits your life right now — personal, local, or broader. 

Personal — a good idea to start with yourself

• Read or watch something that helps you understand an issue better
• Talk with a friend or family member about something you care about
• Change one small habit (food, transport, consumption, time use)
• Write down your values or dreams for the future
• Rest, recover, and find your boundaries/limits so you don’t burn out

Local — a great place to make a noticeable impact

• Join an existing group, meeting, or initiative
• Show up to a local event or gathering
• Start something simple: a shared meal, a reading group, a clean-up, a walk
• Offer your help or skills to someone who could use it
• Talk to neighbors, classmates, or coworkers about a shared concern
• Help organize or host something small and informal

Wider — reach far, and take part of something bigger

• Share ideas, projects, or reflections online
• Support a campaign, movement, or cause you trust
• Participate in consultations, councils, or assemblies
• Help connect people, groups, or knowledge across places
• Advocate for change through writing, art, or public conversation
• Influence systems through work, study, or policy

There is no single “right” role. Some people march in the streets. Some plant trees. Some write stories. All roles matter. The important thing is that your contribution comes from a place of joy, strength, and care.