Homeworks is a new collaborative project between the National LGBT Federation (NXF) and Common Knowledge aimed at bringing climate action solutions into the homes of communities in Ireland. Coordinator Aoife Hammond shares information on an Open Call for the new Homeworks Summer Residency for LGBTQ+ people focused on climate change and sustainability.

Are you interested in the intersection of climate and LGBTQ+ issues? Would you like to learn how to address climate change at home and learn practical skills to save energy and live more sustainably? We are welcoming applications for participation in the Homeworks Summer Residency for LGBTQ+ people.

From June 12 – 16, Homeworks will host a week-long and fully-funded residency project for LGBTQ+ people focused on climate change, sustainability and community resilience at The Common Knowledge Centre in The Burren, County Clare.

Recent studies have shown that LGBTQ+ youth are 120% more likely to experience homelessness than their cisgender, heterosexual counterparts and that housing instability, food insecurity, and general uncertainty about overall wellbeing are factors that contribute to extreme poverty and homelessness. The climate crisis exacerbates these issues (EarthDay – How Climate Change Affects the LGBTQ+ Community).

Based on the findings of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), it is evident that the most vulnerable and marginalised will experience the greatest impacts of climate change. Research has established the roots of climate change are tied with oppression (World Economic and Social Survey 2016).

During the period of the residency programme the Homeworks Team and residency participants will look at the collective challenges we face due to climate change as LGBTQ+ people, including issues with housing and the cost of living, whilst also celebrating and sharing the skills and knowledge that we can use and learn to take action.

At the residency participants will:

• Learn to use tools to mend, build and fix and learn the principles of permaculture before practicing these skills on-site building and planting.
• Learn about energy systems to develop skills to improve the energy efficiency of their homes.
• Look at finding affordable and creative ways to decrease consumption and waste.
• Learn to create shared resources like community gardens and sustainable projects in our communities.

The knowledge and information shared and skills developed by participants in the Homeworks Summer Residency will feed into a prototype climate action toolkit. This toolkit will then be used by other communities to take practical climate action in their community spaces. A second Homeworks Residency for community leaders and groups will take place in November 2023.

Fantastic opportunity in Clare with the Common Knowledge folks – @common_k_
Homeworks is hosting a Summer Residency for LGBTQ people this June, focused on climate change, sustainability and (practical) community resilience taking place in June 2023. https://t.co/SxL4HJvPmv

— oliver moore (@oliver_moore) April 3, 2023

Who can apply?

Anyone who identifies on the LGBTQ+ spectrum and is interested in taking climate action can apply to be part of the Homeworks Summer Residency. LGBTQ+ migrants, travellers, and older people are especially encouraged to apply.

You can find out more about the project and find the application form www.ourcommonknowledge.org/homeworks.

We are seeking a photographer, a workshop co-designer and a social scientist for specific aspects of the project. If you feel like you have the skills and would like to be involved in project please get in touch via [email protected].

The project has received funding from the Community Climate Action Programme, which is aimed at facilitating community climate action through education, capacity building and learning by doing. The programme is administered by Pobal and has been funded by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

This story originally appeared in GCN’s April 2023 issue 377. Read the full issue here.