We organize an international participatory project activity will be a visual storytelling event, which will include an online workshop about the power of visual storytelling in climate activism, awareness raising, and engagement as well as the development of short videos by rural citizens sharing their own ideas and visions of a green, inclusive, and prosperous rural future. The workshop will be held online by ANP|WWF, who have extensive experience in using visual storytelling in public campaigns, international communications, and climate advocacy, and will include practical advice and tools on how people can create immersive stories for environmental and social change. We will then encourage participants from rural areas all over Europe to create their own stories of a sustainable rural future or share what they are doing to transform their communities (using and sharing a dedicated hashtag).

The visual storytelling event will engage rural citizens in discussions about our climate and environment. This activity is especially suitable to Gen Z who are digital natives in many ways and natural and experienced content creators. The activity will provide a platform for rural youth to learn more about digital activism and express their views on local environmental matters and issues that are important to them. It is also an impactful way to mobilize and engage more young people in climate activism. It also has larger social benefits as storytelling is regarded by environmental communication experts as a more effective motivator for action than more data-based, scientific messages.