For the third year in a row Greenpeace, the leading international environmental group, has teamed up with Seventh Generation, the leading brand of non-toxic household products, to create a program designed to train and empower dedicated students to become the next generation of leaders in the global movement for environmental change.

The Change It program is an all-expenses-paid week of grassroots educational training, led by the experts from Greenpeace and other progressive organizations. Building on last year's success, the program will teach 140 dedicated full- and part-time students, ages 18 to 24, how to take on the toughest global challenge of our time – global warming.

Change It provides an opportunity for student leaders already committed to protecting the environment, leading social change and taking action to learn the skills and get the tools they need to become effective leaders. Students will emerge from the program armed with the knowledge and skills ready to engage in the efforts necessary to prevent global warming. They will understand why policy to reduce and eliminate global warming pollution must be based on current science, not political deals. They will also be equipped with expertise to recognize and combat corporate greenwash campaigns around global warming, where the corporation’s words and deeds just don’t match up.

The dates are:
July 16 – 21 in Boston
July 26 – 31 in Seattle

Speakers will include John Passacantando, Executive Director of Greenpeace USA, Jeffrey Hollender, President and Chief Inspired Protagonist of Seventh Generation, Dennis Hayes, founder of Earth Day, Judy Bonds, Mountaintop Removal Activist and Sophia Rabliauskas, Forests Campaigner.

Training sessions during this year’s Change It will cover topics such as Targeting & Power -mapping Decision Makers, Developing a Message, Systems Thinking, Lobbying, Action Media, Non-violence, and Coalition Building.

Change It participants will travel to Boston or to Seattle to work one-on-one with Greenpeace mentors, who will provide personalized training on campaign strategy, recruitment, and event planning. Students will also travel offsite to participate in a campaign event. And at the end of the week they will leave Change It empowered with the knowledge and skills to become leaders for change in the environmental and social justice movements.

All expenses, including travel, room and board, and the training program itself, will be covered entirely by Change It.

Who should apply?

Where and when is this all happening?

Do I need experience in activism to participate?

Find all the answers on our FAQ page.

Read the full program rules here.