Democracy’s Immune System Initiative
Grassroots climate justice movements as democracy infrastructure
Across much of the world, progress on climate goals is increasingly constrained by democratic erosion and rising authoritarianism. Governments are shrinking civic space and criminalizing dissent, while climate impacts intensify social instability and resource competition.
For climate funders, the question is whether societies possess the democratic capacity to implement, defend, and sustain the climate solutions that work.
The Opportunity
Grassroots climate justice movements are essential democratic infrastructure for climate mitigation and adaptation. Like an immune system, they defend against attacks on democratic participation and build the long-term resilience needed for climate action to sustain political disruptions.
Our Approach
Through the Democracy’s Immune System Initiative, the CLIMA Fund invests in grassroots groups that serve democratic immune functions.
Just as the immune system enables a body to adapt to disruption without losing its essential functions, climate justice movements help societies navigate ecological and political shocks without abandoning democratic participation, accountability, and collective decision-making.
To read more about movements, climate, and democracy, please see the CLIMA Fund brief “Why Grassroots Climate Justice Movements are Critical for Defending Democracy”.
If you are interested in discussing investment in this initiative, please contact community@climasolutions.org.
