Please note: this is a pre-print draft of the forthcoming CCI4Change publication to be published in Autumn 2025. If you wish to cite this material please contact cai.weaver[at]xamk.fi. Thank you!

Creative Climate Action Collaboration Model

A Structured Approach for Artist–Public Sector Collaboration in Climate-Related Projects

The CCI4Change Collaboration Model is a process-oriented framework that enables meaningful partnerships between local authorities, creative professionals, and intermediaries to address climate challenges — especially by addressing mindsets and behaviours trough public engagement. Developed through the CCI4Change project, the model helps stakeholders navigate complex, cross-sectoral collaborations by providing a shared structure, defined roles, and a cyclical process for co-creating impactful initiatives.

Who is this Toolkit for?

For Public Authorities:
Are you working in a municipality, city, or public organization aiming to reduce energy consumption or promote sustainable development? This Toolkit helps you explore creative methods that go beyond traditional outreach and policy tools.

For Artists and Creatives:
Are you a designer, performer, musician, game developer, visual artist, or other creative professional? This Toolkit equips you to collaborate with the public sector and contribute to the green transition using your artistic voice and methods.

For Intermediary Organisations:
Are you a developer, aiming to build bridges and support establishment of new collaborations between public authorities and creatives? This toolkit is also for you!

What Will You Find Inside?

Inspiring case studies from Finland, Latvia, and Sweden showcasing the CCI4Change collaboration model in practice!

Tools for local authorities and creative professionals following the collaboration model structured around four phases:

1. Identify - Begin identifying a local climate or energy-related challenge

2. Plan & Learn – Build skills, set roles, and prepare collaborations

3. Act – Launch creative activities and engage the community

4. Evaluate – Reflect, measure impact, and plan for continuity.

1. Action to Impact Analysis

2. Map of goal & collaboration (Stakeholder Map)

3. Key Actor Template

4. Roadmap for Collaboration

5. Value & Impact frameworks

6. Tips for Co-Creation

7. Tips for Citizen Engagement

8. Capacity Building Framework

9. Public procurement guide for CCI´s

10. Art related procurement guide for LA´s

11. Tips for Visibility strategies

12. Contract guide & template

13. Tips for Documentation and feedback

What the model offers:

A common framework and vocabulary for very different sectors to work together
Clarity around roles, responsibilities, and expectations
A roadmap for integrating artistic freedom with public-sector strategy
A tool for designing, facilitating, and evaluating climate-focused creative collaborations

The model is particularly suited for:

Municipal or regional sustainability efforts
Climate communication and behaviour change projects
Cultural initiatives seeking to create social or environmental impact

Programs and residencies combining art, policy, and civic engagement

Are You a Public Authority?

Are you working in a public sector organisation?
Is your role promoting sustainable development and reducing energy consumption in your region?
Are you working with culture or community engagement?
Are you interested to explore innovative methods together with creative professionals?

Are You a Creative Professional?

Do you work in the cultural & creative industries (CCI) as a designer, artist, musician, writer, filmmaker, performer, architect, photographer, game developer, or in some other creative field
Can you bring creative approaches and methods to help solve challenges related to sustainability, energy consumption and citizen engagement?
Are you an intermediary interested to facilitate the collaboration between the creatives and the public sector?

Are you a public authority?

Are you working in a public sector organisation?
Is your role promoting sustainable development and reducing energy consumption in your region?
Are you working with culture or community engagement?
Are you interested to explore innovative methods together with creative professionals?

Are you an intermediary?

Are you interested to facilitate change in your community?
Are you closely connected to the creative sector?
Do you want to support local authority in working with the creatives?

Are you a creative professional?

Do you work in the cultural & creative industries (CCI) as a designer, artist, musician, writer, filmmaker, performer, architect, photographer, game developer, or other creative professional?
Can you bring creative approaches and methods to help solve challenges related to sustainability?
Are you interested in collaboration with your local authority?

Why Does This Matter?

Addressing the challanges of climate change demands fresh perspectives and creative approaches. Art and creative methods can open up emotions, build connections, and spark action in ways facts and figures alone cannot. However, to really harness these opportunities, we need new ways of collaboration across sectors that drive meaningful change.

The project “CCI4Change: Facilitation of Citizens Energy Consumption Behavioral Change in BS Cities and Municipalities” was implemented 1.8.2023-31.7.2025 with the co-financing of the Interreg Baltic Sea Region Programme. The total budget of the CCI4Change project was 470,000 EUR, of which 80% was co-funded by the European Union and the remaining 20% by the project partners. For more information about the project please email info@ndpculture.org.

CCI4Change project was a partnership of 7 partner organisations: