Until 23 April, initiatives and projects, as well as local authorities from German-speaking countries that want to motivate people towards climate protection through innovative formats and offerings and encourage them to take sustainable action, can apply for the award. The prize, worth 15,000 euros, recognises projects and initiatives that succeed through exemplary communication in closing the gap between knowledge and action, between awareness of a problem and its solution.

According to surveys, a sense of helplessness is the most prevalent feeling when it comes to the climate crisis, cutting across all segments of the population. Not exactly an ideal starting point for active climate protection. At the same time, surveys show that concern about climate change is higher than ever before, and the willingness to make a personal contribution is strong.

This gap between feelings of powerlessness and genuine concern poses a challenge for all those taking part in the climate debate: researchers, media professionals, as well as activists in local communities and civil society. Overcoming the sense of helplessness and achieving collective effectiveness on climate protection – this can actually be done through communication that speaks to hands, hearts and minds.

The K3 Prize is closely linked to the K3 Congress on Climate Communication, which is organised largely by the same organisations.

The prize will be decided by a high-calibre jury comprising: journalist Mirko Drotschmann, art historian Corinna Engel, actress Maria Furtwängler, climate researcher Reto Knutti, meteorologist Markus Wadsak, and co-founder of Klimaunion, Wiebke Winter. The prize will be awarded on 13 July at the Museum for Communication in Frankfurt as part of the exhibition KLIMA_X.

Further information about the application process and a form to apply can be found at k3-klimakongress.org .