Thank you to everyone who attended the 2024 Changemakers Gathering!
The Maine Environmental Changemakers Network is a youth-led intergenerational network that connects young Mainers (ages 15-30) from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about the environment with peers and mentors in the environmental sector.
The Changemakers Gathering is a youth planned and facilitated, intergenerational two-day retreat to build a sense of community amongst people who are passionate about the environment.
Collectively, we are committed to building more just and sustainable Maine schools and communities. The gathering includes lodging, food, youth-led workshops and panels, discussions, mentorship opportunities with Maine organizers, games, and unstructured space for relaxation and connection in a beautiful outdoor retreat environment.
The gathering is free for people ages 15-30 and includes lodging and meals. Adults over age 30 are encouraged to attend as well. We ask people over age 30 to pay a registration fee that helps cover the costs to plan the event.
If you are accepted to the Gathering you will be part of the Changemakers Network and will be invited to different events throughout the year. Participation in follow-up events is not required, but offer a great way to deepen your relationships with other Changemakers across the state and build your skills.
Sulwan Ahmed, 2024 Gathering Participant and Planning Team — “I felt a sense of community in the outdoors that I had not experienced in a while. I connected with folks who had the same desire to create care, love, and resilience as we work together towards achieving our goals for the environment. I was also able to share my story which inspired many. Because of the gathering, I now carry pieces of the folks I met. . .The MEEA gathering reminded me of what inspires me to do my work . . .that being in community makes you want to do better for the community.”
we are changemakers.
we follow youth leadership.
we bridge generations.
we challenge norms.
we prioritize building trust.
we center marginalized youth.
we tell our own stories.
we ask hard questions.
we find hope in building community.
Changemakers is powerful today because of the insight, innovation, and courage embodied in its youth-led design. Born from a single event in 2016, the project has grown to a vibrant network where we provide training, community events, resource sharing, a paid fellowship program, a paid residency, civic engagement training, and support for youth-led community action projects.
Changemakers commits to challenging traditional models of leadership, shifting power to foster youth leadership, increasing dialogue across generations, and developing a more just, inclusive, and equitable environmental sector.
We believe that anyone can be an environmental Changemaker and everyone has a role to play in this work of building more resilient and equitable Maine communities. We invite people to join the work and encourage all participants to listen with an open heart to enter into conversations that may challenge their traditional practice.
Thank you, Changemakers, for providing such a safe, playful, and powerful space for change to take place in.
— 2019 Gathering Participant
I have infinitely more hope than I had before. Seeing all the young people passionate about the environment and social justice gives me hope that our country is heading in the right direction.
— 2021 Gathering Participant
I really enjoyed the experience of hearing from so many impactful leaders in the community
— 2022 Gathering Participant
Learn about the Changemakers Network’s paid opportunities with MEEA
The Changemakers Network is made possible by:
