The Climate Action Initiative was established as a space for open dialogue, connection, and action. Its purpose was clear:

• Create a peer-led space where partners could share climate action strategies.

• Identify common challenges and uncover collective solutions.

• Accelerate climate progress by fostering genuine collaboration across sectors.

At the core of the initiative were monthly meet-ups held under Chatham House rules. These created a safe and candid environment for honest discussion and peer-to-peer learning.

Each session included:

• Partner Spotlights – giving organisations a platform to showcase their climate work.

• Guest Speakers – bringing in diverse perspectives to spark fresh thinking.

• Thematic Focus – sessions built around specific climate justice challenges or innovations.

From SMEs to large corporations, public bodies to grassroots organisations, the initiative welcomed a diverse range of participants, creating one of the most inclusive and engaged climate communities in the region.

• Shared learning reduced duplication of effort and accelerated the adoption of best practices.

• Meaningful relationships were built across industries, enabling unexpected partnerships.

• Cross-sector collaboration uncovered new opportunities for collective action.

• Momentum was created toward long-term systems change, not just short-term wins.

Above all, the initiative created a cultural shift: from isolated efforts to shared ambition.

Climate justice cannot be achieved in silos. Through this initiative, TEDxGlasgow and its partners demonstrated the power of openness, vulnerability, and collective problem-solving.

In a world full of urgent climate targets and rising pressure, the Climate Action Initiative created space for organisations to breathe, reflect, and act together.

Digital Window Shopping was born from a simple yet powerful concept: allow people to purchase items they see in a shop window while standing outside.  

This initiative reimagined the role of the shopfront to support and regenerate a local economy during the COVID-19 pandemic and its multiple lockdowns.  By empowering shop owners and the general public to no longer see just a shop display, but a digital point of sale. 

Through QR codes and tap-to-buy technology, window displays evolved into interactive shopping experiences, blending the physical and digital worlds in an entirely new way.

Participating retailers were supported to:

• Curate appealing window displays of featured products.

• Display a QR code that links directly to an online shop, listing all items for purchase.

• Offer a frictionless way for passers-by to shop instantly using their smartphones.

The process required no physical contact, no app download, and no staff interaction, making it ideal during lockdown.

It turned bricks-and-mortar limitations into a strategic advantage and maximised the physical presence of shops even when doors had to remain shut. 

• Local retail visibility was maintained during lockdowns.

• Shops generated sales despite being physically closed.

• Customers remained engaged with their favourite independents.

• Businesses stayed motivated and present in the community.

At a time when national headlines warned of the "death of the high street," this project showed the opposite. It demonstrated the resilience and adaptability of local businesses, showing how even during a crisis, innovation can keep communities connected.

Digital Window Shopping wasn’t just about sales. It was about pride, presence, and reimagining what it means to shop local in a digital-first world.

Our mission was twofold:

• Drive footfall into Southwold to help sustain the high street economy.

• Provide safe, joyful experiences for residents and local holidaymakers.

We responded with a bold and simple idea: a socially distanced outdoor cinema on Southwold Common. The initiative offered people a way to gather safely while celebrating film, local pride, and togetherness.

Crucially, this wasn’t just an event—it was a vehicle for regeneration, economically and emotionally. 

We partnered with the Southwold Business Partnership to ensure the cinema season delivered both cultural and economic value.

Key features included:

• A carefully spaced outdoor venue that complied with all COVID safety measures.

• A local-first approach, involving Southwold businesses in the planning and delivery of the events.

• A commitment that all profits would be reinvested into the local economy through the Southwold Business Partnership.

The programming was eclectic and community-focused, culminating in a special screening of Yesterday, featuring a live Q&A with film producer and Comic Relief co-founder Richard Curtis, which drew regional attention and boosted PR value.

• Increased footfall in to Southwold at a time of critical need.

• Supported local businesses through supplier partnerships and direct reinvestment.

• Secured wide-reaching publicity, including BBC radio interviews, regional TV coverage, and strong social media traction.

• Reinforced community pride and offered a safe, joyful shared experience during a time of isolation.

This project proved that creativity and collaboration can keep towns alive, even in the midst of crisis. 

The Southwold Outdoor Cinema Season was more than an event—it was a blueprint for how to combine economic resilience with cultural vibrancy.

By giving people a reason to visit safely, stay longer, and support local businesses, we helped ensure Southwold’s spirit didn’t just survive COVID, it found new ways to thrive.