On 17 September, the Mitigation Action Facility’s Communication Focal Person Network met for the second time this year, held across two time zones to ensure broad participation from our global project portfolio. This time, the focus was on gender equality and social inclusion (GESI)-sensitive communication, with two active projects showcasing how they are embedding inclusive approaches into their communication strategies.
Guatemala: Promoting sustainable cookstoves through inclusive campaigns
In Guatemala, where 60% of household energy use still comes from firewood, the Sustainable Cookstoves project is tackling the health, environmental, and economic challenges linked to traditional open-fire cooking. Beyond promoting improved cookstoves (ICS) as a cleaner, safer, and more efficient alternative, the project has developed a communication campaign that reaches deeply into rural and indigenous communities.
Through the “Breathe Easy” campaign, the project applies the AIDA model, capturing attention with real-life testimonials, sparking interest by comparing old and new stoves, creating desire through health and financial benefits, and enabling action by linking families with suppliers. Communication tools include community radio in Spanish and Mayan languages, social media, print publications, and local events such as street theatre and live cooking demonstrations on ICS models.
The campaign takes special care to integrate cultural elements, local languages, and inclusive formats. For example, activities are adapted to engage both men and women, children are involved through playful methods, and indigenous traditions are woven into campaign visuals. Despite challenges, such as cultural resistance or limited manufacturer capacity, the project shows how participatory, locally grounded communication can foster real change.
Mexico: Gender-responsive communication in the SME Energy Efficiency Project
Meanwhile in Mexico, the SME Energy Efficiency project has placed gender-responsive communication at the core of its GESI Action Plan. A gender capacity diagnosis revealed persistent stereotypes in the energy sector, where women often remain underrepresented as project developers, entrepreneurs, or technical experts.
In response, the project developed tailored training workshops for energy efficiency developers and entrepreneurs in the sector, combining technical content with awareness-building on gender issues. These sessions highlighted how inclusive communication, avoiding stereotypes and using non-sexist language, can open opportunities and improve outreach by portraying women as active agents in the sector. Data gathered through the gender diagnosis also helps shape targeted messages, ensuring that communication is not only inclusive but evidence-based.
The project is also amplifying women’s voices in the sector, including entrepreneurs and waste handlers, through professional networks and social media campaigns. Guided by insights from a recent market study, data-driven communication materials are being developed and shared to raise awareness of the role of women in business within the Sustainable Eco Credit programme, thereby increasing their visibility and confidence in accessing finance. On social media, visuals featuring diverse women alongside messages adapted to their needs are being showcased to promote inclusive leadership models that reflect their interests and contexts. By embedding gender considerations across its work packages, the project demonstrates how communication can strengthen both credibility and impact.
Building a learning community
The exchange sparked lively discussions among focal persons on how to integrate inclusivity into everyday communication – whether by addressing cultural norms, creating diverse visuals, or ensuring events give equal space for all voices.
Through these peer-to-peer exchanges, the Communications Focal Person Network is fostering a vibrant community of practice – one that goes beyond sharing strategies to actively drive the Mitigation Action Facility’s vision of climate action that is not only impactful, but also just and inclusive.