How to organise a climate strike

A climate strike needs more than a meeting point and a message. Start by securing the location, checking permit requirements and submitting the demonstration route to the municipality before you announce the event. Then build the programme, recruit volunteers and arrange first aid, toilets, sound and traffic measures. Keep the final week for confirmations, printed materials and a practical site check so problems are found before participants arrive.

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The plan, step by step

Every task with its own sub-checklist, in the order you'll actually need them.

Preparations

1
Secure the event location
2 people
2
Check the permit
2 people
3
Determine the route for the demonstration
3 people
4
Submit the report to the municipality
5
Inform the police and emergency services
6
Coordinate traffic measures
2 people
7
Approach speakers
2 people
8
Contact Musicians
2 people
9
Recruit volunteers
3 people
10
Send invitations
2 people
11
Publish social media posts
2 people
12
Send press release
2 people
13
Process registrations
2 people
14
Collect dietary requirements
15
Record the speaker schedule
2 people
16
Assign volunteers
2 people
17
Arrange first aid volunteers
2 people
18
Reserve toilets
19
Reserve the sound system
20
Order print materials
21
Design banners
2 people
22
Check the shopping list
2 people
23
Do the shopping
3 people
24
Collect materials
2 people
25
Paint banners
6 people
26
Assemble info packs
4 people
27
Sort wristbands
2 people
28
Prepare the volunteers briefing
2 people
29
Check the weather forecast
30
Send weather update
31
Inspect venue
3 people
32
Set up tables and tents
6 people
33
Set up the sound system
3 people
34
Connect power supply
2 people
35
Set up information stands
4 people
36
Prepare catering
4 people
37
Hang banners and signs
4 people
38
Put up route signs
3 people
39
Set up the first aid station
2 people
40
Set up the registration table
2 people
41
Give volunteer briefing
3 people
42
Test the equipment
3 people

Event

43
Welcome speakers
2 people
44
Welcome participants
6 people
45
Register sign-ups
3 people
46
Hand out information materials
3 people
47
Hand out campaign boards
3 people
48
Serve coffee and tea
4 people
49
Refill drinks
3 people
50
Serve snacks
4 people
51
Guide the opening speech
2 people
52
Guide the demonstration route
12 people
53
Secure intersections
6 people
54
Announce the speakers
55
Support the stage program
3 people
56
Guide music program
2 people
57
Collect audience questions
2 people
58
Empty waste stations
3 people
59
Escort participants to the exit
4 people
60
Make final announcements
2 people
61
Turn off the sound system
2 people

Aftercare

62
Gather signs and banners
5 people
63
Take down tables and tents
6 people
64
Sort waste
5 people
65
Wash dishes
3 people
66
Clean the venue
6 people
67
Return materials
2 people
68
Return borrowed items
2 people
69
Store leftover materials
2 people
70
Send thank-you message
2 people
71
Share photos and information
2 people

What to bring

Grouped the way you'd shop for it, with quantities.

Furniture

Party tentsqty 3
Foldable tablesqty 10
Folding chairsqty 30
High tablesqty 6
Waste binsqty 12

Equipment

Sound system
Wireless microphonesqty 3
Speakersqty 4
Mixer
Extension cordsqty 8
Power stripsqty 6
Power banksqty 6
Megaphoneqty 2

Lighting

LED lampsqty 8
String lightsqty 6

Decorations

Bannersqty 8
Campaign signsqty 150
Cardboard platesqty 250
Wooden polesqty 200
Paper arrowsqty 20
Ropeqty 4
Cable tiesqty 300
Painter's tapeqty 12
Waterproof markersqty 40
Poster paintqty 20
Brushesqty 20

Tableware

Reusable cupsqty 400
Reusable platesqty 250
Reusable cutleryqty 300
Thermos flasksqty 8

Kitchen

Coolersqty 6
Water jugsqty 8
Cutting boardsqty 4
Bread knivesqty 4
Serving spoonsqty 8
Bowlsqty 12
Ice packsqty 24
Kettlesqty 3
Coffee filtersqty 200

Catering

Groceries

Safety

First aid kitsqty 2
Safety vestsqty 20
Flashlightsqty 12
Work glovesqty 20
Barrier tapeqty 6
Traffic conesqty 20

Registration

Registration formsqty 600
Pen setsqty 30
Name stickersqty 600
Clipboardsqty 20
Wristbandsqty 600
Information leafletsqty 600

Cleaning

Litter pickersqty 8
Broom setsqty 4
Bucketsqty 6
Mopsqty 4
Waste sorting binsqty 12

Transport

Transport cartsqty 4
Ratchet strapsqty 12
Storage cratesqty 20
Tarpaulinsqty 6

Tips

Start with the route and permissions. Confirm the event location, demonstration route and municipal reporting requirements before publishing invitations; allow at least 4–6 weeks for this step, depending on local rules.
Plan safety before promotion. Inform the police and emergency services, coordinate traffic measures, and assign first-aid volunteers before you announce expected attendance. Keep a written contact list for event leads and emergencies.
Build the programme around reliable timings. Confirm speakers and musicians in writing, record the speaker schedule, and give each contributor an arrival time; leave 10–15 minutes of spare time for delays or technical changes.
Recruit more volunteers than the visible jobs require. For a moving demonstration, assign separate people to route guidance, registration, speaker support, first aid, waste and equipment rather than asking one team to cover everything.
Test the practical setup before the strike. Check the sound system, microphones, mixer, extension cords and power banks together, then paint and label banners, signs and arrows at least one day ahead so setup does not compete with arrivals.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to organise a climate strike?: Allow at least 4–8 weeks for a small public climate strike. The route, location, municipal report, traffic coordination and emergency contacts should be settled before invitations and social media promotion go out.
Do I need a permit for a climate strike?: Many demonstrations require advance notification or a permit, but the rule depends on the municipality. Check the local requirements first and submit the report as soon as the route and location are fixed, preferably 4–6 weeks before the event.
How many volunteers do I need for a climate strike?: For a small strike, start with at least 10–15 volunteers, including route marshals, registration support, speaker support, first aid and equipment helpers. Add more people when the route is long or attendance is expected to exceed 100 participants.
When should I test the sound system for a climate strike?: Test the sound system, wireless microphones, speakers, mixer and power connections at least 24 hours before the strike. On the day, run a second check 60–90 minutes before participants arrive and keep a megaphone as a backup.

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