What is The 1.5° Diaries?
The 1.5° Diaries is a cross-country visual storytelling project led by African women. It documents what it means to live through climate breakdown in some of the continent's most vulnerable regions. Through film, audio, and immersive media, the project captures powerful, place-based stories that centre the voices of women facing water stress, food insecurity, land loss, and climate displacement.
From farmers and mothers to youth activists and local leaders, this initiative gathers and amplifies their raw, personal reflections on what climate change, particularly the 1.5°C threshold, means for their land, bodies, and futures.
Led by the Nishati Initiative East Africa, with strategic oversight from MBhazi Advisory, the project will span up to 10 climate-vulnerable regions across Africa.
The pilot will launch in Uganda and scale toward a showcase through digital exhibitions, VR-compatible outputs, and global advocacy platforms.
Why Now
Africa is warming faster than the global average. The 1.5°C climate threshold is no longer a future concern; it is the daily reality in many communities. Yet those most affected, especially women in rural and peri-urban areas, remain overlooked in policy, funding, and media. This project brings their voices and solutions to the forefront.
The Format
The project combines multilingual documentary storytelling, immersive VR experiences, and a digital archive that spans 10 African regions. Each location is selected for its climate exposure and is activated through a local women-led partner organisation. These stories are not just collected, they are co-created.
Documentary Storytelling
Multilingual films capturing authentic voices and experiences from climate-vulnerable communities across Africa.
VR Experiences
Immersive virtual reality experiences that transport viewers directly into the lives of affected communities.
Digital Archive
A comprehensive digital archive spanning 10 African regions, preserving and sharing climate stories for future generations.
Who it's for
The 1.5° Diaries is designed for audiences who care about climate justice, women's leadership, and community-led solutions. It speaks to cultural institutions, media platforms, donors, and movement builders who want to see African women's stories told with depth, dignity, and impact.
Cultural Institutions
Museums, galleries, and cultural centers seeking authentic African narratives and climate stories.
Media Platforms
Broadcasters, streaming services, and digital media looking for compelling climate justice content.
Donors
Foundations and philanthropists committed to women's leadership and climate justice initiatives.
Movement Builders
Activists and organizations working to amplify women's voices in climate and social justice.
What we are looking for
We are inviting partners, funders, distribution allies, and institutions to collaborate in producing, sharing, and sustaining this campaign. This includes support for filming, post-production, translation, community activation, and fund management.
"This is not a documentary about African women. It is a storytelling platform created by them."
Filming
Production support
Post-Production
Editing & finishing
Translation
Multilingual support
Community
Local activation
Our Objectives
Document & Share
Document and share untold stories of African women on the frontlines of climate change on the African Continent
Elevate Voices
Elevate regional climate realities into global policy spaces
Knowledge Exchange
Support knowledge exchange between communities, policymakers, and funders
Long-term Support
Seed long-term support through the launch of a Women-Led Climate Action Fund
Our Approach
Audio-visual Storytelling
Short-form films, regionally curated, multilingual, subtitled
Immersive Formats
VR-ready outputs and digital museum exhibitions
Community Engagement
Partnering with women-led organisations in each region
What Makes It Different
Each story feeds directly into a linked Women-Led Climate Action Fund. This fund supports community solar, clean cooking, water access, climate-smart agriculture, and local storytelling in the same regions featured in the series. The documentary is both a lens and a lever, creating visibility and resourcing local response.
Now in Strategic Development Phase
The 1.5° Diaries is currently in its Strategic Development Phase. We are onboarding partners, finalising scope, and actively seeking service providers and funders.
If you would like to get involved, we invite you to explore the opportunities below.
Opportunities
Submit a Service Quotation
We are accepting Expressions of Interest (EOIs) for production, design, logistics, legal, and more.
View EOI DetailsSupport the Project
Institutions, agencies, and companies interested in supporting The 1.5° Diaries are welcome to contact us for partnership opportunities.
Email: partnerships@theniea.orgDownloadable Resources
Contact
Nishati Initiative East Africa
General Enquiries:
contact@theniea.orgPartnership Enquiries:
partnerships@theniea.orgGet Involved
Ready to support women's voices in climate action? We'd love to hear from you.
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