Valery Molay, Climate Democracy Coordinator

Rotterdam, Netherlands

Born in the plains of Kinshasa and raised in the suburb of North Dublin, Valery developed a passion for creating accessible, engaging, and empowering learning experiences. She places lived experience at the heart of her approach, supporting participants to reflect on their own realities as a foundation for understanding climate justice and developing effective, community-driven responses to the climate crisis. At People Powered, she brings this commitment to life by coordinating the Climate Democracy Accelerator programme, supporting local and regional governments, policymakers, civil society staff, and advocates in designing and launching participatory initiatives for a just climate transition.

After completing her Master’s in Environmental Policy, Valery served as Ireland’s Youth Delegate to the United Nations, where she represented and advanced young people’s priorities on climate issues internationally. She later co-designed and facilitated the Children and Young People’s Citizens’ Assembly on Biodiversity Loss. She also managed a large grant programme focused on gender-transformative climate justice initiatives across Europe and beyond.

Outside of her work, Valery enjoys walking, pottery, and reading. She is currently working her way through the NS-wandeling routes, a series of station-to-station walks organised by the Dutch railway network.