Pro Bono for Climate Education
At a time of growing geopolitical uncertainty, civil society organisations working on climate action are proactively strengthening their legal and operational foundations. For organisations operating globally, establishing a stable legal base in Europe is a strategic way to ensure continuity and resilience of their mission.
This was an opportunity that Take Action Global embraced, when it decided to establish an entity in Belgium, which offers access to a stable regulatory environment, international institutions, and new funding opportunities.
Take Action Global: empowering millions through climate education
Climate education plays a critical role in equipping young people with the knowledge and skills needed to respond to the climate crisis. Take Action Global (TAG) is the world’s largest organisation dedicated to climate action education. Founded in 2019 and based in Florida, TAG empowers nearly seven million students and teachers across more than 180 countries.
Through its flagship Climate Action Project, TAG supports educators with practical tools to integrate climate learning into classrooms worldwide. Its programmes are available in 15 languages and are implemented in partnership with over 20 Ministries of Education.
TAG’s work has earned global recognition and collaborates with organisations such as UNESCO, NASA, WWF, the LEGO Group, and the U.S. Department of State. At its core, TAG aims to make climate education accessible to all, regardless of geography.
Dentons: a trusted partner for complex cross-border matters
Dentons is widely recognised for its strong reputation in public interest work and cross-border legal expertise. Its Brussels team, led by Laurens Engelen and Brandon Cheliotis, has extensive experience advising non-profits, international organisations, and mission-driven entities.
Through Pro Publico’s matchmaking process, Dentons was identified as the right partner to support TAG’s ambitions. The firm’s commitment to pro bono work and its understanding of international NGO structures made it particularly well suited for this collaboration.
Delivering tailored pro bono legal support
Dentons’ Brussels team worked closely with TAG to design and implement the legal structure of the new Belgian ASBL. From the outset, the team approached the matter with the same level of care and professionalism as for any other client.
They advised on governance models, statutory requirements, and compliance obligations under Belgian law. Additionally, the team drafted the necessary constitutional documents and ensured alignment with TAG’s existing U.S.-based operations.
To facilitate understanding and decision-making, Dentons provided explanations of legal and structural choices and offered multiple language translations of key documents. This approach ensured transparency and allowed TAG to remain fully engaged throughout the process.
As TAG’s Riley Justis noted: “Laurens treated us as a true client and it was evident that he and his team were working in the interest of TAG and ensuring the desired outcome.”
Tangible results with long-term impact
With Dentons’ support, TAG is now able to establish its Belgian ASBL on a solid legal foundation. This new entity will allow the organisation to deepen partnerships across the world.
More importantly, it ensures continuity for one of the world’s leading climate education platforms. Millions of teachers and students worldwide will continue to benefit from TAG’s programmes.
Although concrete impact metrics will emerge over time, the strategic value of this legal work is already clear. The new structure enables TAG to expand its reach and serve even more educators and learners globally.
The role of Pro Publico in making it possible
Pro Publico ensured a strong alignment between beneficiary and provider; “Through our partnership with and support from Pro Publico and their approach to identifying the right partners for our needs, we have been able to successfully expand our work and increase our impact” said Riley.
Ongoing follow-up helped ensure that the collaboration remained effective and responsive. This highlights how targeted pro bono legal support for climate education can be maximised through careful matchmaking and continued engagement.
Strengthening climate action through pro bono partnerships
This collaboration demonstrates how legal expertise can play a vital role in protecting and scaling climate education initiatives. When law firms, NGOs and clearinghouses work together, pro bono support becomes a strategic tool for systemic impact.
By connecting Take Action Global with Dentons, Pro Publico helped secure a legal framework that will support climate education for years to come.
If your organisation needs legal support to advance its public interest mission, or if your firm is interested in contributing pro bono expertise, contact Pro Publico to learn more.
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Thanks to @LaurensEngelen, @BrandonCheliotis, @Dentons, @KoenTimmers, @RileyJustis, @JenniferWilliams, @TakeActionGlobal, @RomainGustot, @AshokaBelgium, @FrancescoZatelli, @ProPublico
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