What is a Local Group?

Extinction Rebellion organises in autonomous groups distributed around the world. We are working to build a movement that is participatory, decentralised and inclusive.

Local Groups bring a feeling of togetherness and shared purpose to local people and are a great way to connect a local area to the wider XR community. They also provide a crucial mechanism for planning and implementing actions, growing XR, and building links with other sympathetic groups to create a movement of movements.

XRUK has organised into Nations/Regions, each containing various numbers of Local Groups.

Local Groups are connected to their Nation/Region and in turn those Nation/Regions are connected together in a team called The XRUK Rebel Hive. Each Nation/Region elects their External Coordinator to represent them in the Hive.

The XRUK Rebel Hive also contains representatives from other XRUK teams and a representative for the various 'Community Groups' based on shared interest or culture rather than geographical location (e.g. Scientists for XR, XR Walkers). You can view and navigate these teams (called 'circles') on the XRUK Organism

Local groups vary massively in size- some are small, and some are large enough that they need their own working groups to manage all of the activities they are doing.

There are roles for everyone in Local Groups, and if your Local Group doesn't have anyone working in the area you're interested in (e.g. Arts or Outreach), you can create that team yourself!

Why do we need Local Groups?

Local Group supporters help in a number of ways. Ideally, we do need people willing to protest in London since that is where the main seat of political, financial and media power exists. But we also need people to put pressure on institutions in the local area, and to spread the word locally. Those who cannot travel to London can support from home in various roles and by doing outreach or taking action locally.