ABOUT THIS EPISODE
Welcome to The Changes We Make — the podcast about small choices that create a big impact.
I’m Vitalina, and in each episode I talk to entrepreneurs, activists, and changemakers about the “why” behind what they do — and how their work creates ripple effects far beyond themselves.
In this episode, I’m joined by Matt Ward, founder of 4WARD — the world’s largest global ecosystem for climate and sustainability doers, connecting startups, corporates, NGOs, investors, and talent across 90+ cities through a community platform and in-person hubs.
We talk about why climate action is often slow not because we lack technology, talent, or capital — but because the ecosystem is fragmented into silos: startups, corporates, investors, governments, and researchers rarely meet in the right rooms at the right time. Matt shares how Forward Earth grew from a simple insight: sometimes a two-minute introduction can be “10–100 steps forward” for a project.
You’ll also hear Matt’s personal “why”, including his Grandma Test (can you say what you do without feeling uncomfortable?) and Kid Test (does it feel meaningful telling your child about it?) — and why he believes real change requires shifting systems, incentives, and defaults, not relying on individual motivation alone.
💬 If you’re building in climate, transitioning careers, or simply curious how collaboration can accelerate impact — this one’s for you.
About Matt
Matt Ward is the founder of 4WARD, a global climate community designed to connect startups, corporates, investors, governments, and talent — helping people align career growth with climate action. Forward Earth runs events and hubs in 90+ cities and is working toward 100 by 2027.
Learn more about :
Website: https://4ward.earth
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