Frequently Asked Questions
Getting Started with the Laudato Si’ Action Platform
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is a program and associated website that equips Catholic institutions, communities, and families to implement Laudato Si’. It is sponsored by the Vatican’s Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development and is developed with a ground-up approach in partnership with diverse Catholic people and institutions. It offers guidance and space for all to share ideas, questions, challenges, and inspiration, since “the whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” (LS 141)
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is designed to accompany you—step by step—on your journey toward ecological conversion. Whether you’re just beginning or already deeply engaged, the platform offers tools, inspiration, and community to support your commitment to caring for our common home. Specifically, the platform helps you:
- Reflect on your values and your community’s call to action
- Create a Laudato Si’ Plan tailored to your reality
- Choose meaningful actions aligned with the seven Laudato Si’ Goals
- Track your progress and celebrate your impact with an Annual Certificate (for institutions)
- Connect with stories, resources, and others working for change.
It’s a flexible tool, meant to grow with you over time—because ecological conversion is a journey, not a checklist.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is open to everyone who wants to take meaningful action in response to the cry of the Earth and the cry of the poor. People and groups from all walks of life are invited to join, including:
- Individuals and families
- Educational institutions
- Parishes and dioceses
- Healthcare facilities
- Religious communities
- Organizations and movements
- Economic and business entities
Whether you’re part of a large institution or taking your first steps on your own, there’s a place for you here.
Signing up is easy! Just visit www.laudatosiactionplatform.org and click “Enroll” You’ll be guided through a few quick steps:
- Choose your sector (e.g., individual, parish, school, organization)
- Create an account with your name, email, and password
- Confirm your email to activate your account
Once you’re signed in, you’ll have access to your personalized dashboard where you can begin reflecting, planning, and taking action.
When you sign up, you’ll be asked to choose a sector that best reflects your role or the type of community you’re enrolling. Selecting the correct sector ensures you receive tools and guidance that are tailored to your context. Here are the options you’ll see during enrollment:
- Family or individual
- Our Parish
- Our Diocese
- Our School
- Our University
- Our Hospital or Healthcare Center
- Our Economic Entity
- Our Organization or Group
- Our Religious Congregation
- Our Local Religious Community
Tip for religious life: If you’re enrolling on behalf of general leadership, choose “Our Religious Congregation.” If you’re enrolling for a local house or community, choose “Our Local Religious Community.” Still not sure? Contact us at info@laudatosiactionplatform.org—we’re happy to help!
Once you enroll, you’ll gain access to your personalized dashboard, where you can begin your journey through the platform’s steps. Here’s what you can expect next:
- Explore your dashboard – with guidance tailored to your sector
- Complete a quick self-assessment – to receive suggested actions
- Download and begin your Laudato Si’ Plan (optional template available)
- Take meaningful actions aligned with the Laudato Si’ Goals
- Reflect and track your progress throughout the year
- (For institutions) – Become eligible for the annual certificate by completing your plan and reflection.
You can move at your own pace. The platform is here to accompany you, whether you’re just beginning or deepening an existing commitment.
Understanding Your Dashboard
The self-assessment is a short set of six multiple-choice questions that takes less than 2 minutes to complete. It’s designed to help tailor your Laudato Si’ Plan by recommending high-impact actions that are most relevant to your local context.
The questions focus on basic realities in your area—like access to electricity, water, literacy, employment, and healthcare. They’re based on the United Nations’ Human Development Index, and there are no right or wrong answers. Your responses won’t be shared—they’re simply used to help you avoid irrelevant information and focus on what matters most for your community.
Once completed, you’ll receive a personalized list of suggested actions aligned with the seven Laudato Si’ Goals.
You can create your plan directly from your dashboard. We offer a Laudato Si’ Plan Template that you can download to reflect and plan before submitting online. Using the template is optional, but many find it helpful—especially if you’re working in a group. Where to find the template:
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- Click “Submit Your Plan” under Step 1: Initial Steps in your dashboard. This will generate the submission prompt where the template is linked.
- Or go to “My Reflections and Plans”, where the same submission prompt and download link appear
- Once you’re ready, just follow the prompts to enter your plan and submit it online.
No. The suggested actions are there to guide and inspire you, but you are not expected to complete them all. Choose the ones that are most relevant and realistic for your context and community. At the end of the year, you’ll be invited to indicate which actions you’ve completed by checking them off in your dashboard. This helps you track your progress and contributes to your Annual Certificate application if you choose to participate. Your Laudato Si’ Plan is a flexible tool—it’s about thoughtful, meaningful steps, not perfection.
Yes. You can return to your dashboard at any time to edit or update your Laudato Si’ Plan, even after submitting it. This allows you to reflect on your progress, adapt your actions, or respond to new needs in your community. We recognize that ecological conversion is a journey, and your plan can grow with you over time.
Not at all. The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is designed to meet you where you are. If you’re just beginning your ecological journey, you can start small—by reflecting, choosing one or two meaningful actions, or exploring the resources available. You don’t need to complete everything at once. What matters is taking your first step with intention. The platform is here to accompany you over time, helping you grow your commitment at a pace that works for you.
Yes! While it’s not required, we welcome and encourage you to share stories, photos, documents, or other evidence that reflect your ecological journey. These materials help bring your Laudato Si’ Plan and reflection to life and may be featured (with your permission) to inspire others across the global community. You can contact info@laudatosiactionplatform.org to share your stories.
Laudato Si’ Action Platform Annual Certificate
The certificate is a way to recognize and celebrate an institution’s commitment to the journey of ecological conversion. Each year, institutions can apply by submitting a Laudato Si’ Plan and a brief reflection on the actions they’ve taken.
Families and individuals do not receive a certificate, but we warmly encourage them to share the story of their ecological journey with us by contacting info@laudatosiactionplatform.org and with others in the Laudato Si’ community. Every contribution matters and helps inspire change.
The certificate celebrates your institution’s active participation in the journey of ecological conversion. It can:
- Affirm your community’s efforts and inspire continued commitment
- Demonstrate leadership to peers, stakeholders, and the wider Church
- Build credibility when applying for partnerships, funding, or recognition
- Encourage others to begin or deepen their own ecological journey
- Serve as a milestone for your internal reflection and growth
More than a symbol, the certificate is a way to say: “We’re walking this path together.”
No. At this time, the certificate is only available to institutions—such as schools, parishes, dioceses, religious communities, and organizations. However, individuals and families are warmly invited to participate in the platform by creating a Laudato Si’ Plan and taking meaningful action. While you won’t receive a certificate, we encourage you to share your story at info@laudatosiactionplatform.org and inspire others in the global Laudato Si’ community. Every effort counts, and your journey makes a real difference.
To receive the Annual Certificate, an institution must complete eight simple steps—four that are done when you first join the platform, and four that are repeated each year.
- Initial Steps:
- Enroll – Identify a person to lead the work and enroll your institution.
- Make a Public Pledge – Share your commitment publicly (e.g., social media, newsletter).
- Reflect – Consider your values and your community’s call to ecological conversion.
- Review Actions – Explore a list of suggested actions tailored to your context.
- Every Year:
- Make Your Laudato Si’ Plan – Choose meaningful actions and submit your plan.
- Consider Financial Support – If possible, dedicate resources to ecological initiatives.
- Review Actions Completed – At the end of the year, mark which actions you accomplished.
- Receive Your Certificate – Celebrate your progress with official recognition.
A Certification Guide is also available on your dashboard. It provides ideas and examples of how to complete these steps, customized for your sector.
If your institution has completed all required steps for the year—including submitting a Laudato Si’ Plan and a reflection—you will receive your Annual Certificate digitally through the platform. You’ll get an email notification when your certificate is ready, and you can download it directly from your dashboard. Certificates are issued once per year and reflect your active participation during that calendar year.
You’re encouraged to display your certificate wherever it can inspire and affirm your ecological commitment. Common places include:
- A visible space at your institution (e.g., entrance, bulletin board, office wall)
- Your institution’s website or newsletter
- Social media channels
- Presentations or reports to your community or leadership
Just make sure the certificate is displayed in its original, unaltered form, in line with our certificate policy.
The certificate policy exists to ensure that the Laudato Si’ Action Platform Certificate is used with integrity and in alignment with the values of Laudato Si’ and the Catholic Church. As this certificate represents a meaningful commitment to ecological conversion, we want its use to reflect sincerity, transparency, and respect for our shared mission. Key points include:
- Display: Institutions are welcome to showcase the certificate on-site or online to highlight their ecological commitment.
- Integrity: The certificate must be used in its original, unaltered form.
- Truthfulness: It should never be used in a way that misrepresents achievements or implies endorsements.
- Respect: Use of the certificate must honor the rights of others and reflect Catholic social and ecological values.
If these guidelines are not followed, the Laudato Si’ Action Platform may revoke recognition. Read the full certificate policy or contact us at info@laudatosiactionplatform.org for questions or support.
The Annual Certificate is valid for one calendar year. To renew it, your institution simply needs to complete the yearly steps again:
- Submit an updated Laudato Si’ Plan
- (Optional) Consider financial support, if your institution is able
- Indicate which actions you’ve completed
- Review the certificate policy
Each year is an opportunity to build on your previous efforts, reflect on what you’ve learned, and take the next step on your journey toward integral ecology.
Not at this time. The current certificate recognizes active participation, rather than ranking or categorizing institutions based on their ecological progress. We believe that every sincere step forward is worth celebrating, regardless of where you start. The focus is on encouragement, inclusion, and shared commitment.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is here to accompany you at every stage of your ecological journey—whether or not you apply for a certificate this year. You’re welcome to explore the resources, create a plan, reflect, and take action at your own pace. When you’re ready, you can choose to pursue the certificate in a future year. Your participation still makes a meaningful difference.
No. Participation in the Laudato Si’ Action Platform and the Annual Certificate program is completely free. We believe ecological conversion should be accessible to all, regardless of financial resources. While we invite institutions to consider offering voluntary financial support to their plans if they are able, it is never required to receive a certificate or participate in the platform.
Yes! Once your certificate is issued, you can download a digital copy directly from your dashboard. It’s designed to be print-friendly, so you’re welcome to print and display it in your institution, share it in newsletters, or post it on your website or social media to celebrate your commitment.
Certificates are issued automatically once all required steps are completed. However, our team reviews submitted plans and reflections to better understand participants’ journeys and ensure alignment with the values of Laudato Si’. This helps us offer support, highlight inspiring examples, and continue nurturing a global community rooted in care for our common home.
The Laudato Si’ Action Platform Certificate is issued by the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, a Vatican institution, as part of its official commitment to promoting ecological conversion. While the certificate is not an academic or legal credential, it is a meaningful sign of your institution’s participation in a global, Church-supported effort to care for our common home. We hope many institutions use it to inspire others, report on their progress, or strengthen partnerships aligned with Laudato Si’ values.
Technical & Account Support
You’re not alone—this is a big platform with a lot to explore, and it’s normal to feel unsure at first. We’re here to help. You can:
- Watch a video tour of the website
- Download a step-by-step guide from your dashboard
- Reach out to our support team at info@laudatosiactionplatform.org if you need more personalized help.
Whether you’re just starting out or returning to the updated website, we’re glad you’re here and ready to walk with you.
With the updated website, some content and tools have been reorganized to improve navigation—so what you’re looking for might still be there, just in a new spot. Here’s what you can do:
- Check the “My Reflections and Plans“ section on your account
- Look for updated versions of resources in your dashboard
Still stuck? Reach out to us through the Support tab or email us at info@laudatosiactionplatform.org. We’re happy to help you find what you need!
No problem! On the login page, just click “Forgotten your password?” and follow the steps to reset it. You’ll receive an email with instructions to create a new password. If you don’t see the email within a few minutes, check your spam or promotions folder. And if you still have trouble, you can contact us at info@laudatosiactionplatform.org for support.
No, each email address can only be used to enroll in one sector on the platform. Your email address is an important way to log in to your personalized dashboard. If you belong to multiple institutions or communities, we recommend choosing the sector that best represents your primary role or focus.If you need to support more than one sector, you can use a different email address for each enrollment, or collaborate with others in your community who are registered under a different sector.
When someone enrolls an institution, we may reach out to verify that they have permission to do so on behalf of that community. We’ve found that sometimes individuals enroll as an institution when they actually meant to make a personal commitment. If you’re unsure, we recommend enrolling as an individual or family—you can always update your registration later if your institution decides to participate formally. If you believe you do have permission, feel free to proceed and we’ll follow up if confirmation is needed.
While the platform doesn’t include a direct messaging feature, there are several ways to connect with others in the community:
- We regularly host webinars and community meetings that include time for follow-up conversation and connection. See our events page here.
- You can find a list of sector partners here—many of whom coordinate gatherings or networks in your region or area of work.
- You’re also welcome to explore the Reflections and Plans directories available through your dashboard and on the “My Reflections and Plans” page. These offer insight into how others are engaging with the platform and may help you identify like-minded efforts.
If you need help at any point, you can contact our team at info@laudatosiactionplatform.org. We’re here to support you with questions about the platform, your dashboard, certificate requirements, or anything else related to your journey toward integral ecology. We do our best to respond within a few business days, and we appreciate your patience—especially during busy times like the annual certificate season.
Common Terms
Laudato Si’ (“Praise be to you”) is the second encyclical of Pope Francis. The encyclical has the subtitle On Care for Our Common Home and was published in 2015, addressed to “every person living on this planet.” (LS 3) Pope Francis describes the encyclical as “a new dialogue about how we are shaping the future of our planet,” calling upon the Church and the world to acknowledge the urgency of our environmental challenges and to join him in embarking on a new journey to integral ecology. (LS 14) Read the encyclical here.
A Laudato Si’ Plan is a simple, flexible roadmap for taking meaningful action to care for our common home. It helps you reflect on your values, identify your priorities, and choose steps aligned with the seven Laudato Si’ Goals. Each plan is unique—shaped by your context, community, and capacity. You can fill out your plan online through your dashboard, and you’re welcome to use the downloadable template if you find it helpful.
Ecological conversion is a deep transformation of the heart and mind that leads us to live in right relationship with God, one another, and all of creation. It’s not just about changing habits—it’s about changing how we see the world and our place within it. Inspired by Laudato Si’, ecological conversion invites us to:
- Recognize the spiritual and moral dimensions of the ecological crisis
- Embrace a lifestyle of simplicity, care, and solidarity
- Act with love and urgency to protect our common home and the most vulnerable
It’s a personal and communal journey rooted in faith, humility, and hope.
Integral ecology is a key concept in Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’. As Pope Francis says, “Nature cannot be regarded as something separate from ourselves or as a mere setting in which we live.” (LS 139) Our treatment of the natural world is deeply tied to economic, political, social, cultural, and ethical issues. Read more about integral ecology here.
In the Laudato Si’ Action Platform, sectors refer to the distinct types of participants who bring unique gifts, challenges, and responsibilities to the work of ecological conversion. By identifying your sector when you enroll, the platform can offer tailored guidance, suggested actions, and resources that best reflect your reality. Each sector plays a vital role in the global journey toward integral ecology, including:
- Family or Individual – everyday choices and personal witness
- Our Parish – spiritual formation and community-based action
- Our Diocese – Church leadership and structural support
- Our School / University – education, formation, and innovation
- Our Hospital or Healthcare Center – healing and care in a climate-impacted world
- Our Economic Entity – responsible business and ethical resource use
- Our Organization or Group – networks, advocacy, and on-the-ground impact
- Our Religious Congregation (general leadership) – vision-setting and cross-regional coordination
- Our Local Religious Community (individual community) – living out the charism in a specific place
Each sector receives suggested actions aligned with the Laudato Si’ Goals, as well as examples from similar communities to inspire and accompany you.
The Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development is a Vatican department entrusted with advancing the Church’s work on social justice, peace, care for creation, and the dignity of every person. It plays a leading role in guiding the global Church’s response to the ecological crisis, and it established the Laudato Si’ Action Platform as part of its commitment to promoting integral ecology—a vision that connects care for the Earth with care for one another, especially the most vulnerable. The Dicastery accompanies the platform in spirit, direction, and accountability, helping ensure that its mission reflects the teachings of Laudato Si’ and the values of the Catholic Church.
The Season of Creation is a celebration that takes place each year to renew our relationship with our Creator and all creation through prayer and action. The season starts September 1, the Day of Prayer for Creation, and ends October 4, the Feast of St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of ecology beloved by many Christian denominations. Throughout the month-long celebration, the world’s 2.2 billion Christians come together to care for our common home. Click here for more information on the Season of Creation.
Laudato Si’ Week is a celebration held every May to commemorate the anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’: On Care For Our Common Home. In a similar spirit of the Season of Creation, Catholics across the globe unite as one family in prayer and action. Click here for more information on Laudato Si’ Week.