How to Create Your Own Just Transition Cards

Introduction

This guide explains how to create your own version of the Just Transition Cards either by manually editing a copy of the Canva design for smaller changes, or by using Canva Bulk Create and spreadsheets for larger adaptations such as translations, redesigns or entirely new card sets.

It is intended for facilitators, educators, organisers and community groups who want to adapt the cards for their own projects, workshops, cultures, languages or local contexts.

If you are new to the cards, you can first explore the main resource here: Just Transition Cards

Before You Start

Before creating your own version of the cards, ensure you have the following:

• A Canva account
• Either a Google account or a locally installed spreadsheet application such as LibreOffice Calc
• Basic familiarity with editing text and documents

The cards are released under a Creative Commons Attribution–ShareAlike (CC BY-SA) licence. You are free to adapt and build upon them, but any derived versions must retain the same licence.

Method 1: Simple Canva Editing

Best for small edits, wording tweaks, or light customisation

1. Open the Canva file containing the 52 cards: Just Transition Canva Template
2. Make a copy of the Canva file into your own account
3. Close the original to avoid accidental editing
4. Edit the logo, text, colours, graphics or categories as needed
5. Duplicate cards if you want to create additional themes or prompts
6. Export as PNG or PDF depending on your use case

This method is simple and flexible, but becomes slower when applying small edits across larger card sets or making multiple incremental changes.

Method 2: Canva Bulk Create (Advanced)

Best for generating multiple cards efficiently, including translations and large adaptations

1. Open the spreadsheet template: Just Transition Spreadsheet Template
2. Create your own copy using File → Make a Copy
3. Alternatively download and edit locally using software such as LibreOffice Calc
4. Edit your card titles, descriptions and categories within the spreadsheet
5. Open the Canva template: Canva Bulk Create Template
6. Make a copy of the Canva template into your own account
7. In Canva go to Apps → Bulk Create
8. Select Google Sheets as your data source
9. Connect your copied spreadsheet
10. Match the spreadsheet fields to the placeholders in the card template
11. Select Continue
12. Choose “Create Designs”
13. Open and review your generated card set

Video Tutorials and Related Guides

The Just Transition Cards use a very similar editing and creation process to the JEDAI Permaculture Cards. Although these videos focus on JEDAI cards, the same methods apply to Just Transition Cards, including translations and bespoke community versions.

• Video: How to Use the Cards
• Video: How to Create Bespoke Cards

What You Can Change

• Card titles and descriptions
• Colours and branding
• Icons and illustrations
• Language and terminology
• Facilitation prompts
• Local or cultural examples
• Workshop themes and categories

Many groups use the cards as a starting point and then adapt them for local projects, youth work, regenerative design, climate action, community organising or governance processes.

Good Practice When Creating Cards

• Keep language clear, accessible and inclusive
• Avoid overly academic or technical wording
• Ground content in real lived experience where possible
• Design for dialogue rather than instruction
• Test cards in real workshop or community settings
• Keep visual layouts simple and readable

Translation and Localisation

When adapting cards for different languages or cultures, focus on meaning rather than direct translation. Local examples, social realities and ecological conditions may differ significantly between communities.

You may also want to adapt terminology depending on whether the cards are being used in activist spaces, educational environments, local government projects or community groups.

Exporting and Sharing

Once your cards are complete, you can export and share them in different formats depending on use.

• PNG format for digital sharing and online workshops
• PDF format for high-quality printing
• Presentation format for facilitation sessions
• Shared Canva links for collaborative editing

Printed cards work particularly well for group facilitation, participatory design and community conversations.

Always ensure the CC BY-SA licence is retained when sharing adapted versions.

Resources and Templates

• Canva Template
• Spreadsheet Data Template

Related Resources

Explore the main Just Transition Cards resource: Just Transition Cards

This project is closely related to the JEDAI Permaculture Cards.

• JEDAI Engagement Framework Cards
• How to Create JEDAI Cards