Photo credit: Youth Negotiators Academy
Young people bear a disproportionate burden of climate change – they will live with it longest, and have a great stake in changing the trajectory of a planet struggling with environmental degradation. Still, for too long, children and youth have often been excluded from discussions about energy policy, sustainable agriculture, city planning, and other components of climate action and emergency response.
The Global Environment Facility is working to change this on an international scale. The GEF's commitment to youth engagement is grounded in its policies, for instance, the Policy on Stakeholder Engagement that mandates fair, balanced, and inclusive participation in governance and operations, with youth and children as key stakeholders. The GEF also has several programs providing youth with access to funding, such as the Small Grants Programme for community-based projects, empowering local organizations to address environmental challenges; or the Gustavo Fonseca Leadership Program that supports the professional development of young conservationists from developing countries through fellowships, grants, and international networking opportunities.
Beyond funding, the GEF also promotes youth leadership in climate action. For instance, at the UN Framework Convention for Climate Change COP29 in Azerbaijan, we have collaborated with the Youth Negotiators Academy to enable youth leaders to join national delegations and both learn and be heard in negotiating rooms. After an intensive training session, these young negotiators have joined their national delegations with GEF financial support, giving them a seat at the table in international climate negotiations and an opportunity to advocate for more inclusive solutions.
Photo credit: Youth Negotiators Academy
Hear from 12 young negotiators about why their participation in Baku is meaningful to them:
For Asmau Muhammad Yahaya, who works with Nigeria’s National Council on Climate Change, there is a strong imperative to encourage more participation of youth and women in climate decision-making. “I’ve seen firsthand how community engagement and intergenerational equity can create sustainable solutions,” she said. “It’s about ensuring that the voices of young people from affected communities are heard. Our projects are only successful when they are truly inclusive, bringing groups together, from women, youth and people with disabilities.”
Kealeboha Lenka, a project assistant with Lesotho Meteorological Services, has seen the harsh realities of climate impacts in rural areas where poverty and lack of infrastructure can increase vulnerability. “Young people bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and energy to challenges like climate-resilient jobs and community resilience,” she said, describing how empowering young people in rural areas can build support for climate-smart agriculture and early warning systems. “I’m focused on skills development, advocating for training in climate-resilient jobs and creating local economic opportunities for all.”
Astry Lucero, an engineer and national youth representative in Peru’s climate commission, stressed that the experiences of all people must shape climate policy. “Women and youth suffer from structural gaps that are exacerbated by the multiples crisis we are living. It’s crucial to ensure that response measures and funding for adaptation reach those who need it most,” she said.
“The youth will continue to be attentive to the inclusion of all voices and the defense of human rights in climate response measures. We will follow closely the commitments of our countries at the national and international levels, demanding action and political will to increase climate ambition,” she added. “Being part of decisions that affect our present and future is non-negotiable.”
Photo credit: Youth Negotiators Academy
For Adiaratou Traore, from Mali, ensuring food self-sufficiency and access to clean water are crucial aspects of climate adaptation. She emphasized the need to combat land degradation and adopt sustainable agricultural technologies. "As a young African my priority is to fight for arable land and implement strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change," she said.
Michelle Gaelle Simeone Bidima, specialist in agronomy from Burkina Faso, highlighted the importance of climate-resilient agriculture and sustainable land use, saying that empowering young farmers through education and capacity building is crucial. "We need to support initiatives that reduce reliance on chemicals, enhance biodiversity, and ensure that young people have a voice in agricultural decision-making," she said.
Ana María Mateo Ramírez, head of the Risk Management Department at the Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources from the Dominican Republic, underlined the need to strengthen governance and secure reliable access to international climate finance to address the challenges posed by rising sea levels and extreme weather events, particularly to small island states. "We must prioritize nature-based solutions, focusing on restoring and protecting ecosystems like coastal zones, which are vital for building resilience," she said.
Silvana Peralta, an agricultural engineer working on the National Adaptation Plan from Paraguay, stressed the challenges faced by landlocked countries, particularly the impact of droughts on trade and economic activity. She emphasizes the importance of developing robust indicators to track progress towards the Global Goal on Adaptation. "Establishing clear, measurable indicators is essential to drive ambitious adaptation efforts and ensure that climate action stays on course,” she said.
Linet Ndou, executive director at Ukuna Environmental Association, from Zimbabwe highlighted the need to address climate change impacts such as irregular weather patterns and water scarcity, championing the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices and water conservation strategies. "Young people are key stakeholders in shaping a sustainable future," she said. "They bring fresh perspectives, innovative ideas, and a strong commitment to social and environmental justice."
Farhan Fauzan, technical analyst at the Directorate of Climate Change of Indonesia, stressed the need for research and development, and technology transfer, for long-term climate resilience. He emphasized the need to raise climate change awareness among youth to support youth empowerment, networking, and participation related to climate planning, saying this would “encourage and give them motivation to move and improve work in fields related to science, technology, and innovation to address climate change."
Megan Chen, focal point to the CTCN of Panama, highlighted the importance of conducting technology needs assessments to identify specific technological requirements for climate action. She advocated for youth involvement in this process, stating: "It's important for us to understand how we can do it ourselves. Youth better understand technology and that is easier for us to use, apply, even explain.”
Photo credit: Youth Negotiators Academy
Ann Albert, deputy assistant secretary for mitigation from Micronesia, emphasized the importance of decarbonizing the energy sector, particularly for Small Island Developing States (SIDS). "As a youth from a SIDS, I've witnessed firsthand the impacts of drought, sea level rise, and saltwater intrusion," she said, highlighting Micronesia's ambitious goals of achieving 100 percent electrification nationwide and 70 percent renewable energy by 2030. "It's crucial for young people to be involved in climate negotiations," she said. "Our voices represent the future, and we're deeply committed to finding solutions for our vulnerable communities."
Yundeh A. Butler, acting executive director for the Liberia Rural women Organization for Climate Actions, called for community ownership and youth inclusion in mangrove conservation. "One of the key challenges is to ensure that communities are not just educated about mangroves, but also become the primary protectors of these vital resources," she said, noting the importance of prioritizing mangroves in national climate commitments and ensuring access to climate finance for local youth and women. "This will enable them to be at the forefront of conservation efforts, advocating for change at all levels," she said.
