The Youth Cafe: Youth Climate Action Strategy | Mazingira Yetu | Uhai Wetu | Wajibu Wetu

The Youth Climate Action Strategy empowers young people to take the lead in climate action through integration in decision-making, capacity-building, and inclusiveness. It complements Kenya’s national policies while championing innovation, collaboration, and sustainable development
— Willice Onyango, Executive Director, The Youth Café

Youth Climate Action Strategy 2025–2030

Kenya is already experiencing the harsh realities of climate change—droughts, floods, biodiversity loss, natural disasters, and emerging diseases. While the government has developed strong frameworks such as the National Climate Change Action Plan (2018–2022), youth-centered engagement remains a critical gap.

Young people under 35 make up over half of Kenya’s population, yet most face unemployment or underemployment, limiting their ability to act at scale. Still, youth across the country are actively driving environmental conservation, advocacy, and innovation.

To bridge this gap, The Youth Café has launched the Youth Climate Action Strategy 2025–2030—a bold roadmap to empower young people to lead in climate action.

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🔹 Executive Summary

Climate change threatens lives and economies globally. Kenya’s climate-sensitive economy is especially vulnerable. Policies like the NCCAP and GESIP exist, but youth face barriers: limited participation, low climate literacy, and lack of leadership platforms.

This strategy positions youth as agents of change by:

  1. Integrating youth into decision-making.

  2. Building their capacity and skills.

  3. Supporting inclusive, youth-led initiatives.

🔹 Background

Youth globally are leading climate action, but gaps in resources and knowledge persist. In Kenya, youth networks are active yet need stronger support to scale their impact.

🔹 Rationale

Kenyan youth are eager to act but lack opportunities and training. The strategy bridges this gap through:

  • Integration into decision-making.

  • Capacity building for skills and knowledge.

  • Inclusive participation across communities.

🔹 Goal

To empower youth in Kenya to lead and participate in climate action initiatives at local, national, and global levels.

🔹 Objectives

  1. Integrate youth into decision-making and policy processes.

  2. Build knowledge, skills, and tools for climate action.

  3. Support inclusive, gender-sensitive youth-led initiatives.

🔹 Scope

The strategy targets:

  • Youth in school – learners, teachers, institutions.

  • Youth out of school – individuals, CBOs, NGOs, faith-based groups, and networks.

🔹 Contexts

🌐 Global: Youth = 1.2B worldwide. 71M unemployed, but green economy offers 60M new jobs by 2030. Youth movements are shaping climate discourse.

🌍 Regional (Africa): 200M youth (15–24), expected to reach 830M by 2050. High unemployment but strong innovation potential. Barriers: urgency, knowledge gaps, limited tools, exclusion from policymaking.

🇰🇪 National (Kenya): Youth (18–34) = 29% of population (13.6M). Reliance on climate-sensitive sectors makes Kenya highly vulnerable. Challenges: unemployment, low awareness, weak integration in education, limited youth participation.

🔹 SWOT Analysis (Summary)

Strengths: Energetic, innovative, active networks.
Weaknesses: Limited resources, knowledge gaps, few platforms.
Opportunities: Green jobs, policy influence, tech adoption, devolution.
Threats: High unemployment, governance challenges, direct climate impacts.

🔹 Frameworks

  • Policy: Paris Agreement, SDGs, Vision 2030, NCCAP, NAP, GESIP, Youth Policy.

  • Legal: Constitution 2010, Climate Change Act 2016, EMCA, County Governments Act.

  • Institutional: Youth Café, Ministry of Environment, CCD, Ministry of Youth, Ministry of Education.

🔹 Stakeholder Participation

The strategy relies on multi-sectoral collaboration between:

  • Government (national & county)

  • Civil society

  • Private sector

  • Media

  • Development partners

  • Youth (in and out of school)

🔹 Strategies for Engaging Youth

Priority Area 1: Integration

  • Advocate youth inclusion in policy.

  • Mainstream youth, gender, and climate in county plans.

  • Form youth-led climate committees.

Priority Area 2: Capacity-Building

  • Provide training and mentorship.

  • Expand opportunities in schools & communities.

  • Leverage digital tools & climate innovation.

Priority Area 3: Inclusiveness

  • Support partnerships for climate finance & innovation.

  • Increase youth access to green funding.

  • Establish participatory monitoring systems.

🔹 Resource Mobilization

Financing will come from national budgets, development partners, grants, and private-sector investment.

🔹 Monitoring & Evaluation

The Youth Café will track progress with digital M&E tools, youth-driven reporting, and participatory systems for accountability and learning.

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  • Readers can click to expand the sections they care about.

  • All the major details from the original document are included.