PAN-AFRICAN YOUTH ADAPTATION FORUM, KENYA
In 2025 in the lead up to COP30, Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), in partnership with The Youth Cafe and other local youth organizations, will organize “African Youth Adaptation Forums” to build a network of youth engaged with adaptation and spotlight youth-led adaptation solutions. Youth Adaptation Forums have been held in Uganda, Ghana, and Zambia.
On the 5th September, Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) and The Youth Cafe will bring together 400 students, youth-led organizations, universities, government representatives, and adaptation experts from 50 countries to engage in an adaptation exchange at the Youth Adaptation Forum Kenya.
Youth voices from Kenya, Africa, and around the world will come together to share their needs for building a climate- resilient future, as well as recommendations for governments and decision-makers.
The Youth Adaptation Forum will highlight the voices of youth and spotlight adaptation solutions from over 50 countries. Results from the Youth Adaptation Forum Kenya will be presented to decision makers at COP30.
Overall goal
Grow the Youth Adaptation Network (YAN) in Africa as the largest platform to connect youth organizations and young people.
Objectives
Provide a platform to exchange good practices and showcase youth-led adaptation solutions.
Raise awareness and increase knowledge of adaptation.
Connect young leaders and foster collaboration to build resilient economies across Africa.
Why the African Youth Adaptation Forums?
The world is home to the largest population of young people in history, with 1.21 billion young people aged 15-24 living in the world today.
Africa has the youngest population in the world. Some 70% of people in sub-Saharan Africa are under the age of 30, yet its youth are among the most vulnerable to climate change.
Young people are effective actors in climate adaptation. When empowered, young people can build climate resilience and adaptive capacity in their communities to enable a sustainable response to the impacts of climate change.
Methodology
The Forums will be co-hosted by GCA and a youth organization based in the host country, in a university or partner institution. The forums will include
Keynote lectures
Panels showcasing youth-led adaptation solution
Adaptation exhibition
About the Global Center on Adaptation
The Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) is an international organization working to accelerate action on adapting to climate change. GCA supports climate adaptation solutions at the international and the local levels, partnering with the public and the private sector.
The Global Center on Adaptation’s (GCA) Youth Leadership and Education program aims to connect and train young people to create climate-resilient economies and to feature African youth leadership across the world. The program’s mission is to identify and address the needs and challenges that young people face in engaging with climate adaptation, as well as showcase youth-led best adaptation practices.
CONTACT DETAILS
For more information, please contact:
Adriana Valenzuela, Youth Leadership and
Education Thematic Lead, at info@theyouthcafe.com