Deadline: 22-May-2026
The IGAD Regional Youth Coalition on Climate and Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems is a regional initiative designed to strengthen youth participation in climate action and sustainable agriculture.
It is established by the IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre with support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA).
The coalition brings together youth and youth-led organisations working on climate solutions, particularly in agriculture and other climate-sensitive sectors.
Core Purpose
The initiative aims to:
- Strengthen youth-led climate action across the IGAD region
- Support climate-resilient agriculture and agri-food systems
- Enhance youth participation in climate policy and innovation
- Improve access to climate services and resources
- Build stronger networks for youth collaboration
- Scale impactful youth-led climate solutions
Key Focus Areas
The coalition focuses on:
- Climate action and environmental sustainability
- Climate-resilient agri-food systems
- Sustainable agriculture practices
- Youth-led innovation in climate solutions
- Climate adaptation and mitigation strategies
- Access to climate information and services
- Climate-sensitive sector development
- Youth advocacy and policy engagement
- Knowledge exchange and capacity building
Programme Challenges Addressed
The initiative responds to key barriers faced by youth-led organisations:
- Limited access to climate financing and funding opportunities
- Lack of mentorship and technical guidance
- Insufficient business development support
- Weak institutional backing for youth initiatives
- Limited access to climate services and data
- Challenges in scaling climate solutions
Programme Structure and Support
The coalition provides:
- Expert-led mentoring sessions
- Interactive learning and training workshops
- Knowledge-sharing platforms
- Collaboration and networking opportunities
- Institutional support mechanisms
- Access to climate and agricultural expertise
- Youth-led advocacy platforms
Objectives of the Coalition
The initiative is designed to:
- Strengthen youth leadership in climate action
- Support innovation in climate-resilient agriculture
- Promote sustainable agri-food system transformation
- Build regional youth collaboration networks
- Enhance access to climate knowledge and tools
- Scale successful youth-led climate projects
- Improve policy engagement by young leaders
Expected Outcomes
Through this initiative, expected outcomes include:
- Stronger and more connected youth climate networks
- Increased innovation in climate-smart agriculture
- Improved access to climate services and information
- Expanded youth participation in climate governance
- Greater visibility of youth-led climate solutions
- Enhanced resilience in agri-food systems across the region
Target Beneficiaries
The coalition primarily supports:
- Youth-led organisations working on climate action
- Young innovators in agriculture and agri-food systems
- Climate-focused social enterprises and initiatives
- Emerging leaders in climate-sensitive sectors
Key Thematic Areas
The programme aligns with broader development themes:
- Climate change adaptation and mitigation
- Food security and sustainable agriculture
- Youth empowerment and leadership
- Environmental sustainability
- Regional cooperation and integration
- Climate innovation and technology adoption
Importance of the Initiative
This coalition is important because it:
- Strengthens the role of youth in addressing climate change
- Bridges gaps in funding and technical support
- Encourages regional collaboration across IGAD countries
- Promotes sustainable and climate-resilient food systems
- Supports long-term environmental and economic resilience
Common Barriers for Youth Initiatives
The programme highlights systemic challenges such as:
- Inadequate funding for scaling climate projects
- Weak institutional engagement with youth groups
- Limited access to training and capacity building
- Lack of structured mentorship systems
- Insufficient integration into policy processes
How the Coalition Responds
The initiative addresses these barriers by:
- Creating structured mentorship networks
- Offering learning and collaboration platforms
- Connecting youth to climate experts and institutions
- Supporting advocacy and policy engagement
- Encouraging knowledge exchange across countries
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the IGAD Youth Coalition?
- A regional platform supporting youth-led climate action
- Focused on climate-resilient agriculture and agri-food systems
- Designed to strengthen collaboration and capacity building
- Who established the coalition?
- IGAD Climate Prediction and Applications Centre
- With support from the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA)
- Who can participate?
- Youth and youth-led organisations in the IGAD region
- Initiatives working on climate action and agriculture
- What support is provided?
- Mentorship, training, networking, and knowledge-sharing
- Access to climate services and collaboration opportunities
- What sectors are included?
- Agriculture and agri-food systems
- Climate-sensitive sectors broadly
- Innovation and environmental sustainability
- What are the main goals?
- Strengthen youth leadership in climate action
- Scale sustainable agriculture solutions
- Improve regional collaboration and knowledge exchange
Conclusion
The IGAD Regional Youth Coalition on Climate and Climate-Resilient Agri-Food Systems is a strategic initiative empowering young people to lead climate action across the region. By providing mentorship, collaboration opportunities, and access to climate knowledge, it strengthens youth-driven innovation and supports the development of sustainable and resilient agri-food systems.
For more information, visit ICPAC.