Deadline: 26-May-2026
The Digital Opportunity Trust Climate Champions Program is a youth-focused climate initiative designed to build a movement of young climate leaders in Kenya and Jordan.
The programme is based on the idea that:
- Young people are powerful changemakers
- Community participation is essential for climate resilience
- Local knowledge and youth leadership can drive sustainable climate solutions
Supported through funding from Cisco, the initiative uses a hybrid learning and community engagement model to train and support Climate Champions who will work directly with local communities.
Programme Focus Areas
The programme focuses on:
- Youth-led climate action
- Environmental education
- Climate awareness
- Participatory action research (PAR)
- Community-led climate solutions
- Climate adaptation
- Sustainability
- Digital literacy
- Social media advocacy
- Leadership development
- Community engagement
- Indigenous knowledge systems
- Climate resilience building
The initiative combines climate learning with practical community-based implementation.
How the Programme Works
The programme recruits and trains young local leaders as Climate Champions.
Participants will:
- Complete climate leadership training
- Conduct participatory action research
- Mobilize community members
- Lead awareness campaigns
- Co-design climate solutions with communities
- Facilitate local climate engagement activities
The programme emphasizes collaboration between youth leaders and local communities to develop context-specific environmental solutions.
Hybrid Training Structure
Selected participants will take part in a:
- Four-week hybrid training programme beginning in June 2026
The training includes:
- Three weeks of virtual learning sessions
- One week of in-person training
Training content is based on:
- DOT Climate Curriculum
- Participatory Action Research (PAR) Toolkit
The curriculum focuses on practical climate leadership and community facilitation skills.
Activities Climate Champions Will Lead
After training, Climate Champions will:
- Conduct baseline surveys
- Gather community climate insights
- Mobilize and coach community members
- Establish Participatory Action Research working groups
- Facilitate climate discussions
- Co-design local climate solutions
- Implement awareness campaigns
- Document and present learning outcomes
Participants will also prepare:
- Reports
- Presentations
- Community findings
- Climate action recommendations
The programme promotes hands-on climate engagement and local problem-solving.
Skills Participants Will Develop
Participants will strengthen a range of professional and leadership skills, including:
- Climate leadership
- Community facilitation
- Communication skills
- Negotiation skills
- Digital literacy
- Research methods
- Social media advocacy
- Climate coaching
- Participatory research techniques
- Project coordination
The programme combines technical climate knowledge with practical leadership development.
Benefits for Selected Participants
Participants who successfully complete the programme will receive:
- A completion certificate
- Access to the DOT Alumni network
- Membership in a global climate network
- A climate action project portfolio
- Leadership and community engagement experience
These opportunities may support:
- Future employment
- Climate advocacy work
- Social entrepreneurship
- Academic advancement
- Community leadership roles
Geographic Focus
The opportunity is open to:
- Young people in Nairobi
- Applicants from surrounding areas in Kenya
The programme aims to strengthen local climate action at the community level.
Eligibility Criteria
Applicants should:
- Be young people based in Nairobi or nearby areas
- Have interest in environmental sustainability
- Be interested in community-based climate initiatives
- Demonstrate motivation for youth leadership and climate engagement
The programme prioritizes:
- New applicants
- Individuals who have not previously participated in Cisco-supported DOT climate programmes
Who Is Not Eligible?
The following individuals are not eligible:
- Previous beneficiaries of DOT Kenya Cisco Climate Champions cohorts
- Participants from earlier Cisco-supported climate projects under DOT Kenya
The programme is designed to expand opportunities for first-time participants.
Participatory Action Research (PAR) in the Programme
A major component of the initiative is Participatory Action Research (PAR).
PAR involves:
- Community participation in identifying challenges
- Collaborative problem-solving
- Shared decision-making
- Evidence-based local action
This approach helps communities:
- Develop locally relevant climate responses
- Strengthen ownership of climate initiatives
- Build long-term resilience
The programme encourages communities to actively shape climate solutions rather than receiving externally designed interventions.
Why This Programme Matters
Climate change continues to affect communities through:
Young people are increasingly playing critical roles in:
- Climate advocacy
- Sustainability innovation
- Community resilience
- Environmental awareness
The DOT Climate Champions Program helps equip youth with:
- Practical climate leadership skills
- Community engagement experience
- Research and advocacy tools
- Networks for long-term climate action
The initiative also supports local climate adaptation strategies rooted in community knowledge and participation.
How to Prepare a Strong Application
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate passion for climate action
- Highlight community involvement experience
- Show interest in sustainability and environmental issues
- Explain leadership or volunteer experience
- Emphasize willingness to work with local communities
- Demonstrate communication and teamwork skills
Strong applicants often show:
- Commitment to community development
- Interest in climate education
- Motivation to create local environmental impact
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting incomplete applications
- Providing unclear motivation statements
- Failing to explain community interest
- Ignoring programme eligibility rules
- Applying despite previous participation in Cisco-supported DOT climate cohorts
Applications that clearly show commitment to climate leadership and community engagement are generally stronger.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the DOT Climate Champions Program?
It is a youth climate leadership initiative that trains young people to lead community-based climate action and participatory climate research activities.
Who is supporting the programme?
The programme is implemented by Digital Opportunity Trust with support from Cisco.
Where will the programme take place?
The programme is open to young people in:
- Nairobi
- Surrounding areas in Kenya
What training will participants receive?
Participants will complete:
- Three weeks of virtual training
- One week of in-person training
Training focuses on climate leadership, participatory action research, and community engagement.
What activities will Climate Champions conduct?
Participants will:
- Conduct surveys
- Mobilize communities
- Lead climate discussions
- Facilitate PAR groups
- Co-design local climate solutions
- Share findings and reports
What benefits do participants receive?
Participants receive:
- Certificates
- Alumni network access
- Global climate network participation
- Leadership and climate action experience
- Project portfolio development
Who is not eligible to apply?
Previous participants in DOT Kenya Cisco Climate Champions cohorts or Cisco-supported climate projects are not eligible.
Conclusion
The DOT Climate Champions Program provides an important platform for young people in Kenya to lead community-driven climate action through education, participatory research, and local sustainability initiatives. By combining climate leadership training with practical field engagement, the programme helps strengthen resilience, environmental awareness, and youth participation in climate solutions.
Young leaders interested in sustainability, community engagement, and climate advocacy can benefit from valuable skills development, networking opportunities, and hands-on experience that supports long-term environmental and social impact.
For more information, visit DOT Kenya.