GCCF Partner organization YOUNGO draws the year 2022 to a close, we are provided with the opportunity to take stock of the past year – and what a year it was! In 2022, we saw the birth of the youth adaptation movement at the inaugural Youth Dialogue on Adaptation Action, created, led and powered by young people. Through the seven regional Youth Adaptation Forums youth-led good practices were shared, and connections that span across continents were forged.
African youth leadership was featured at the highest levels, including at COP27. And with good reason: As GCA’s report State and Trends in Adaptation 2022 shows, Africa is the continent that has the most to lose from climate change and stands to gain the most from adaptation. The entrepreneurial power of young people is crucial in adapting our world. That is why GCA, together with key partners, launched the second cohort of the YouthADAPT Solutions Challenge which supports African entrepreneurships with funding and mentorship.
2023 will mark a shift from advocacy to participation. Young people are capable of leading the charge for adaptation when provided with the tools to engage with policy-making and when given a seat at the decision-making table. In 2023, trainings and resources will be shared with the YAN on engaging with adaptation policy-making.