The African Youth Research Challenge (AYRC) is a major continental initiative empowering young African researchers to contribute directly to climate knowledge, influence policy, and strengthen Africa’s climate resilience.
Jointly launched by the Mohammed VI Foundation’s African Youth Climate Hub (AYCH) and UNESCO’s Youth Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN), the Challenge supports African youth (18–35) in producing cutting-edge research on the impacts of climate change in Africa and developing evidence-based policy recommendations.
What is the African Youth Research Challenge?
A youth-led research program designed to:
- Build scientific and social research skills
- Strengthen youth capacity to inform climate policy
- Generate new climate knowledge from African perspectives
- Foster collaboration between young researchers, policymakers & experts
- Inspire intergenerational dialogue and amplify youth voices in climate action
The Challenge includes a call for research papers, capacity-building, expert mentoring, and the transformation of selected research papers into policy briefs for African decision-makers.
Who Can Apply?
Open to African youth aged 18–35 who are:
- Of African nationality/origin
- Living in Africa OR enrolled in an African university
- Holding at least a Bachelor’s degree (minimum)
- Experienced or interested in climate-related research
Participants must submit original, non-plagiarized research in English, French, or Arabic.
Why Participate?
Selected youth researchers gain:
- High-level climate research training
- Mentorship from experts and academics
- Opportunity to publish research & policy briefs
- Participation in policy dialogues with African institutions
- Access to continental youth climate networks
- Visibility across UNESCO and AYCH platforms
Although no financial remuneration is provided for papers, selected authors receive extensive training, visibility, and direct pathways to decision-making spaces.
Research Themes
Papers must address climate change in Africa and fall within one of the key categories:
1. Resilience, Adaptation & Mitigation
One Health, public health, biodiversity, environmental science, agriculture, energy, disaster risk reduction, indigenous knowledge, and more.
2. Regeneration of Ecosystems
Water security, hydrology, marine science, coastal resilience, recycling, ecosystem restoration.
3. Public Policy & Climate-Smart Governance
Climate governance, economics, political science, media & communication, environmental law, sociology, culture, and education.
4. Cross-Cutting Areas
Engineering, AI & digital technologies, just transition, blue/green economies, gender and inclusion.
Spatial Focus: The African continent
Time Frame: Issues from the past 7 years
Paper Requirements
- Maximum 10 pages, single-spaced, Times New Roman 11
- Standard academic structure (abstract → methods → results → discussion → references)
- Must disclose any use of AI tools
- Ethics approval required if using primary data
Timeline (2026–2027)
| Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Call for Proposals Launch | February 2026 |
| Submission Window | Feb–15 May 2026 (23:59 CET) |
| Evaluation | May–June 2026 |
| Announcement of laureates | June 2026 |
| Intensive training (Morocco) | July–Sept 2026 |
| Research & policy analysis | July–Sept 2026 |
| Policy paper drafting | Sept–Dec 2026 |
| High-level policy dialogue | Late 2026 |
| Publication & translation | Late 2026–2027 |
| Final evaluation | Late 2026–2027 |
How to Participate
- Apply for the Youth Committee
- Submit a research proposal to the AYRC Call for Papers
About the Organizers
African Youth Climate Hub (AYCH)
A pan-African platform empowering youth in climate knowledge, skills, innovation, and leadership. Supported by the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection and key partners across Africa.
Youth UNESCO Climate Action Network (YoU-CAN)
UNESCO’s global youth climate network promoting youth-led climate action through education, science, culture, and communication.
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