Young Africans passionate about climate action, sustainable agriculture, food systems transformation, and regional development now have an exciting opportunity to become part of a growing movement shaping the future of climate resilience in Eastern Africa.

Applications are officially open for the IGAD Regional Youth Coalition on Climate and Climate-Resilient Agri-food Systems 2026, an initiative designed to amplify youth voices in climate adaptation, agricultural sustainability, food security, and policy engagement across the IGAD region.

As climate change continues to impact livelihoods, food systems, ecosystems, and rural economies throughout Africa, this coalition seeks to empower young people to actively contribute to regional conversations and solutions around climate-smart agriculture and resilient agri-food systems.

The programme offers a unique platform for young climate advocates, agripreneurs, researchers, students, sustainability professionals, and youth-led organizations to collaborate, engage policymakers, and participate in strategic climate and agricultural development initiatives.

About the IGAD Regional Youth Coalition on Climate and Climate-Resilient Agri-food Systems

The IGAD Regional Youth Coalition is a regional initiative focused on strengthening youth participation in climate adaptation and climate-resilient agri-food systems transformation across Eastern Africa.

The coalition is part of broader efforts to ensure that young people are not only included in climate discussions but are also recognized as active contributors to policy development, resilience-building strategies, and sustainable agricultural transformation.

The programme recognizes that climate shocks are increasingly affecting:

• Food security
• Agricultural productivity
• Rural livelihoods
• Water systems
• Environmental sustainability
• Economic resilience

By bringing together young leaders from across IGAD member states, the initiative aims to build a collaborative youth ecosystem capable of driving sustainable and locally relevant climate solutions.

Why Climate-Resilient Agri-food Systems Matter in Africa

Africa remains one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change despite contributing minimally to global greenhouse gas emissions.

Across Eastern Africa, communities are already experiencing:

• Droughts
• Flooding
• Desertification
• Food shortages
• Crop failures
• Livestock losses
• Economic instability linked to climate shocks

Climate-resilient agri-food systems are increasingly becoming essential for ensuring long-term food security, sustainable development, and economic resilience.

This initiative focuses on empowering young Africans to participate in conversations and actions that address these urgent challenges through innovation, collaboration, and policy engagement.

Objectives of the IGAD Youth Coalition

The initiative seeks to:

1. Strengthen youth engagement in climate resilience discussions
2. Promote sustainable and climate-smart agricultural practices
3. Facilitate regional collaboration among young climate leaders
4. Encourage youth participation in policy and advocacy processes
5. Build awareness around sustainable food systems
6. Support youth-led climate adaptation initiatives
7. Create platforms for knowledge exchange and networking

The coalition is designed not only as a networking platform but also as a strategic mechanism for integrating youth perspectives into regional climate and agricultural development agendas.

What Selected Participants Will Gain

Young people selected for the coalition will benefit from multiple opportunities that can strengthen both their professional development and regional impact.

1. Regional Networking Opportunities

Participants will connect with:

• Youth leaders across Eastern Africa
• Climate experts
• Agricultural specialists
• Policymakers
• Development partners
• Sustainability advocates

These connections can help participants build collaborations, partnerships, and long-term professional relationships.

2. Participation in Climate and Food Systems Discussions

Coalition members will engage in:

• Regional climate dialogues
• Sustainable agriculture conversations
• Food systems transformation discussions
• Policy engagement sessions
• Advocacy initiatives

This provides valuable exposure to regional policy and development processes.

3. Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Development

Participants will have opportunities to:

• Share experiences and best practices
• Learn from experts and peers
• Improve understanding of climate-smart agriculture
• Gain insights into regional resilience strategies

The initiative encourages peer-to-peer learning and collaborative problem-solving.

4. Policy and Advocacy Engagement

One of the strongest aspects of the programme is its emphasis on youth participation in climate and policy conversations.

Participants may contribute to:

• Advocacy campaigns
• Climate resilience strategies
• Regional development discussions
• Sustainable agriculture policy conversations

This ensures that youth perspectives remain visible in regional decision-making processes.

5. Increased Visibility and Leadership Development

The coalition offers young Africans an opportunity to strengthen their leadership presence within the climate and sustainability space.

Participants can gain:

• Regional recognition
• Public engagement experience
• Leadership development opportunities
• Advocacy experience
• Greater visibility for their work and initiatives

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Many climate programmes focus heavily on conferences, awareness campaigns, or short-term engagements. However, the IGAD Regional Youth Coalition stands out because of its long-term and strategic focus on building a regional ecosystem around climate resilience and sustainable agri-food systems.

Key Features That Make This Programme Unique

1. Strong Regional Collaboration

The initiative connects youth leaders across multiple IGAD member countries, encouraging cross-border collaboration and regional solidarity.

2. Focus on Agriculture and Food Security

Rather than addressing climate change in isolation, the programme directly links climate resilience to agriculture, food systems, and livelihoods.

3. Youth-Centered Policy Engagement

The coalition prioritizes youth participation in climate governance and resilience conversations, ensuring that young voices contribute meaningfully to policy discussions.

4. Sustainability and Long-Term Impact

The initiative promotes long-term engagement and ecosystem-building rather than one-time participation.

Who Should Apply?

The programme is ideal for young Africans interested in climate resilience, sustainability, agriculture, and regional development.

Suitable Applicants Include:

• Young climate advocates
• Sustainability professionals
• Agripreneurs
• Food systems innovators
• Researchers
• University students
• Policy enthusiasts
• Youth-led organizations
• Community organizers
• Environmental activists

Applicants with experience or strong interest in climate-smart agriculture, environmental sustainability, and community-based development are particularly encouraged to apply.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants are generally expected to:

• Be young individuals from IGAD member countries
• Demonstrate interest or experience in climate change, agriculture, or food systems
• Participate in youth, community, advocacy, or research initiatives
• Show commitment to sustainability and climate resilience
• Demonstrate passion for regional development and environmental impact

The programme welcomes applicants from diverse academic, professional, and social backgrounds.

Benefits of Joining the Coalition

Participants may gain:

• Regional exposure and visibility
• Networking opportunities
• Policy engagement experience
• Collaboration with climate experts
• Participation in advocacy initiatives
• Enhanced knowledge in climate-resilient agriculture
• Leadership development opportunities
• Access to regional climate discussions

Application Deadline

The application deadline is May 22, 2026.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible because regional opportunities like this often attract a large number of applications from across Africa.

Read more HERE and apply HERE.

Conclusion

The IGAD Regional Youth Coalition on Climate and Climate-Resilient Agri-food Systems represents an important opportunity for young Africans to actively contribute to the future of climate adaptation, food security, and sustainable agriculture across Eastern Africa.

As climate challenges continue to intensify globally, empowering young people to participate in resilience-building and policy development is becoming increasingly important.

This initiative provides a meaningful platform for youth to collaborate, influence discussions, strengthen leadership skills, and help shape sustainable solutions for their communities and the continent at large.

Young Africans passionate about climate action, sustainable development, agriculture, and regional transformation should strongly consider applying for this opportunity.

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