The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has announced the selection of 40 young changemakers from across Africa to drive youth-led initiatives addressing the impacts of climate change on migration. This is part of IOM’s Youth Capacity Enhancement Programme on Climate Mobility, aimed at equipping young leaders with the resources, skills, and networks needed to scale their impact. The chosen participants were selected from over 2,000 applicants and are already leading efforts in climate resilience, policy advocacy, and innovative solutions to support communities affected by environmental degradation, disasters, and the climate crisis.
IOM’s Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa, Mr. Frantz Celestin, highlighted that youth across the continent are already playing key roles in responding to climate migration through community engagement, research, and social entrepreneurship. Africa, with over 60 per cent of its population under the age of 25, is home to the world’s youngest and fastest-growing demographic. By 2030, its youth are expected to make up 42 per cent of the global youth population, making their involvement in climate solutions both urgent and essential.
Over the coming months, the selected youth leaders will participate in training and mentorship with experts, gaining practical skills to develop impactful climate mobility projects. These projects will align with national climate and disaster policies as well as international frameworks such as the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (KDMECC), the African Union’s Agenda 2063, the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), the Sustainable Development Goals, the Sendai Framework, and the Paris Agreement.
The 2025 cohort represents the diverse geographic, linguistic, and thematic landscape of Africa, from youth leading nature-based adaptation projects in Sahelian communities to innovators creating early warning systems for coastal towns. Their leadership will be central to fostering inclusive, community-led responses to climate mobility. This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark through the Climate Change and Migration Data Programme. IOM has also released a new resource, Claim that Space – a Youth Leadership Guide on Migration, Environment and Climate Change in Africa, to further inspire and guide young leaders in this field.
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