The Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship 2025 is calling on youth leaders, advocates, and innovators to take part in a transformative opportunity to drive real impact in their communities and across the region.
This prestigious fellowship offers a unique platform for young people to strengthen their leadership capacity, engage in climate policy, and advocate for environmental justice in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. Applications are now open—don’t miss your chance to be part of a movement that’s building a just and sustainable future.
Why the Lake Chad Region Matters in the Climate Justice Conversation
The Lake Chad region—spanning parts of Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon—has been at the center of a worsening environmental crisis for decades. Once one of Africa’s largest freshwater lakes, Lake Chad has shrunk by nearly 90% since the 1960s due to a combination of climate change, population pressure, unsustainable land use, and prolonged droughts.
The consequences of this degradation are far-reaching:
- Livelihoods dependent on agriculture, fishing, and herding are under severe threat.
- Communities face growing food insecurity, water scarcity, and displacement.
- Environmental stresses have contributed to instability and conflict in the region.
Yet, despite these challenges, youth across the Lake Chad Basin are stepping up as bold advocates for climate justice—calling for solutions that center local voices, equity, and sustainability.
What Is the Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship?
The Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship 2025 is a leadership program designed to empower a new generation of climate champions from the Lake Chad Basin. It brings together passionate young people who are ready to lead climate action, influence policy, and create community-led solutions.
The fellowship aims to:
- Build the leadership capacity of youth to address climate change and environmental injustice.
- Equip fellows with policy, advocacy, and communication skills.
- Support the implementation of community climate action projects.
- Foster regional collaboration and solidarity among youth from different Lake Chad countries.
This is more than a training program—it’s a launchpad for young leaders to turn ideas into action and become a voice for the most affected yet least heard populations.
Who Should Apply?
The fellowship is open to young people aged 18–35 from Nigeria, Niger, Chad, and Cameroon who are passionate about climate justice, sustainable development, and community empowerment.
Ideal candidates are:
- Emerging youth leaders with experience in environmental work, grassroots organizing, or social impact.
- Students or graduates in fields related to environmental science, policy, agriculture, energy, or international development.
- Activists, creatives, or communicators using media, art, or storytelling to highlight climate issues.
- Community organizers implementing local projects or campaigns related to climate adaptation and resilience.
The fellowship values diversity and encourages applications from young women, Indigenous youth, people with disabilities, and others from underrepresented backgrounds.
What Fellows Will Gain
Participating in the Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship offers numerous personal and professional benefits:
🌱 Leadership Development
Fellows engage in structured workshops and mentorship sessions focused on:
- Climate change and environmental policy
- Climate justice frameworks
- Advocacy strategies
- Project design and management
- Gender and inclusion in climate action
🌍 Regional Networking
Connect with a vibrant network of like-minded youth, climate experts, and civil society leaders across Lake Chad Basin countries. Fellows will collaborate on regional dialogues and joint campaigns, fostering long-term partnerships.
📢 Policy Influence
Fellows will have opportunities to engage in national and regional platforms, contribute to climate advocacy agendas, and participate in dialogues with policymakers, civil society, and international organizations.
💡 Community Impact
Fellows receive support to design and implement climate action projects in their communities. These projects may focus on:
- Climate education and awareness
- Ecosystem restoration
- Renewable energy promotion
- Youth mobilization and inclusion
Fellowship alumni are often supported in scaling up their initiatives and connecting with donors or partners to expand impact.
Timeline and Structure
The Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship 2025 runs for approximately 6–9 months, blending in-person and virtual activities. Key phases include:
- Orientation and Learning Modules (Virtual)
Foundational training on climate justice and leadership. - Regional Convening (In-Person, Location TBD)
A multi-day gathering for peer learning, networking, and capacity building. - Project Implementation (Home Country)
Fellows return to their communities to execute local action plans with mentorship and support. - Showcase and Graduation
Fellows present project outcomes, celebrate achievements, and join the alumni network.
All selected fellows receive full sponsorship, which may include training materials, travel support, accommodation (for in-person events), and seed funding for community projects.
Why Youth Leadership Is Essential for Climate Justice
Youth are not just victims of climate change—they are agents of change. Around the Lake Chad Basin, young people are leading the charge with innovation, energy, and a deep connection to their communities.
The climate justice framework goes beyond carbon emissions—it addresses the root causes of environmental vulnerability, including colonial legacies, inequality, and exclusion. It centers the voices of those most affected by the crisis—like the communities living around the shrinking Lake Chad—and demands solutions that are fair, inclusive, and locally led.
By investing in youth leadership through this fellowship, the Lake Chad region is nurturing a generation that understands the intersection of climate, conflict, gender, and development—and is ready to create lasting change.
How to Apply
Ready to be part of the Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship 2025?
🔗 Apply online: [Insert application portal link]
📅 Deadline: May 11, 2025
📝 Required documents typically include:
- Updated CV/resumé
- Personal statement or motivation letter
- Description of a proposed community project (if applicable)
- Reference letter (optional but encouraged)
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Final Thoughts: Your Leadership Journey Starts Now
The future of the Lake Chad region depends on bold, visionary leaders who are committed to climate justice and collective action. The Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship 2025 is more than a training—it’s a movement to equip youth with the tools, knowledge, and networks to lead their communities toward resilience and sustainability.
