NGYouthSDGs Launches Project on Youth Leadership in Climate Action Policies, Implementation

The Network of Youth for Sustainable Initiative (NGYouthSDGs) has announced the launch of the “Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria” project.

Daily Trust reports that with support from the German Missions in Nigeria, the initiative aims to equip youth-led civil society organisations (CSOs) in partnership with young people in their local communities to initiate, drive and transform policies that will lead to the implementation of Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

In a statement, NGYouthSDGs said: “The “Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities in Nigeria” project will work with 15 youth organisations from Delta, Enugu, Kaduna, Ondo and Nasarawa states.

“Through carefully designed capacity development sessions, these youth organisations will learn how to support Nigeria’s National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

“The trained CSOs will work together to mobilise
young people and youth stakeholders in their states to facilitate the meaningful engagement of youth in the implementation of the NAP and NDCs including a National Sustainable Futures Dialogue with at least two hundred young people, therefore, raising awareness about the NAPs and the NDCs across the country.”

It said the youth CSOs will be equipped with tools to work with their communities to create a Local Adaptation Plan of Action (LAPA) which will be shared with their state government to ensure young people are in the driver’s seat on policies that affect them.

“The project will also provide technical support to not just the state government but other government agencies and ministries like the Federal Ministry of Environment on effective dialogue and meaningful youth engagement in the implementation of the NAP and NDCs,” the statement said.

Joshua Alade, Founder of NGYouthSDGs, emphasised the critical role of youth in shaping Nigeria’s future.

Alade said: “If young people are aware of their rights, and they can communicate and mobilise other young people as servant leaders in their communities, they can build alliances and sit with decision-makers to create programs and policies that will help youth to lead and thrive.

“This project perfectly aligns with our mission to resource youth leaders and youth-led organisations to influence policies that enable young Nigerians to lead and thrive.”