The African Youth Negotiators Fellowship, a capacity-building program of the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), is designed to equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively engage in climate governance, diplomacy, and negotiations, particularly within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) processes. As young people across Africa amplify their voices in multilateral platforms—especially in climate-related matters—there has been a steady increase in youth participation at the UNFCCC Conferences of the Parties (COP). However, while progress has been made, youth involvement remains limited, highlighting the need for targeted capacity-building to ensure their contributions are impactful and relevant.
Since its inception in 2022, the Fellowship has provided participants with a comprehensive understanding of the UNFCCC process and deeper insights into the key negotiation tracks that shape COP outcomes. Each year, the program brings together a diverse group of young people from government, civil society, academia, and marginalized communities, training them to navigate and engage meaningfully with the UNFCCC process.
Benefits of the Fellowship
This Fellowship aims to empower participants to:
- Understand the history, governance, and institutional frameworks of climate change, and the roles of key stakeholders.
- Recognize the importance of national delegations and the critical role of youth in climate negotiations.
- Facilitate active youth involvement in policy formulation, negotiation, and the implementation of COP outcomes at the national level.
- Master key mechanisms within the UNFCCC, including Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), climate finance, technology, and transparency frameworks.
- Summarize the outcomes of annual UNFCCC conferences, including COP, CMP, and CMA.
- Understand the process and implications of ratifying UNFCCC treaties in national contexts.
- Actively participate in COP negotiations with enhanced knowledge of the negotiation process.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Fellowship, applicants must:
- Be 35 years old or younger.
- Demonstrate a strong passion for climate change.
- Have experience or interest in international and national climate policies.
- Be able to commit to the full 4-week training program.
Time Commitment
The Fellowship spans 4 weeks:
- 1 week of in-person sessions.
- 3 weeks of online training.
Note: Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. The 2024 cohort is open exclusively to Ghanaians.
Duration: 4 weeks
Application Deadline: September 30 2024
