Youth are leaders of today.

Together, we can empower young leaders to create, sustain, and scale initiatives in service of people and planet.

A group of diverse young people smiling and waving in a colorful indoor space with a large digital screen that says 'Youth Climate' in the background.

WHAT WE DO

Youth Climate Collaborative is a global, youth-led organization building an ecosystem of support for young people (ages 35 and under) to advance climate leadership in service of people and planet.

We build the conditions for young people to create, sustain, and scale climate action by nurturing wellbeing, building capacity, expanding access to resources and decision-making spaces, and fostering intergenerational collaboration.

When we empower youth to co-create a liveable future, we all benefit.

OUR WHY

Young people are leading the climate fight, but the system isn’t built to support them in the long-term.

<1% of climate finance reaches youth-led efforts
45% of youth say their feelings about climate change negatively impact their daily functioning
<2% of funding goes to mental health initiatives
Youth have limited access to decision-making spaces and key events
49% of youth say mainstream media doesn’t reflect their voices
33.9% of youth leaders fully dependent on their initiative earn nothing from it
Marginalized youth (e.g. BIPOC, low-income) face the highest barriers

We’re here to change that.

Group of hikers crossing a small log on a trail in a dense forest.

Group of five diverse young adults standing in front of a colorful sign that reads 'Children and Youth COP27.'

A group of people standing under a blue canopy, raising their fists in celebration, with some wearing scarves and flags, and a camera crew recording the event.

For the climate movement at all levels (global, national, local) to ensure the meaningful involvement of youth, we must prioritize building a movement that welcomes youth and encourages them to stay. We need to nurture the next generation of climate leaders to protect our communities and address the biggest challenge of our lives — the climate crisis.

Youth Climate Collaborative is leading this charge as one of the largest grassroots, youth-led climate organizations in the world. We are welcoming youth worldwide into the climate movement and providing an ecosystem of support so they can sustain their leadership and continue taking action. We primarily serve youth ages 13-35, from frontline, low-income communities who are already engaged in the movement.

SUSTAIN THE NEXT GENERATION OF CLIMATE LEADERS

A GLANCE AT OUR IMPACT

4 National Hubs

We have locally led teams in Kenya, the UK, India, and the US, serving 975 youth + counting.
$136,000

Secured in-kind donations and funding for housing during COY16, COP26, COP27, COP28, NYCW 2024, and COP29, supporting 120 youth leaders.
20,000+

We launched in November 2020, and have directly served about 4,000 youth per year.
600+

Our climate mental health workshops, leadership training, and conference preparation training have been completed by about 600 youth.

Our Priorities

Group of young protestors wearing masks holding signs with messages about climate action, equity, diversity, and stopping the same, standing in front of a fence and a tall building.

Community Empowerment

While early career youth are well positioned to contribute to climate solutions, lesser access to resources and community spaces restrict many from achieving their full potential.

We understand that the voices and visions of young people are inherently needed to cultivate a just climate future in which all people have power, security, dignity, and prosperity.

Through our in-person meet-ups, Whatsapp groups, and virtual meet-ups, we cultivate opportunities for our community to unite around climate justice and co-create the regenerative future that we require.

Group of ten diverse people smiling and posing for a photo in a conference room, with some wearing name tags and lanyards.

Emotional Resilience

Young people are taking climate action, despite many suffering directly and indirectly from climate change, which can lead us to experience an array of mental health problems, from anxiety and feelings of helplessness to depression and suicidal thoughts.

We understand the importance of safeguarding the mental and physical health of our community to strengthen our emotional resilience and sustain our involvement in the movement.

To support our community through challenging times, we provide workshops, climate mental health journals, biweekly sessions, and a community for collective healing.

Group of schoolchildren in white shirts and blue pants sitting in a library, some with hands raised.

Narrative and Policy Change

Interconnected systems of oppression have generated sociopolitical conditions that distinguish youth as an at-risk group to the climate crisis. Yet, media, storytelling, and academic outlets have traditionally limited documentation and dissemination of our lived experiences and efforts.

We train youth on journalism, public speaking, and storytelling and connect them with platforms that can elevate our stories and reach so that we can reclaim our narratives, re-write history, and shape policies for a better future for all.

Three individuals standing together at a conference, smiling. The woman on the left has dark hair, wears a black and white patterned shirt, and has a yellow lanyard. The man in the middle has short dark hair, glasses, a navy suit, and a conference badge that reads "Selwin Charles". The woman on the right has braided hair, wears a yellow and gray top, and a green lanyard.

Intergenerational Equity

While many young leaders are interested in pursuing leadership roles such as board member and advisor, concerns around the availability of collaborative work environments, obtaining adequate training, and the lack of visibility of these positions reinforces the gap between access and representation in our community.

Through research on intergenerational governance and collaboration, documentation of case studies, board training, rosters, and supportive partners, we aim to equip our community with the skills, resources, and connections necessary to secure and remain in decision-making roles.