Who we are

About us

The Youth Climate Collective (YCC) is dedicated to shaping climate governance and diplomacy in Nigeria and beyond.

Emerging from the success of the Youth Manifesto on Climate Change, the collective was created to transform youth-driven climate demands into actionable solutions. We believe that young people must be at the forefront of climate decision-making, influencing policies that will shape the future of our planet. We strive to mobilize, support, promote, and implement sustainable and impactful climate-adaptation strategies. Our mission is to ensure that the calls to action outlined in the Youth Manifesto on Climate Change are not just heard but actively prioritized and implemented by policymakers at all levels of governance. We envision a future where young climate leaders shape policies, drive negotiations, and lead climate governance efforts. By fostering a network of climate changemakers, we aim to scale our impact beyond Nigeria, influencing climate diplomacy across the African continent

Why Youth Voice Matters

Nigeria is already facing severe climate risks from desertification and flooding to food insecurity and energy shortages. The effects of climate change disproportionately impact young people, limiting economic opportunities, threatening public health, and increasing environmental displacement. YCC stands as a bridge between youth climate advocates and decision-makers, ensuring that young voices drive climate solutions rather than merely endure the consequences of inaction.

Co-creation Labs

The Co-creation Lab is an innovation platform that equips young people with the tools, mentorship, and collaborative spaces to design practical climate solutions. Rooted in the belief that youth are not just leaders of tomorrow but critical actors today, The Lab offers a structured process through which young innovators can ideate, prototype, and test solutions that are both locally relevant and globally applicable. Each cycle of the Lab emphasises tangible outcomes, such as youth-led pilot projects, open-source toolkits, or policy-ready innovations. Furthermore, the Lab facilitates mentorship connections with experts across sectors from sustainable agriculture and renewable energy to finance and urban planning, ensuring that every solution is informed by technical rigour and community relevance. By centring collaboration and experimentation, the co-creation Lab transforms raw ideas into impactful climate interventions.

Climate Negotiation Workshops

The Climate Negotiation Workshop is our premier training program for practical and meaningful engagements in climate negotiations at the international level. Designed as a capacity-building intensive, the workshop demystifies the often complex and inaccessible world of climate diplomacy, equipping youth with the practical knowledge and negotiation skills required to participate confidently in global forums such as the Conference of the Parties (COP) under the UNFCCC. It is deeply reflective, prompting youth to interrogate power, equity, and representation within global climate processes. Here, participants explore questions of justice, accountability, and geopolitical asymmetries, examining how youth from the Global South can navigate systemic barriers while advocating for inclusive, transparent, and just outcomes.

Podcast & Storytelling

We believe stories shape movements. Our Podcast and Storytelling work area amplifies youth voices and lived experiences at the frontlines of the climate crisis. Through compelling narratives, interviews, and multimedia storytelling, we spotlight underrepresented communities, explore intergenerational perspectives, and connect local actions to global climate dialogues.
Our podcast series serves as an accessible platform for high level climate action discourse, knowledge exchange, policy insights, and personal journeys, bridging science, advocacy, diplomacy, governance, and emotions. We empower young people to document their climate realities, challenge dominant narratives, and co-create solutions through storytelling. Whether in villages, cities, or diaspora spaces, every story becomes a tool for awareness, solidarity, and change. By centering authenticity and creative expression, we nurture a culture of listening and empathy thus fueling the momentum for just, inclusive, and youth-led climate action.

Policy Advocacy & Campaigns

At the heart of this space are youth-led campaigns that respond to specific injustices, amplify underrepresented voices, and shift dominant narratives. Our advocacy and campaigns are designed to challenge exclusionary practices, reframe climate priorities through intersectional lenses, and hold institutions accountable to climate commitments. Importantly, they are rooted in lived experiences and shaped by collective intelligence, ensuring authenticity, diversity, and relevance.

Join us

Whether you are a policymaker, activist, researcher, or concerned citizen, there’s a place for you in YCC. Together, we can ensure that youth-driven climate action translates into lasting policy change. 

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