Empowering youth leaders to drive climate action.

On Thursday, September 6th, 20  young leaders from the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, Madagascar, Niger, Uganda, and Zambia came together to present their groundbreaking climate solutions. The occasion marked the culmination of the intensive course titled “Climate Leadership: From Commitments to Actions,” led by UNU-VIE,  where 44 young leaders from these six countries.

The main objective of this pitching session was to identify the top 12 participants who will proceed to the Climate Solutions Lab, the final stage of the program. The Climate Solutions Lab serves as a launching pad for these young leaders to transform their climate solutions into impactful and effective actions.

The proposals presented were in line with innovative action to climate change adaptation and included innovative and sustainable food systems, waste management and energy initiatives, water harvesting and capacity-building projects. All presenters pitched the relation between their solutions and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), as well as with their countries’ official climate policies, in order to contribute to their national commitments for the Paris Agreement implementation.

Meet the Innovators: Let’s take a closer look at some of the outstanding projects presented during the session!

  • Madagascar
    • Andriamirado Rakoto: Promoting Climate Education through Innovation Hub in Madagascar.
    • Andrianiaina Ramanantoanina: The Ecological Solidarity Farm’s Role in Climate Adaptation.
    • Ny Aro Andriamiarosoa: Agricultural-Livestock Productivity and Bio-Organic Waste Management for a Better Life.
    • Rantonandrianina Mirana Elodia Rakotomandimby: Waste Management for Sorting and Composting in a Suburban Community of Antananarivo, Madagascar.
  • Uganda
    • Kiganira Ibrahim: Turning Coffee Waste into a Climate Solution: An Innovation for Bio-Complete Compost.
    • Mercy Nampurira: Bamboo for Enhancing Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation through Sustainable Industries.
    • Phionah Nalubega: Waste to Energy – Biodiesel Cooking Solutions to Combat Climate Change.
    • Ruth Atim: Climate-Induced Migration and Its Disproportionate Impact on Women in Uganda.
  • Niger
    • Djibo Boube Bachirou: Enhancing Farmer Resilience in the Sahel Region through SunFlow Africa Solar Pumping Solutions.
    • Doulay Seydou Kadiza: Biodiversity Restoration and Conservation in the Classified Forest of Dan Kada Dodo.
    • Mikaïla Issa Abramane: Seeds of Resilience: A Sustainable Blueprint for Combating Recurring Droughts in Niger’s Agriculture.
    • Saidou Alfarouck Souleymane: Agritech for Impulsouth.
    • Saminou Harouna Hamissou: Degradation of Agricultural Land: The Case of Niger.
    • Soumana Harouna Oumoulkher: Promoting Sustainability and Empowerment of Gonzaré Producers through the Establishment of a Moringa Eco-Garden for Seed Transformation into Oil.
  • Zambia
    • Akufuna Muyunda: NatureApp Zambia: “From Tradition to Technology: Empowering Green Choices.”
    • Chimwemwe Nalwesya Chibuye: Zambiogas Project.
    • Nkole Zulu: A COP around Cleaning Up Fertilizer Runoff.
    • Nomayi Hatyoka: Use of Rainwater Harvesting to Adapt to the Impacts of Drought and Floods in Itezhi-Tezhi District.
  • Guatemala
    • Luz Osorio: Use of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for the Economic Valuation of Regulation Ecosystem Services in Guatemala.
    • Milady Cornejo: Local Model of Forest Restoration Based on Climate Information in the Dry Corridor of Guatemala.

We extend our congratulations to all the participants of this year’s course and express our sincere gratitude for their efforts in presenting innovative solutions. We would also like to extend our appreciation to all invited judges who participated and contributed their expertise to evaluate the pitches.

The highest-rated proposals were invited to become integral members of the Impulsouth Climate Solutions Lab—an incubation program designed to provide young leaders with six months of dedicated support in turning their projects into reality. In addition to invaluable mentorship, participants will receive a seed grant and gain access to opportunities to engage in global climate governance events.

Access the recording of the Pitching Session here:

Group 1 (Madagascar, Guatemala, and Uganda): https://youtu.be/uk15K3wFcVw?si=f16a-kLciK02_h32

Group 2  (Niger and Zambia) : https://youtu.be/PxF6-hzG6n4?si=zkE_nuNXamaBtjR7