Youth have particularly high stakes in climate action, as today’s responses to climate change will directly affect the rest of their lives. From activism to innovation and adaptation, their engagement has been instrumental in moving the needle on climate action around the world.
What about climate finance? How can young people contribute to mobilizing funds and push governments to enhance their commitments? As spelled out in the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) Consultation Note Toward a Youth Engagement Strategy, this is crucial. Why? because the US$100 billion target for 2020 has yet to be met, and because we need to go even further to meet the scale of global climate finance needs. The growing influence of young climate activists means they may be able to persuade governments to rise to the challenge. And they want to be involved: a 2021 global CIF survey of youth engaged in climate action showed that 85% want to learn more about climate finance.
To respond to this demand and help young people effectively engage, the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) are partnering with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to host an interactive capacity-building training for Central Asian and Eastern European youth. Over two days, a group of 39 youth aged 16 to 35 will meet with experts from the Climate Finance Group of Latin America and the Caribbean, CIF, EBRD and YOUNGO, the Youth Constituency of UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change). The workshop is organized and facilitated by young people and will use case-based learning. It will cover basic knowledge of climate finance; the climate finance architecture and how major climate funds and Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) mobilize finance for climate action. CIF and EBRD will use examples from their work to explain the process and flow of climate finance from the international to regional, national and global levels. Finally, the group will discuss how to meaningfully engage with multilateral climate financial institutions.
This inaugural workshop will generate lessons learned and material that the partners want to share with more young people through online modules. It will become part of CIF’s holistic engagement with youth groups and young climate leaders. This also includes supporting youth-led innovation and forums, capacity building, amplifying youth agency and representation in climate governance, and prioritizing the needs of young people in decisions about investments and infrastructure.