Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) African Youth Negotiators Fellowship Program 2024

Sep 20, 2024

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The African Youth Negotiators Fellowship, a capacity-building program by Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), equips young people with the knowledge and skills to effectively engage in climate governance, diplomacy, and negotiations, particularly within UNFCCC processes.

Since its inception in 2022, the Fellowship has provided participants with a thorough understanding of the UNFCCC process as well as in-depth insights into the key negotiation tracks that influence COP outcomes.

Every year, the program brings together a diverse group of young people from government, civil society, academia, and marginalized communities to teach them how to navigate and participate meaningfully in the UNFCCC 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.

Benefits

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.

Time Commitment

The Fellowship spans 4 weeks: