
Lake Chad Climate Justice Youth Fellowship
A transformative 24-month fellowship empowering young African leaders to address climate justice and environmental challenges in the Lake Chad region.
Background
The Lake Chad region faces severe challenges stemming from climate change, including a 90% reduction in the lake's size, leading to desertification, resource scarcity, and the collapse of traditional livelihoods such as agriculture and fishing. These environmental impacts have heightened social tensions, fueled insecurity, and displaced communities, leaving women and girls particularly vulnerable.
Youth in the region, though disproportionately affected, are underrepresented in climate action due to barriers like limited resources, inadequate skills, and lack of access to advocacy platforms.





Core Components
Our comprehensive program is designed to equip fellows with the skills, networks, and resources needed for impact.
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2025 Fellowship Cohort
Meet the 20 exceptional youth leaders from Chad, Cameroon, Niger, and Nigeria who are driving climate justice and resilience in the Lake Chad Basin.

Zara Yasmine Hassan Ahmat Djefil
Age: 24
Water resources engineer and climate justice advocate. Vice President of GEDAAF/HL, Editorial Lead at ISEC CHAD.

Idriss Adoum Idriss
Age: 33
Climate justice advocate and youth mobilizer. Country Coordinator for PACJA, Communication Officer for ACSEA.

Ahmat Mahamoud Hissein
Age: 30
Community development practitioner. Partnership Manager at AJAPE, graduate of Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice.

Fanne Zara Ahmat Saleh
Age: 22
Environmental advocate and youth leader. Member of Action Girls Chad, winner of Women's Empowerment Program.

Mariam Moussa Ali Abba
Age: 25
Health science graduate passionate about climate justice. Executive member of Youth Volunteers Chad Act4SDG.
Chiguer Bachir Ali
Mechanical engineer and Programs Manager at Youth Volunteers Chad Act4SDG. Organized Environmental Café at Zakouma National Park.

Bansi Emmanuel Neba
Age: 30
Environmental engineer and advocate. Volunteer with Ozone Friendly People, trained over 200 farmers in sustainable practices.

Munang Othniel Bungo
Age: 28
Youth climate advocate and policy influencer. Organized LCOY Cameroon 2023 & 2024, contributed to national climate policy.

Fanne Yaya
Age: 23
Climate and gender justice advocate. Coordinator of ADECOPA-CAM, multilingual community mobilizer.

Mitin Sandrine Yaah
Age: 26
Climate justice advocate. Focal Person for LCOY Cameroon 2024, Co-founder of Green Space Academy.

Awat Bertrand Abanyi
Age: 30
Climate activist and Founder of Green Globe Organisation. Planted over 10,000 trees, trained 3,700 youth Climate Rescuers.

Ahmed Baida Saley Harouna
Age: 32
Youth climate advocate and peacebuilder. Co-founded CSDAC, trains youth in solar-powered irrigation systems.

Garba Ide Moumouni
Age: 26
Climate researcher and Director of Programs at Initiative pour l'Arbre. Focuses on biochar and agroecological solutions.
Nana Firdaoussi Adamou
Age: 24
Climate advocate and gender champion. Gender Emissary with Femmes, Actions et Développement.

Sakina Mamane Bawa
Age: 28
Climate and peace advocate. Chair of Environment Committee at Niger's National Youth Council, Vice President of COACPS.

Ali Oumarou Abdoulaye
Age: 25
Youth leader and environmental restoration advocate. Green Soldiers alumnus, Great Green Wall Agency ambassador.

Mangong Bongbunri Berinyuy
Age: 34
Peacebuilder and health equity advocate. Founder of African Women Initiative for Empowerment and Peacebuilding.

Msen Nabo
Age: 33
Climate communicator at Connected Development. Lost family to climate-related conflict, 12,000+ LinkedIn followers.

Iliya Muhammad Makinta
Age: 29
Youth leader from conflict-affected area. Climate Accountability Intern at Yankari Game Reserve, serves with CACPE.

Shola Rafiat Sule
Age: 32
Climate justice advocate from refugee-hosting area. Founder of SAFE Foundation, SDG Cohort 6 Advocacy Program participant.
Application Process
Join our inaugural cohort of climate leaders through our comprehensive selection process.
Eligibility Criteria
- ✓Age:
Must be between 18 and 35 years old at the time of application.
- ✓Location:
Open to candidates from the Lake Chad region (Chad, Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger).
- ✓Commitment to Climate Action:
Demonstrated passion or experience in climate justice, advocacy, or environmental sustainability.
- ✓Availability:
Must commit to the full 24-month fellowship duration and all program activities.
Application Submission
Complete the online application including personal information, statement of purpose (300-500 words), and CV highlighting relevant experience.
Initial Screening
Applications are evaluated based on eligibility criteria, relevance of experience, and innovation of proposed solutions.
Interview Round
Selected candidates participate in virtual interviews to assess communication skills and commitment to climate justice.
Final Selection
20 fellows are chosen ensuring diversity in gender, experience, and geographic representation.

Key Challenges Addressed
Our fellowship focuses on addressing critical environmental and social challenges in the Lake Chad region.
Environmental Degradation
Addressing desertification and the 90% reduction in Lake Chad's size through innovative conservation approaches.
Resource Scarcity
Developing sustainable solutions for water access and agricultural resilience in affected communities.
Social Impact
Tackling displacement, gender-based vulnerabilities, and community resilience through climate justice initiatives.

Join the Movement
Be part of the solution. Apply now to become a Climate Justice Youth Fellow.
Apply Now