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
is a dynamic water resources engineer and climate justice advocate from Massakory, in Chad’s Hadjer-Lamis region, one of the communities at the heart...
Idriss Adoum Idriss
Age: 33
Idriss Adoum Idriss is a climate justice advocate and youth mobilizer from Mao, in Chad's Kanem region, an area on the frontlines of climate-induced m...
Ahmat Mahamoud Hissein
Age: 30
Ahmat Mahamoud Hissein is a dedicated climate advocate and community development practitioner from Bol, a Lake Chad community deeply affected by envir...
Fanne Zara Ahmat Saleh
Age: 22
Fanne Zara Ahmat Saleh is a rising environmental advocate and youth leader from N'Djamena, Chad, deeply committed to advancing climate justice and gen...
Mariam Moussa Ali Abba
Age: 25
Mariam Moussa Ali Abba is a 25-year-old graduate of the Higher Institute of Health Science and Technology at King Faisal University in Chad (Class of...
Chiguer Bachir Ali
Chiguer Bachir Ali is a young Chadian climate advocate with a background in mechanical engineering and a strong commitment to climate justice in the L...
Bansi Emmanuel Neba
Age: 30
Bansi Emmanuel Neba is a passionate climate advocate and community development practitioner from Yagoua, in Cameroon's Far North Region—a climate-vuln...
Munang Othniel Bungo
Age: 28
Munang Othniel Bungo is a youth climate advocate and policy influencer from Nkwen-Bamenda in Cameroon's North West Region
Fanne Yaya
Age: 23
Fanne Yaya is a climate and gender justice advocate from Kousséri, in Cameroon's Far North Region, an area profoundly impacted by the Lake Chad crisis
Mitin Sandrine Yaah
Age: 26
Mitin Sandrine Yaah is a climate justice and gender equity advocate from Bamenda in Cameroon's conflict-affected North-West Region
Awat Bertrand Abanyi
Age: 30
Awat Bertrand Abanyi is a climate activist and community resilience advocate from Kousséri, Logone-et-Chari Division in Cameroon's Far North Region—on...
Ahmed Baida Saley Harouna
Age: 32
Ahmed Baida Saley Harouna is a youth climate advocate and peacebuilder from Diffa, southeastern Niger, a region deeply impacted by the Boko Haram insu...
Garba Ide Moumouni
Age: 26
Garba Ide Moumouni, a young climate advocate from Mokko, Dosso Region, Niger, coordinates the Tree Initiative, leading resilience-building projects in...
Nana Firdaoussi Adamou
Age: 24
Nana Firdaoussi Adamou is a passionate climate advocate and gender champion raised in Koura, Diffa region of Niger who is deeply connected to the Lake...
Sakina Mamane Bawa
Age: 28
Sakina Mamane Bawa is a passionate climate and peace advocate from Niger's Niamey Region, actively working to address the intertwined challenges of cl...
Ali Oumarou Abdoulaye
Age: 25
Ali Oumarou Abdoulaye, a dedicated youth leader from Diffa, Niger, is deeply engaged in climate justice and environmental restoration in the Sahel reg...
Mangong Bongbunri Berinyuy
Age: 34
Mangong Bongbunri Berinyuy is a dynamic peacebuilder and climate justice advocate working at the intersection of environmental sustainability, health...
Msen Nabo
Age: 33
Msen Nabo is a passionate climate communicator and Digital Media Associate at Connected Development (CODE), Nigeria
Iliya Muhammad Makinta
Age: 29
Iliya Muhammad Makinta is a youth leader and climate justice advocate from Damaturu, Yobe State, an area deeply affected by the Boko Haram insurgency...
Shola Rafiat Sule
Age: 32
Shola Rafiat Sule is a climate justice advocate from Biu, Borno State an area transformed into a refuge for displaced persons fleeing conflict from Ba...
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