Lake Chad Region

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.

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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.

Lake Chad Region
Lake Chad Region
Lake Chad Region
Lake Chad Region
Background

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
Massakory, Hadjer-Lamis

Zara Yasmine Hassan Ahmat Djefil

Age: 24

Water resources engineer and climate justice advocate. Vice President of GEDAAF/HL, Editorial Lead at ISEC CHAD.

ChadRead more →
Idriss Adoum Idriss
Mao, Kanem

Idriss Adoum Idriss

Age: 33

Climate justice advocate and youth mobilizer. Country Coordinator for PACJA, Communication Officer for ACSEA.

ChadRead more →
Ahmat Mahamoud Hissein
Bol

Ahmat Mahamoud Hissein

Age: 30

Community development practitioner. Partnership Manager at AJAPE, graduate of Nairobi Summer School on Climate Justice.

ChadRead more →
Fanne Zara Ahmat Saleh
N'Djamena

Fanne Zara Ahmat Saleh

Age: 22

Environmental advocate and youth leader. Member of Action Girls Chad, winner of Women's Empowerment Program.

ChadRead more →
Mariam Moussa Ali Abba
N'Djamena

Mariam Moussa Ali Abba

Age: 25

Health science graduate passionate about climate justice. Executive member of Youth Volunteers Chad Act4SDG.

ChadRead more →
Chiguer Bachir Ali
N'Djamena

Chiguer Bachir Ali

Mechanical engineer and Programs Manager at Youth Volunteers Chad Act4SDG. Organized Environmental Café at Zakouma National Park.

ChadRead more →
Bansi Emmanuel Neba
Yagoua, Far North

Bansi Emmanuel Neba

Age: 30

Environmental engineer and advocate. Volunteer with Ozone Friendly People, trained over 200 farmers in sustainable practices.

CameroonRead more →
Munang Othniel Bungo
Nkwen-Bamenda, North West

Munang Othniel Bungo

Age: 28

Youth climate advocate and policy influencer. Organized LCOY Cameroon 2023 & 2024, contributed to national climate policy.

CameroonRead more →
Fanne Yaya
Kousséri, Far North

Fanne Yaya

Age: 23

Climate and gender justice advocate. Coordinator of ADECOPA-CAM, multilingual community mobilizer.

CameroonRead more →
Mitin Sandrine Yaah
Bamenda, North-West

Mitin Sandrine Yaah

Age: 26

Climate justice advocate. Focal Person for LCOY Cameroon 2024, Co-founder of Green Space Academy.

CameroonRead more →
Awat Bertrand Abanyi
Kousséri, Logone-et-Chari

Awat Bertrand Abanyi

Age: 30

Climate activist and Founder of Green Globe Organisation. Planted over 10,000 trees, trained 3,700 youth Climate Rescuers.

CameroonRead more →
Ahmed Baida Saley Harouna
Diffa

Ahmed Baida Saley Harouna

Age: 32

Youth climate advocate and peacebuilder. Co-founded CSDAC, trains youth in solar-powered irrigation systems.

NigerRead more →
Garba Ide Moumouni
Mokko, Dosso

Garba Ide Moumouni

Age: 26

Climate researcher and Director of Programs at Initiative pour l'Arbre. Focuses on biochar and agroecological solutions.

NigerRead more →
Nana Firdaoussi Adamou
Koura, Diffa

Nana Firdaoussi Adamou

Age: 24

Climate advocate and gender champion. Gender Emissary with Femmes, Actions et Développement.

NigerRead more →
Sakina Mamane Bawa
Niamey

Sakina Mamane Bawa

Age: 28

Climate and peace advocate. Chair of Environment Committee at Niger's National Youth Council, Vice President of COACPS.

NigerRead more →
Ali Oumarou Abdoulaye
Diffa

Ali Oumarou Abdoulaye

Age: 25

Youth leader and environmental restoration advocate. Green Soldiers alumnus, Great Green Wall Agency ambassador.

NigerRead more →
Mangong Bongbunri Berinyuy
Borno State

Mangong Bongbunri Berinyuy

Age: 34

Peacebuilder and health equity advocate. Founder of African Women Initiative for Empowerment and Peacebuilding.

NigeriaRead more →
Msen Nabo
Nigeria

Msen Nabo

Age: 33

Climate communicator at Connected Development. Lost family to climate-related conflict, 12,000+ LinkedIn followers.

NigeriaRead more →
Iliya Muhammad Makinta
Damaturu, Yobe State

Iliya Muhammad Makinta

Age: 29

Youth leader from conflict-affected area. Climate Accountability Intern at Yankari Game Reserve, serves with CACPE.

NigeriaRead more →
Shola Rafiat Sule
Biu, Borno State

Shola Rafiat Sule

Age: 32

Climate justice advocate from refugee-hosting area. Founder of SAFE Foundation, SDG Cohort 6 Advocacy Program participant.

NigeriaRead more →

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.

1

Application Submission

Complete the online application including personal information, statement of purpose (300-500 words), and CV highlighting relevant experience.

2

Initial Screening

Applications are evaluated based on eligibility criteria, relevance of experience, and innovation of proposed solutions.

3

Interview Round

Selected candidates participate in virtual interviews to assess communication skills and commitment to climate justice.

4

Final Selection

20 fellows are chosen ensuring diversity in gender, experience, and geographic representation.

Lake Chad Challenges

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.

Call to Action Background

Join the Movement

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

Apply Now