🌍 Applications open: Global Youth Climate Training  

The Global Youth Climate Training Programme (GYCT) is a free capacity-building programme that equips people aged 16-35 and below with the knowledge and confidence necessary to engage in international climate policy. Young people are increasingly being given a seat at the table in domestic and international climate policy, and therefore require appropriate capacity-building to ensure their interventions are cogent and relevant.

This programme was launched May 2023 to provide greater clarity on the negotiation tracks of the UNFCCC ahead of COP28. It brought together leading experts and young climate professionals and covered topics such as Climate Finance, Loss & Damage, Adaptation & Resilience and more.

This project is a collaboration between the Global Youth Coalition (GYC), a coalition of climate youth changemakers, and researchers at the University of Oxford (Oxford Net Zero, Oxford Smith School of Enterprise and the Environment). We received 10,000 applications for our first iteration of the programme, demonstrating the great need for effective youth capacity building programmes. 

When: The training will run twice a week from 3 September – 1 October 2024, with a final reunion session on 1 November 2024.

What: The second iteration of the programme from builds and extends on the first broad overview of the UNFCCC system and negotiation tracks. The 2024 programme focuses on the landscape of sub-state and non-state actor accountability as a vital feature of climate policy.

Time Commitment: 10 sessions in total, 1.5 hours each. 

Applicant Profile /Eligibility Criteria 

• Age: 16-35.
• Demonstrated experience in leadership, climate advocacy / activism (e.g., campaigns, projects, community engagement).
• Knowledge of the UNFCCC process and key outcomes (e.g., following a specific negotiations stream).
• Demonstrated ability to advocate effectively for change (e.g., communication, persuasion, collaboration). Previous efforts in advocacy.
• Strong passion for climate action, climate diplomacy and a desire to make a difference. 
• Clear reasons for joining the programme, clear future aspirations.
• Preference for applicants representing diverse regions and communities most impacted by climate change.

Applications deadline: 23:59 UTC on 10 August.