IOM Unveils 2025 Youth Leaders for Africa Climate Efforts

IOM

The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has officially announced the selection of 40 young changemakers from across Africa to accelerate youth-led action to address the impacts of climate change on migration across the continent. This initiative is part of IOM's new Youth Capacity Enhancement Programme on Climate Mobility.

Selected from a highly competitive pool of over 2,000 applicants, these young leaders represent the frontlines of climate resilience, leading grassroots efforts, advocating for policy change, and designing innovative solutions to support communities affected by environmental degradation, disasters, and the climate crisis.

"Whether through community engagement, research, policy advocacy, or social entrepreneurship, youth across the continent are already leading in response to the realities of climate migration," said Mr. Frantz Celestin, IOM's Regional Director for East, Horn and Southern Africa. "This programme is about equipping them with the tools, networks, and support they need to scale their impact."

Young people are among the most affected by climate change, disasters, and environmental degradation, yet they are also among the most powerful agents of change. Africa is home to the world's youngest and fastest-growing demographic, with over 60 per cent of its inhabitants under the age of 25, according to a UN Population report . By 2030, its youth are expected to constitute 42 per cent of the global youth population.

As the continent navigates the growing impact of disasters and environmental degradation, engaging them is both timely and essential. Through this programme, IOM is investing in their potential to shape climate mobility solutions rooted in equity, dignity, and sustainability.

Over the coming months, the selected changemakers will engage in training and mentorship opportunities with experts who will provide practical skills for delivering impactful climate mobility solutions.

They will also receive hands-on support to develop and refine their own climate mobility project proposals, each aligned with national climate and disaster related policies and strategies as well as policy frameworks such as the Kampala Ministerial Declaration on Migration, Environment and Climate Change (KDMECC) , the African Union's Agenda 2063, the Global Compact for Migration (GCM), the Sustainable Development Goals, the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction, and the Paris Agreement.

The selected cohort reflects the geographic, linguistic, and thematic diversity of the continent - from young women and men leading nature-based adaptation projects in Sahelian communities to digital innovators designing early warning systems in coastal towns. Their voices and leadership will be key to achieving more inclusive, community-led responses to climate mobility across Africa.

This initiative is supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark through the Climate Change and Migration Data (CCMD) Programme . View the 2025 cohort here .

If you are interested in learning more about youth leadership in Migration, Environment and Climate Change, please read this new guideline " Claim that Space - a Youth Leadership Guide on Migration, Environment and Climate Change in Africa" .

/Public Release. This material from the originating organization/author(s) might be of the point-in-time nature, and edited for clarity, style and length. Mirage.News does not take institutional positions or sides, and all views, positions, and conclusions expressed herein are solely those of the author(s).View in full here.