In an effort to build climate-resilient communities and strengthen youth engagement in climate action, Ecosystem Sustainability Network (EcoSusNet) organized a virtual step-down capacity-building training on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, under the ‘Empowering Youth Civil Society to Build Stronger Communities’ project, supported by the Nigerian Youth SDGs Network and the German Missions in Nigeria.
The training, hosted via Google Meet, gathered representatives from ten civil society organisations (CSOs) across Nasarawa State, equipping them with the knowledge and tools to drive impactful climate action in their communities.
Nigeria, one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, faces severe challenges such as flooding, desertification, and irregular rainfall patterns, all of which threaten food security and livelihoods.
The training aimed to address these issues by focusing on the country’s climate policy frameworks, specifically the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). These frameworks outline Nigeria’s commitment to mitigating climate change, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthening adaptation strategies for climate resilience.
Mr. Tashi David Manasseh, Project Officer at EcoSusNet, spoke on the importance of these policies: “Nigeria’s NAP and NDCs serve as a roadmap for addressing climate-related challenges.”
“This training gives youth leaders the opportunity to understand these frameworks and apply them to local solutions. Youth engagement is critical to achieving the goals set out in these policies.”
Facilitators Praise Danson Wraiba and Adagazu Egga led sessions on effective climate communication, organizing campaigns, and mobilizing grassroots efforts for climate action.
Praise Danson Wraiba emphasized the urgency of youth participation: “Climate change is not just an environmental issue; it is a developmental one. In Nigeria, where over 70% of the population is under the age of 30, young people have a crucial role to play in driving the climate agenda forward.”
Mr. Daniel Dauda from the YALI Network Nasarawa State highlighted the practical knowledge gained from the training: “The virtual training has given us a comprehensive understanding of climate policy frameworks and has inspired us to engage more actively in climate advocacy. We’ve learned how to effectively communicate complex climate issues and design campaigns that resonate with our communities.”
Mr. Ibav Dominic from the National Association of Special Education Students reflected on the importance of inclusive climate action, stating, “Involving people with disabilities in climate advocacy is crucial. Often, marginalized groups are disproportionately affected by climate change, so it’s vital that their voices are heard in conversations about solutions.”
In 2017, Nigeria became the first African country to submit a revised and enhanced version of its NDCs, committing to reduce emissions by 20% unconditionally and up to 45% with international support by 2030.
As part of the country’s NAP, adaptation strategies include improving water resource management, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and addressing climate-induced displacement. This framework provides the basis for many of the conversations held during the training.
Adagazu Egga, one of the learning facilitators, shared, “It’s not enough to just know about the climate issues affecting us; we must be proactive in creating solutions that are locally adapted but globally relevant. This training has helped these young CSOs see the bigger picture and how they can align their efforts with Nigeria’s climate goals.”
Participants also discussed how they can lead grassroots campaigns on specific local climate issues, such as deforestation and flooding, which have been worsening in Nasarawa State. “One of the key lessons we’ve learned is the importance of collective action,” said Ms. Joseph Joy Naveh of Beacon Youth Initiative. “Through collaboration, we can create a louder, more unified voice for climate action.”
The virtual training concluded with participants sharing actionable plans for organizing climate-focused projects in their communities, ranging from awareness campaigns to tree-planting initiatives. The event marked a key milestone in empowering youth to take leadership roles in climate advocacy, aligned with national and global climate goals.
As Nigeria continues to battle the effects of climate change, which have already displaced over 2 million people and caused billions of dollars in damages, capacity-building initiatives like this are crucial for creating a sustainable future.