MALAWI Youth Demand Creation Of National Climate Facility

By Smile Hamilton, Malawi

Young people across Malawi are demanding the establishment of a National Youth Climate Facility, a special fund aimed at supporting youth-led projects and innovations that tackle the challenges of climate change.

Operations Director for Clean Cities Project, Amos Benjamin, said most existing funding systems tend to exclude young people despite their active involvement in areas such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, and environmental conservation.

“We have many young people doing impactful work in communities, but they struggle to access financial support. A dedicated youth climate facility would empower them to scale their solutions,” Benjamin said.

He further emphasized the need for youth inclusion in the National Adaptation Plans (NAPs) so that they can actively contribute to planning, implementing, and monitoring national climate actions.

Similarly, Oscar Chaphamtengo from the Movement for Environmental Action noted that young people are among the most affected by climate change and therefore deserve a leading role in shaping solutions.

“It is our generation that will live longer with the effects of climate change. We must take the lead in creating a resilient and sustainable future,” Chaphamtengo stated.

The remarks were made in Lilongwe during the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Malawi 2025, an event aimed at crafting a National Youth Climate Statement that will outline Malawi’s priorities ahead of the COP30 Summit in Brazil.

The conference brought together youth leaders, environmental organizations, and government representatives to discuss strategies for integrating youth voices into national and international climate policies.

Organizers expressed optimism that the proposed youth facility could serve as a model for empowering local innovation, while also strengthening Malawi’s contribution to global climate goals.