YOUTH IN CLIMATE DIALOGUE SERIES 2026

The Youth in Climate Dialogue Series (YCDS) 2026 is a Yapende Mazingira Foundation

(YMF) initiative designed to place young people at the center of climate governance,

policy formulation, and budget processes in Tanzania. The project operationalizes

Priority 4 (Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability) of the Youth Manifesto

(Ajenda ya Vijana) 2025–2030. The Ajenda t Vijana is a national agenda co-launched by

YMF and fellow youth-led organizations in August 2025 to strengthen youth participation

in the country’s development.

Climate change is not an abstract threat for Tanzania’s youth, it is already reshaping

livelihoods. Unpredictable weather, environmental degradation, and declining

agricultural productivity is hitting young people hard, especially those working in

agriculture. YMF believes these challenges can only be tackled effectively when youth

are well-informed and actively engaged in the decisions that shape climate policy and

public spending.

Our Goal

To promote youth participation and engagement in climate governance and

environmental conservation in Tanzania.

Objectives

 Assess and document the specific gaps, challenges, and opportunities for youth

within Tanzania’s climate and environmental landscape, providing a baseline for

dialogue.

 Facilitate five structured, multi-stakeholder dialogue sessions engaging 150

youth to discuss government and private-sector initiatives, ministerial budget

allocation, and youth climate priorities ahead of the 2026–2027 government

budget.

 Develop and disseminate a consolidated, youth co-created policy and budget

recommendations report to government institutions, Parliament, media, CSOs,

and development partners.

 Increase public awareness and discourse on youth-led climate action, reaching

at least 100,000 individuals through a strategic media campaign and

dissemination of project findings.

Where We Are Now

Implementation of YCDS 2026 is already underway. YMF is currently working through

the dialogue series, assessing youth climate priorities, engaging stakeholders, and

building toward the consolidated recommendations report with continuous monitoring

through weekly reflection meetings, pre- and post-dialogue assessments, and quarterly

progress reviews.

Expected Outcomes

 At least 80% of youth participants (120 of 150) demonstrate significantly

improved understanding of climate governance, the budget cycle, and youth

climate priorities.

 A youth-focused, evidence-based budget recommendation report formally

submitted to government institutions and Parliament at least three months before

the 2026–2027 budget reading.

 At least five youth-led recommendations referenced or adopted in official

government documents, budget speeches, or public statements.

 At least 100,000 people reached through social and traditional media, driving

lasting public discourse on youth and climate resilience.

 Who We’re Working With

 Civil Society Partners: Bridge for Change, Restless Development Tanzania,

ActionAid Tanzania/Global Platform, Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC),

Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC), Tanzania Youth Vision

Association (TYVA), Save the Children Tanzania (SCT)

 Government Partners: The Government of the United Republic of Tanzania,

including Local Government Authorities (LGAs), the Vice President’s Office

(Department of Environment), and the Ministry of Agriculture

Why It Matters

By anchoring this work in the nationally recognized Youth Manifesto, YMF ensures the

project aligns with existing government frameworks and carries lasting policy influence.

Through sustained dialogue, evidence-based advocacy, and youth ownership, including

an ongoing WhatsApp network connecting youth climate champions across the country.

YCDS 2026 is building a platform for youth voices that will outlast the project itself.