Annual Reports & Publications

The climate crisis is already here, and today’s youth and future generations will face its most severe consequences. That includes the approximately one billion young people who live in less developed regions—one-quarter of whom live in the world’s Least Developed Countries (LDCs), where climate change impacts are the most severe. Indeed, without accelerated climate action, children born in the year 2020 could experience up to seven times more extreme weather events like scorching heatwaves during their lifetimes compared to their grandparents.1 While young people have contributed little to climate change, they are the ones who are and will continue to be disproportionately affected by its damaging environmental and social impacts. Moreover, while climate change alone does not cause conflict, its impacts can exacerbate vulnerabilities, undermine livelihoods, and increase grievances and tensions which may in some cases increase the risk of violent conflict. These interlinked challenges demand urgent and collective action. Across the globe, many young people are now assuming responsibility for responding to the unsustainable societal and environmental trajectories set by previous generations. They are driving change in their communities and on the global stage to address the interlinked climate and conflict crises—everything from leading efforts to restore our natural world to influencing the outcomes of climate negotiations and leading efforts for climate justice and intergenerational equity in courtrooms. Others are finding innovative ways of adapting to new uncertain realities. It is crucial to move beyond viewing young people only as vulnerable and to recognize their resilient responses, while reinforcing their pivotal roles as leaders in climate and peace action. Young people, in all their diversity, have the undeniable right to participate in decision-making processes, charting paths toward mitigating the impacts of climate-related risks and sustaining peace. Their meaningful engagement is not optional; it is essential for effectively addressing climate-related security risks and ensuring a sustainable future. Although the connections between youth, climate, peace and security are evident in reality, they have not been adequately translated into integrated policy and programming approaches. This guidance note by the Folke Bernadotte Academy (FBA), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) is the first of its kind that bridges the climate, peace and security (CPS) and youth, peace and security (YPS) agendas. It sheds new light on how young people are at the leading edge of these efforts already acting and working in an integrated manner to address climate-related security risks. It also provides practitioners with exploratory guidance and considerations for creating an integrated agenda on youth, climate, peace and security within research and analysis, programming, strategic planning, policy-making, and funding that can ultimately drive progress on the Sustainable Development Goals. We extend our deepest gratitude to the young expert contributors and partners who have collaborated on this guidance note. As countries now embark on the design of their crucial third generation Nationally Determined Contributions in advance of COP30 in Brazil in 2025 that will be vital to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, we hope that this report will empower young people and partners to youth with innovative tools and new impetus a proven means to help navigate a pathway out of the turbulent waters of an escalating climate crisis and mounting global instability.

The year 2024 has clearly demonstrated that, even in the most fragile contexts, young people and women can be the true architects of a peaceful and inclusive future. Faced with the humanitarian emergency in North Kivu, democratic challenges, and the threats of climate change, JAMAA Grands Lacs has chosen to act where the impact is most decisive: among vulnerable communities. In one year, we have helped transform pain into resilience and marginalization into leadership. More than 3,700 direct beneficiaries have been reached by our programs, through actions ranging from psychosocial support in displacement camps to training young leaders, economic empowerment, and digital civic engagement Key results include : · 420 survivors and displaced families regained dignity and hope thanks to psychosocial support in the camps. · More than 1,000 women and girls received kits and awareness training on menstrual hygiene, improving their health, autonomy, and access to education. · 135 young leaders were trained at the Citizen University, called upon to become catalysts for transparent and inclusive local governance. · The launch of the Citizen Voice Lab, a first in the DRC, opened a new space for democratic dialogue between citizens and decision-makers. · Innovative environmental initiatives, such as the production of eco-friendly biochar by displaced women, demonstrated that climate action and peace can be mutually reinforcing. · International recognition by the Diana Award 2024 confirmed the transformative impact of our commitment. These results reflect a conviction: lasting peace cannot be achieved without human dignity, social justice, gender equality, and effective citizen participation. Our integrated approach thus links mental health, democratic leadership, and environmental resilience to address the root causes of instability in the Great Lakes region. In 2025, we intend to consolidate these achievements, expand our action, and strengthen our partnerships. Because we know that no transformation is possible without strong alliances and a collective commitment to a shared future. To our current and future partners multilateral organizations, UN agencies, regional institutions, and civil society we send a clear message: together, let us turn hope into reality and peace into a lasting achievement.