#USA #Washington, D.C. #HBCU Green Fund #Climate Justice #African Youth

HBCU Green Fund Launches Climate Initiative for African Youth

On April 22, 2025, as a part of Earth Day celebrations, the HBCU Green Fund gathered a significant assembly of youth leaders from 16 African nations and the broader African Diaspora. Under the inspiring theme "Road to Belém - One Struggle, One Future," this virtual gathering aimed to unite voices calling for climate equity and sustainability.

This monumental event marked the beginning of a bold initiative intended to craft a collective African Youth Climate Justice Statement. The plan is to present this statement during COP 30 in Belém this upcoming November. According to Illai Kenney, the Managing Director of the HBCU Green Fund, this initiative builds a framework to advocate for climate action, economic transformation, and environmental sovereignty, emphasizing the importance of youth in shaping future dialogues surrounding climate change.

The gathering was not merely a meeting; it served as a call to action, urging organizations, activists, and stakeholders globally to endorse and support a declaration advocating for climate justice. Vanessa Ngunjiri from the Udgoon Sustainable Development Initiative in Kenya highlighted the urgency of this movement, calling on participants to join and support the initiative actively.

The context of this year's Earth Day initiative is particularly pressing, especially after the outcomes of COP 29. Here, negotiators made strides in formalizing Loss and Damage financing mechanisms—an essential step toward aiding climate-vulnerable nations. Youth leaders from this initiative are now intent on ensuring these commitments transform into direct resources for grassroots projects throughout Africa and the Diaspora.

Denise Ayebare, founder of Better Life International in Uganda, noted that an alarming 88% of global climate change-related damages primarily impact Africa while only a meager 2% of global climate funding reaches the continent. This inequity highlights a dire need for climate action that recognizes, funds, and addresses the damage disproportionately affecting African countries.

The core demands captured in the African Youth Climate Justice Statement reveal a multifaceted approach to addressing environmental concerns:

• - Climate Finance Justice: Calls for immediate actions to fulfill Loss and Damage commitments, the cancellation of climate-related debts, and direct financing to grassroots youth-led initiatives.
• - Centering Africa in Climate Negotiations: A demand to end neocolonial carbon offset strategies, ensuring fair representation and safeguarding Indigenous lands and forests.
• - Just Transition and Green Jobs: Emphasizing the investment in youth-led renewable energy and sustainable industry initiatives, coupled with clear employment pathways.
• - Climate Education and Cultural Sovereignty: Advocating for climate education rooted in African contexts, supporting youth-led storytelling and cultural engagement.
• - Pan-African Solidarity and Diaspora Collaboration: Fostering strong connections between African and African American youth in confronting systemic injustices.

Saustine Lusanzu from the Earthcare Foundation in Tanzania captured the essence of this initiative as more than a statement, describing it as a transformative movement that establishes a structure for sustained youth leadership in climate justice across Africa.

The HBCU Green Fund has a long-standing history of promoting youth participation in climate action. Over a decade, it has equipped youth delegates from numerous African nations with tools and resources necessary to engage in international climate conversations actively.

As a crucial part of this ongoing effort, the HBCU Green Fund calls upon youth-focused organizations, climate activists, and supporters to participate in this vital movement for climate justice. Those interested in joining or learning more can reach out via email.

About the HBCU Green Fund

Based in Georgia with offices in Washington, D.C., and Senegal, the HBCU Green Fund has championed climate action, sustainability, and environmental justice for over ten years. Founded by Felicia Davis, the organization initially aimed to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and has since evolved into a global initiative empowering Black communities to create a greener and more resilient future. With its Sustainable Africa Future Network, headquartered in Dakar and led by Cheikhou Thiome, the institution collaborates with various organizations to promote sustainable projects across Africa and the Diaspora.