Climate Action

Climate Action Programme

The Shima Leadership Academies Climate Action Programme is designed to empower children, young people, and their communities to take active roles in addressing local climate challenges. By fostering leadership skills and promoting practical, grassroots solutions, the programme aims to create a generation of climate-conscious individuals who are equipped to lead and drive meaningful change in their communities.

The programme’s goal is to build leadership in children and young people by engaging them directly in climate action projects, helping them to understand the impact of climate change on their communities, and empowering them to develop and implement solutions. By integrating leadership training with climate action, we aim to inspire youth to become proactive, solution-oriented leaders in the fight against climate change.

Key Focus Areas:

Leadership Development in Climate Action:

• Provide leadership training that empowers young people to take on roles in climate action projects.
• Encourage youth-led initiatives that focus on local climate issues such as deforestation, water scarcity, waste management, or urban heat islands.
• Offer mentorship and coaching from environmental experts, local leaders, and climate activists to guide young people in leading community-based projects.
• Foster critical thinking and decision-making skills, helping youth to approach climate challenges with innovative and sustainable solutions.

Community-Led Environmental Projects:

• Engage children and young people in identifying local climate challenges and developing actionable solutions, such as creating green spaces, promoting waste reduction, or establishing water conservation methods.
• Facilitate the development of small-scale, hands-on projects such as tree planting, community gardens, recycling drives, and sustainable energy solutions.
• Encourage youth involvement in environmental education campaigns to raise awareness of climate change within their communities.
• Involve local leaders, parents, and community members to ensure collective action and long-term sustainability.

Youth Climate Leadership Forums and Events:

• Organize forums, workshops, and conferences where young people can present their climate solutions, share experiences, and collaborate with peers across communities and countries.
• Provide a platform for young leaders to connect with industry experts, policymakers, and global climate organizations to amplify their voices and advocate for climate action.
• Encourage youth to participate in national and international climate events, such as the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP), where they can learn from global leaders and contribute to the global climate dialogue.

Collaboration with Schools and Local Communities:

• Work with schools to integrate climate action into curricula, allowing students to explore environmental issues, sustainability practices, and climate science.
• Support schools in creating eco-friendly spaces, such as school gardens, recycling programs, and renewable energy projects.
• Promote partnerships with local community groups, businesses, and government bodies to implement solutions to shared climate challenges, from energy efficiency to waste management.

Building Resilience and Adaptation Strategies:

• Provide training in climate resilience and adaptation, focusing on how communities can prepare for and respond to climate-related events such as floods, droughts, or extreme weather.
• Support the development of early warning systems for climate hazards, and help youth understand the importance of disaster preparedness and response.
• Build youth-led initiatives that focus on climate adaptation, such as water harvesting, drought-resistant farming practices, and natural disaster recovery.

Leadership Summits

The Shima Foundation’s Local Leadership Summits are designed as annual events designed to unite young leaders, practitioners, community activists, and local government representatives from across the country. These gatherings provide a dynamic platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovative solutions to the challenges faced by young people in communities nationwide. Building on the insights and momentum generated during the National Youth Conference held by Shima Foundation a few years ago, the Local Leadership Summits serve as a continuation of the Foundation’s commitment to empowering youth leaders and fostering collaboration at both local and national levels.

The Local Leadership Summits aim to create an environment for youth and community leaders to come together, exchange ideas, and collaborate on solutions that address the pressing issues young people face today. The summits also offer a space for networking, capacity-building, and advocacy, enabling young leaders to amplify their voices and influence positive change within their communities and at the national level.

Key Features:

1. Learning and Capacity Building:
   The summits offer a range of workshops, panel discussions, and interactive sessions designed to build the leadership skills of youth and practitioners. Topics covered include leadership development, youth empowerment, community organizing, social entrepreneurship, and sustainable development. These sessions are led by experts, practitioners, and past summit participants who share their experiences and insights.
2. Knowledge Sharing and Best Practices:
   Participants have the opportunity to share their local experiences and strategies, learning from the successes and challenges of other regions. The summits encourage open dialogue and collaboration, fostering a strong sense of solidarity among youth leaders across the country. This exchange of ideas and best practices helps to refine local initiatives and adapt them for wider impact.
3. Networking and Partnerships:
   The summits provide a unique opportunity for youth leaders to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, building a strong network of allies and supporters. These relationships often lead to collaborative projects, partnerships, and joint initiatives that extend the impact of the summit beyond the event itself.
4. Youth-Led Advocacy and Action:
   Building on the momentum created at the summits, participants are encouraged to take action on the issues discussed by creating youth-led advocacy campaigns, organizing local community events, and lobbying for policy changes. The summits act as a springboard for youth leaders to advance causes important to them, whether it be education, health, employment, climate action, or civic engagement.
5. Inspiration and Motivation:
   The Local Leadership Summits are designed to inspire young people to pursue leadership roles within their communities and beyond. By bringing together passionate youth leaders and practitioners, the summit creates an energizing environment where attendees leave with a renewed sense of purpose, motivation, and a clear plan of action.

Shima Foundation’s Local Leadership Summits are an essential part of the Foundation’s broader mission to empower young people, enhance their leadership potential, and foster collaboration across communities. These summits continue to build on the legacy of the National Youth Conference, turning conversations into action and inspiring a new generation of youth leaders who are equipped to address the challenges of today and shape a better future for all. Through learning, sharing, and collaboration, the Local Leadership Summits enable young people to become influential change-makers at the local and national levels.

The Local Leadership Summits are designed to have a lasting impact on the communities, as the knowledge and connections gained during the event lead to tangible projects, initiatives, and policy advocacy. The summits will be developed to create national or localised platforms for young people to take ownership of their futures and become catalysts for change. In turn, these events help to build stronger, more resilient communities by equipping youth with the tools, networks, and confidence they need to make meaningful contributions at both local and national levels.