The Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF)is pleased to be part of the stakeholders gathering in Germany for the Global South Youth Re-Granters Network Retreat.The initiative which being led by the Climate Justice-Just Transition Donor Collaborative (CJ-JT)in partnership with the Southern Africa Trust (SAT), ADESO, Green Africa Youth Organisation (GAYO), Youth Climate Justice Fund (YCJF), and the Southern Africa Youth Forum (SAYoF).
Since 2021 the CJ-JT Donor Collaborativehas been working to investigate the lack of funding going to movement building led by youth which has led to the formation of the Youth Funders Network. Realizing that, “Youth and Communities on the front lines of climate impacts are leading the intersectional movements needed to achieve a justice aligned 1.5C world. Yet, their efforts are critically underfunded and undervalued” (CJ-JT).
Together we have identified an important gap: there is no formal, long-term philanthropic infrastructure convening existing and emerging youth-focused donors, re-granters, and Global South-based organizations to coordinate and increase funding to youth-led movements in the Global South.
We are grateful that the 3-day initiative in Bonn is bringing together youth movement leaders, change-makers, and funders to forge deep connections, share good practices, and co-design a well-resourced network to sustain youth climate movements in the Global South.
SAYoF also appreciates the partnership with SAT through our SADC Youth Call for Climate Action under the Office of the Southern Africa Climate Change Youth Envoy which has led to this collaboration that will support youth initiatives in Global South.
The SAYoF delegation attending the event is composed of H.E. Laurel Kivuyo (SADC Youth Climate Change Youth Envoy), Mr. Reon Van Der Merwe (SAYoF Regional Programs Associate and Mr. Misheck Gondo (SAYoF Regional Coordinator)
