Everywhere, young people in their communities are causing change and demanding more action on issues like climate change that affect their lives and future.

The Global Centre on Adaptation (GCA) is jointly implementing the Youth Adaptation Solutions Challenge (YouthADAPT Challenge) under a strategic partnership program called the African Adaptation Acceleration Program (AAAP).

The challenge supports young African innovators keen on making a change via an innovative business idea that can drive climate change adaptation and resilience across Africa.

YouthADAPT Challenge is an annual competition and awards program for youth-led enterprises (50% women-led) jointly organized by the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA), the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Climate Investment Funds (CIF) as part of the Africa Adaptation Acceleration Program YouthADAPT Flagship Program.

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This challenge seeks to boost sustainable job creation through support for entrepreneurship and youth-led innovation in climate change adaptation and resilience across Africa.

The competition invites young entrepreneurs and Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa to submit innovative solutions and business ideas that can drive climate change adaptation and resilience across Africa.

Winners will receive access to funds, capacity-building training, and mentorship to support their climate change adaptation innovation across their community and Africa.

The 2021 YouthADAPT Solutions Challenge winners were unveiled at COP26 in Glasgow, United Kingdom, in a ceremony held at the Africa Pavilion.

They include IPREN Smart’o solution – Niger, Kivu Green Corporation – Democratic Republic of Congo, Vanilla Comores SARL – Comoros, Innov Tech Bénin – Benin and Miama General Dealers Limited – Zambia, among others. See the complete list here.

What is climate change adaptation?

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) defines climate change adaptation as: “…. adjustments in ecological, social, or economic systems in response to actual or expected climatic stimuli and their effects or impacts.

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It refers to changes in processes, practices, and structures to moderate potential damages or benefit from climate change opportunities.

In simple terms, countries and communities need to develop adaptation solutions and implement action to respond to the impacts of climate change that are already happening, as well as prepare for future impacts.”

In summary, an adaptation solution refers to any necessary measure, practice, product, or service that helps counteract and minimise the risks arising from the changing climate, thereby reducing vulnerability and increasing resilience.

The YouthADAPT Challenge is open to solutions (products, services, tools, or ideas) targeted at climate change adaptation and increasing resilience. Admissible solutions can represent:

• An adaptation solutions business that has not been scaled and is not in widespread use
• An existing resilience and adaptation solutions business or product
• A commercially viable means to raise awareness or scale uptake of specific adaptation solutions.

In this edition of the challenge, 20 innovators will emerge as winners at an award show and will have access to post-award support will be provided in the form of:

• 100,000 USD Grant for each winner
• Capacity Building Training
• Mentorship and Coaching

The eligibility criteria for applying to the Challenge are as follows:

• Youth-led, with applicants between the ages of 18 and 35
• Delivering climate adaptation or resilience solutions addressing real-life challenges
• Legally registered and operating in Africa
• Able to show revenues for at least two years
• Women-owned and women-led enterprises will make up 50% of selected enterprises

How to apply

Apply by visiting here and following the instructions. The deadline for application is Tuesday, October 4, 2022