Article
Theme: From Play to Policy – Young Minds with Green Solutions
Date: July 30, 2025
Venue: MOTIV Innovation Hub, Bugolobi, Kampala
Organized by: Youth Climate Council Uganda, Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), and the National Youth Council (NYC)
Empowering Young Minds for a Sustainable Future
On July 30, 2025, Strides for Green Initiative proudly joined hundreds of young climate leaders, innovators, and policymakers at the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Uganda 2025, held at MOTIV Innovation Hub in Bugolobi. The event, held under the theme “From Play to Policy – Young Minds with Green Solutions,” was an inspiring convergence of energy, creativity, and action toward Uganda’s green transition.
Our participation underscored Strides for Green Initiative’s ongoing commitment to youth empowerment, environmental education, and climate justice advocacy across Uganda. The conference provided an excellent opportunity to connect our work with national policy dialogues, amplify grassroots voices, and contribute to shaping climate solutions that are inclusive, sustainable, and community-driven.
About the Conference
LCOY Uganda 2025 was organized by the Youth Climate Council Uganda, in partnership with Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) and the National Youth Council, with support from institutions such as UNDP, GIZ, and the Ministry of Water and Environment.
The event brought together over 200 participants, including youth leaders, children, policymakers, development partners, civil society actors, and climate innovators. It built upon a series of six regional consultations conducted across Uganda—in West Nile, Northern, Eastern, Western, and Central regions, as well as in the Kyangwali Refugee Settlement—to ensure that the voices of youth and children from all backgrounds were included in the National Youth and Children’s Climate Statement 2025.
Pre-Conference Capacity Building
Ahead of the main event, selected youth leaders participated in two days of workshops (July 28–29, 2025) hosted at the GIZ Uganda Office, where they were trained in:
Understanding Carbon Markets and Carbon Credit Systems
Exploring Renewable Energy Solutions in Uganda
Developing Green Jobs and Sustainable Enterprises
Engaging with the UNFCCC Process and influencing global climate negotiations
These sessions, facilitated by experts from the Ministry of Water and Environment, GIZ, and UNFCCC RCC, equipped youth with technical skills and policy knowledge essential for climate leadership.
Highlights from the Main Conference
The main event at MOTIV Innovation Hub featured an interactive program that blended policy dialogue, innovation showcases, and cultural expression.
Key moments included:
The launch of the 2025 National Youth and Children’s Climate Statement, presenting actionable recommendations to the government.
A policy dialogue where youth shared regional demands directly with policymakers and development partners.
Exhibitions of innovative youth-led projects in plastic recycling, solar technology, green textiles, and sustainable agriculture.
Performances by school groups through climate-themed music, dance, and drama that illustrated creative advocacy.
A vibrant networking session connecting young innovators with funders, partners, and mentors.
Strides for Green Initiative representatives engaged in discussions on how community-based environmental education, green entrepreneurship, and local policy influence can advance climate resilience.
Key Outcomes and Lessons
Strengthened collaboration with youth climate networks and institutions including GIZ, UNDP, and the Ministry of Water and Environment.
Enhanced understanding of carbon markets and how local organizations like SGI can position communities to benefit from climate finance.
Recognition of the importance of youth inclusion in policy-making and the need for continuous capacity building at the grassroots.
Inspiration to integrate innovative renewable energy solutions into SGI’s ongoing projects in schools and rural communities.
National Youth & Children’s Climate Statement 2025
The statement developed and launched at the conference covers six key areas:
Capacity Building and Compliance
Technology Transfer and Development
Mitigation, Adaptation, and Loss & Damage
Climate Finance
Gender and Climate Justice
Inclusion of Refugees and Persons with Disabilities
This comprehensive document serves as a guiding framework for youth-led advocacy and a tool for influencing national climate policies.
Looking Ahead
As Strides for Green Initiative, we are committed to taking forward the energy and insights from LCOY Uganda 2025. We aim to:
Strengthen youth participation in climate policy implementation, especially at local levels.
Expand our environmental education programs to reach more children and schools.
Support refugee and girl-led green innovations in the regions where we work.
Advocate for inclusive climate financing and transparency mechanisms for community projects.
We believe that when youth are equipped with knowledge, creativity, and agency, they become powerful catalysts for the green future Uganda envisions.
In Case You Missed It
Social Media Highlights: #LCOYUganda2025
Organizers: Youth Climate Council Uganda, Green Africa Youth Organization, National Youth Council
Venue: MOTIV Innovation Hub, Bugolobi, Kampala
About Strides for Green Initiative
Strides for Green Initiative (SGI) is a youth-led environmental organization in Uganda dedicated to promoting climate justice, environmental education, and sustainable development. We work with communities, schools, and institutions to empower people to take action against climate change and build resilient, green livelihoods.
