Youth Voices for Climate Justice in Lake Chad

Lake Chad, which straddles the borders of Niger, Chad, Nigeria, and Cameroon, was once one of the largest lakes in the world, but it has been rapidly shrinking for decades. In fact, since the 1960s, it has lost over 90% of its mass. As the lake and its once bright ecological zone shrink, so too do employment opportunities in the region. As climate change drives rapid desertification and unpredictable rainfall, these traditional livelihoods have decreased, causing economic insecurity and rising rates of gender-based violence.

Under this 2-year, $200,000 USD project, the Development of Educational Action Network (DEAN) will create the Lake Chad Climate Justice Fellowship, a two-year program empowering 20 young climate activists from the Lake Chad region. Fellows will receive capacity building support to better understand the connections between climate change, insecurity, and gender-based violence. Fellows will then use their knowledge and voices to advocate for climate justice in their communities and on global stages. They will also receive seed funding to implement climate resilience projects where they live.