Shaping Policies for a Sustainable Future

Amplifying Youth Voices for Inclusive Environmental Decision-Making

Project Overview

The Advocacy & Policy Influence project aims to strengthen youth participation in environmental governance and public decision-making by promoting informed advocacy, public awareness, and constructive engagement with policy processes.

Implemented by Ethiopian Youth Environmental Awareness (EYEA), the project recognises that lasting environmental solutions require inclusive policies shaped by diverse perspectives—especially those of young people and affected communities. Youth are often underrepresented in environmental decision-making despite being among the most impacted by climate change and environmental degradation.

Through youth-led advocacy campaigns, capacity building, and dialogue with stakeholders, the project empowers young people to engage meaningfully in environmental policy discussions at local, national, and international levels.

Objectives

The project seeks to achieve the following objectives:

• Strengthen youth capacity for environmental advocacy and policy engagement

• Raise public awareness on key environmental and climate-related issues

• Promote inclusive youth participation in policy dialogue and decision-making

• Support community voices in environmental governance processes

• Encourage evidence-based and rights-informed environmental policies

  
  

Core Components

Youth-Led Advocacy Campaigns

The project supports advocacy initiatives designed and led by young people, including:

• Public awareness campaigns on environmental and climate issues

• Community mobilisation and outreach activities

• Use of creative, digital, and media tools to amplify youth voices

These campaigns enable young people to communicate priorities, influence public opinion, and inspire collective action.

Policy Dialogue and Engagement

The project facilitates structured engagement between youth, communities, and decision-makers through:

• Policy dialogues, roundtables, and consultations

• Participation in environmental forums and events

• Engagement with institutions, civil society organisations, and networks

These platforms create opportunities for constructive exchange and inclusive decision-making.

Capacity Building for Advocacy

Training and capacity-building activities focus on:

• Advocacy and campaigning skills

• Policy literacy and understanding of governance processes

• Communication, negotiation, and public speaking

• Civic engagement and ethical leadership

Capacity building ensures that advocacy efforts are informed, credible, and impactful.

Strategies and Approach

The Advocacy & Policy Influence project applies inclusive and strategic approaches, including:

• Evidence-based advocacy grounded in research and community realities

• Youth participation in consultations, forums, and policy processes

• Collaboration with civil society organisations and institutional stakeholders

• Use of traditional and digital media to raise awareness and visibility

• Promotion of respectful and constructive engagement with decision-makers

These strategies strengthen the legitimacy and effectiveness of youth advocacy.

Target Groups and Geographic Focus

• Target groups:

  • Youth and youth-led organisations

  • Community representatives

  • Civil society actors and advocates

• Geographic focus:

  • Local and national engagement in Ethiopia

  • Regional and international advocacy platforms

• Project status:

  • Ongoing

    
    

Expected Impact

Through this project, EYEA aims to:

• Increase youth participation in environmental governance

• Strengthen public awareness of environmental and climate challenges

• Support inclusive and responsive environmental policies

• Empower young people as informed advocates and leaders

• Contribute to transparent, accountable, and participatory decision-making

  
  

How to Get Involved

Individuals and organisations can support the Advocacy & Policy Influence project by:

• Participating in advocacy and awareness campaigns

• Supporting training and policy dialogue initiatives

• Contributing expertise, research, or technical support

• Providing financial or in-kind contributions

• Partnering with EYEA on policy engagement and advocacy actions

  
  

Join Us

By supporting the Advocacy & Policy Influence project, you help amplify youth voices and promote inclusive environmental decision-making.

Together, we can ensure that policies shaping our environment reflect the perspectives, needs, and aspirations of young people and communities.