As Climate change continues to pose one of the greatest challenges of human history, children and youth-led organizations and institutions have successfully worked towards their meaningful inclusion and spot in decision-making spaces. However, knowledge gaps keep being a burden in their engagement, especially in more specific areas like Climate Finances. Therefore, safe spaces with comprehensive approaches that close those gaps are crucial to continue paving the way of youth empowerment and advocacy.
Following previous exercises in Europe and Central Asia, COY 18, and reinforcing its commitment with youth, CIF is hosting an intergenerational official side event together with UNICEF LAC and YOUNGO during the ECOSOC Partnership Forum. This workshop will cover Climate Finances basic concepts and case studies, youth-led initiatives and work, and will draw on regional children-focused strategies for involvement – all while continuously offering feedback to participants with interactive activities.
After opening remarks by Dora Cudjoe, Program Lead of Governance and Stakeholder Engagement CIF teams, Renée Cooper, CIF Youth Fellow with the Interamerican Development Bank , will begin the conversation by explaining Climate Finances fundamentals and sharing a case study from the fields of working on CIF projects implemented by the IDB. Later, Genaro Godoy, 2023 Contact Point of YOUNGO’s Market and Finances Working Group, will showcase insights from one of the biggest movements in youth empowerment regarding Climate Finances. Finally, María Porras, Climate Change and Disaster Risk Reduction Specialist from UNICEF LAC will share the Regional Office’s work in addressing one of the most vulnerable group’s priorities and needs. Reis López Rello, Climate Change and Sustainable Development Advisor also from UNICEF LAC, will close the session with his invaluable insights.
This workshop will mark the beginning of the 2024 series of events aimed towards Youth empowerment, Climate Finance Trainings and collaborative initiatives.