Background

Background:
Kenya Youth Climate Network (KYCN) is a youth
movement comprised of youth organisations and
networks, including Kenya Young Greens (KYG), Africa
Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC-Kenya),
Korogocho Community radio (Koch FM), Kama si
Sisi Artist Group, Young Environmentalists Network
in Africa (YENA), the Third Movement, Inter-varsity
Environmentalist Network (IVEN) among others.
It was consolidated in 2009 as part of young people’s
advocacy and information initiative towards the 15th
Conference of the Parties (COP 15) to the United
Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC).

KYCN represents young people, youth organisations and
networks that work on the themes of environment and
governance issues from a youth perspective in Kenya at
community and national levels. It further runs several advocacy
initiatives with close partnership with other youth movements
and civil society in Kenya, Africa and globally.

The youth and networks under KYCN recognise that climate
change is an issue that required urgent action to curb its
impacts. In Kenya, climate change has affected important
sectors such as agriculture, tourism, water, health, security and
others. It compromises economic and development growth of
nations and communities and increases poverty. Kenya and
other countries of Africa are particularly vulnerable because of
their poverty and weak resilience making them unable
to cope with disasters that climate change causes.

KYCN sees climate change not only as an environmental
issue, but also a leadership issue. Accountable and
decisive leadership plays a critical role in addressing
climate change. KYCN is part of the Kenya Climate
Change Working Group (KCCWG) as well as the
global Change Maker movement. It is hosted by the
Norwegian Church Aid (NCA), a voluntary ecumenical
organisation that works to promote the basic rights of
people.

Objectives:
KYCN has three main objectives: to mobilise and build
capacity of youth in Kenya to respond to the challenges
of climate change and environmental degradation
and leadership; to create a nationwide movement of
youth that are passionate about their communities
and country; and to participate in active advocacy
towards just communities that embraces and utilises
the potential, energy and creativity of youth.