Youth Climate Engagement in Eastern Uganda: Advancing NDC Monitoring and Action

The youth consultative meeting on climate change, organized by the Youth Climate Council — Uganda through Youth Leading Environmental Change (YLEC), convened young leaders, local government officials, and environmental experts in Eastern Uganda to discuss Uganda's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). MUWEI and other participants shared experiences on local climate challenges — deforestation, flooding, soil degradation, and food insecurity — and explored youth-led solutions such as agroforestry, green jobs, and social enterprises.

Outcomes

• Introduced reporting platforms like ROOTS and encouraged youth engagement in platforms such as LCOY and COP30.
• Highlighted barriers: limited access to climate finance, bureaucratic hurdles for seedling distribution, and weak law enforcement.
• Recommendations: institutionalize youth representation, improve climate information access, support tree nurseries, and promote youth-led climate initiatives.

The meeting strengthened youth-government collaboration, enhanced understanding of NDC monitoring, and mobilized participants for community action.