The African Youth Negotiators Fellowship (AYNF) has opened applications for its fifth cohort, targeting young Africans interested in climate policy, diplomacy, and global negotiations.
The programme, a pan-African initiative, is designed to build the capacity of youth across the continent to actively participate in climate governance processes, particularly within the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
Organisers said the fellowship will be implemented in three structured phases, beginning with a mandatory online learning stage. Applicants are required to complete the Climate Science 101 course on the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal and upload their certificate as part of the application process.
Those who advance beyond the initial stage may be required to complete additional coursework, quizzes, or assignments before final selection.
Successful candidates will proceed to the second phase, which involves a one-week intensive hybrid training in Ghana. The training will focus on advanced climate negotiations, policy writing, simulations, and practical exercises designed to strengthen participants’ understanding of negotiation frameworks, the UNFCCC system, and regional policy dynamics.
The final phase will centre on mentorship, thematic negotiation labs, development of policy briefs, and coordinated engagement before, during, and after COP31, giving fellows hands-on exposure to global climate discussions.
The fellowship is organised by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Ghana and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN).
According to the organisers, the initiative aims to address the gap in youth representation in climate decision-making by equipping young Africans with the technical knowledge, leadership skills, and confidence needed to influence policies at national, regional, and international levels.
To qualify, applicants must be citizens of an African country aged between 15 and 35, demonstrate a strong interest in climate justice and diplomacy, and have some level of experience or interest in climate policy.
Applicants must also complete at least one course on the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal and be willing to fully participate in all three phases of the programme. Proficiency in English is required, as it is the language of instruction.
Applications close on April 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. GMT. Interested applicants can apply through the official link:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjvj2jddVkOJkav9FV5dN6muN4IuNCtn4Mrg1c9hejmxJwgA/viewform. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
