Youth and community-led climate action through the Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa project
The Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa (SA Climate Change Champions) project aimed to capacitate youth, women and communities to harness opportunities within the renewable energy sector and provide tools to address climate change mitigation and adaptation. The project was co-funded by the European Union, implemented in partnership with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and delivered by GreenCape.
Summary of action: Key project impact highlights
The focus of the SA Climate Change Champions was on urban and rural communities, women, and youth in the Eastern, Northern and Western Cape. These were the communities and citizens that stood to benefit from a transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy, but whose voices were not adequately heard at the national level and who lacked the knowledge, capacity, and sense of agency to act locally.
The establishment of climate clubs as powerful hubs for education, awareness, and youth-led climate advocacy reaching 422 high school learners:
- 422 high school learners reached through 23 climate and renewable energy workshops.
- Nine climate clubs were established and are still active across all three provinces.
- 85 entries submitted in youth-led Renewable Energy and Green Opportunities competitions.
- 12 awareness-raising campaigns led by climate clubs at their schools.
- 15 indigenous trees were planted at Kirstenbosch and other sites as part of local greening efforts.
- 11 field trips and site visits to renewable energy projects, nature reserves, and climate sites.
Positioning communities as key contributors to climate and public policy:
- Six community-led climate policy dialogues across the provinces.
- Six renewable energy policy interactions facilitated by youth, community-based organisations (CBOs) and civil society organisations (CSOs) engaging provincial premiers and stakeholders.
- Eight socio-economic development/business–community engagements with project developers like Globeleq, Juwi Solar, Umoya, and Khi Solar One.
- More than 50 formal signatories on submissions made to public policy processes, including:
- The National Climate Change Bill (with three community submissions)
- The Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP) (six youth-led submissions)
- The South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM) (15 inputs from youth consolidated into two regional submissions)
Capacity building as an enabler of community agency and action:
- Over 20 training-of-trainers (ToT) and training workshops held with over 500 teachers, CBOs, CSOs, and learners.
- Over 60% participation of women in ToTs and over 50% participation of women and youth across all engagements.
- 100% of training targets met, with 80% of participants showing increased knowledge in pre/post tests.
- Training materials developed in English and Afrikaans, including renewable energy toolkits, media guides, and educator manuals.
Fostering a sense of ownership to sustain community-driven implementation:
- Six CBO-led awareness raising events delivered across the three provinces.
- Nine teacher-led school awareness plans implemented, with activities ranging from recycling drives to vegetable gardens.
- Youth participation in six policy events with local authorities and regional stakeholders.
- Climate action murals, clean-ups, and eco-campaigns initiated independently by learners.
Accessing media as a platform to amplify community visibility and networks:
- 48 media outputs produced, including newspaper articles, radio interviews, and a youth-run podcast.
- One short documentary produced with the EU Film Commission showcasing impact through collaboration between Fatyela Enviroworks and Khanyolwethu High School.
- Youth connected to 6 global climate networks for peer learning and solidarity.
- Virtual platform established using WhatsApp, TikTok and Spotify to amplify youth voices and expand reach.
After the project’s final year of implementation, an independent evaluation rated the initiative as highly effective across all criteria set by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-Development Assistance Committee. The evaluation found clear evidence of sustained impact and local ownership. Climate clubs and CSOs have continued their activities beyond the project’s funding, and the initiative built a strong foundation for scaling efforts to other provinces and strengthening partnerships with local government.
In summary, the project empowered young people and grassroots organisations to become active, informed climate advocates. It generated lasting momentum for inclusive, locally driven action and positioned communities as key contributors to a just and resilient climate future in South Africa.
