African Union’s Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy and Action Plan (2022-2032) is Africa’s first collective climate change
action plan and strategy that details specific suggested actions the continent needs to urgently undertake to respond to climate change. The Strategy seeks to harmonise the continent’s response to climate change over the next decade, setting out the key guiding principles, priorities, and intervention areas for enhanced climate cooperation. This Strategy is the framework for climate action of all Africans, including both government and non-government stakeholders. For the Strategy to be effectively implemented, broad-based ownership and inclusive participation is vital.
The African Union Commission will host a Climate Action Innovation Hub at the upcoming Africa Climate Summit, taking place 4-6 September 2023 in Nairobi, Kenya. This Climate Action Innovation Hub will provide an opportunity to showcase a diverse range of the bold, innovative climate actions, lead by women and youth, that are taking place across the continent that align and operationalise specific ambitions and goals of the Africa Climate Change Strategy.
The Climate Action Innovation Hub will be a dedicated space for Africa’s innovators, especially women and youth, to showcase their ‘game changing’ climate-orientated solutions and innovations that support the achievement of a climate-resilient and sustainable Africa. The Climate Action Innovation Hub provides an important platform to exchange key lessons and share ideas, as well as an opportunity to garner support for innovative solutions from a diverse and broad audience, including policy makers and potential investors.
These transformative climate innovations and initiatives, of varying scales, may touch on any of the major themes identified within the Climate Strategy. These include, but are not limited to: clean energy; climate-smart agriculture and sustainable land management; biodiversity conservation; green economy and sustainable value chains; sustainable fisheries management; water storage and conservation; waste management and circular economy; green transport and climate resilient infrastructure, resilient and climate smart cities, etc. These also can include advocacy, empowerment, and awareness raising initiatives, as well as capacity building projects.
A key criteria for selection is that the innovation must be lead by women or youth, or directly target them, demonstrate a contribution towards building Africa’s climate adaptation capacity, reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and/or enhancing its overall climate resilience. Applications from climate innovators at various scales are welcome, with a preference given to projects that operate at a grassroots level or that demonstrate a high degree of social inclusion.
For the opportunity to be selected as one of the African innovators to participate in the African Union Climate Action Innovation Hub, please complete and submit the below application no later than Friday, 4th August 2023 at midnight East African Time.
