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YOUNGO LENS 1st Cohort: Learning-to-Action Programme on Loss and Damage
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Publish Date 9/25/2026 Application Deadline 9/29/2026 Opportunity Type Fellowships Publisher Foras Khadra Available Countries All World, The Arab World, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, United Arab Emirates, Oman, Yemen, Egypt, Sudan, Libya, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Mauritania, Djibouti, Somalia, Comoros Description

YOUNGO LENS, short for Learning, Equity, Negotiation & Solutions, is a learning-to-action initiative of the YOUNGO Loss and Damage Working Group, the official children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), with support from UNICEF.

The programme aims to strengthen young people's understanding of climate-related Loss and Damage while helping them develop practical knowledge and skills to engage in policy, advocacy, negotiations, and global climate processes. It brings together young leaders, researchers, students, practitioners, advocates, and others interested in climate action to explore topics including climate justice, governance, finance, scientific evidence, negotiations, advocacy, and solutions.

Rather than treating learning as an end in itself, LENS connects knowledge with opportunities for meaningful engagement and action. Participants will have opportunities to connect their learning with ongoing youth policy and advocacy processes within YOUNGO and the wider Loss and Damage community.

The programme also aims to build a lasting community and network of young people working on Loss and Damage who can continue learning, contributing, and applying their experience in their own national, local, or community contexts.
Details
  • Programme Period: October–November 2026.
  • Format: Fully online.
  • Programme Activities: Interactive online sessions, discussions, learning resources, reflection, collaborative activities, and opportunities to engage with ongoing policy and advocacy processes.
  • Time Commitment: Approximately 3–4 hours per week during the programme period.
  • Programme Language: English.
  • Application Method: Online application form.
  • Main Topics: Loss and Damage, climate justice and equity, Loss and Damage governance, the Warsaw International Mechanism, the Santiago Network, Loss and Damage finance, the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, science and evidence, economic and non-economic losses, negotiations, youth engagement, advocacy, policy engagement, and solutions.
  • Expert Engagement: Participants will have opportunities to learn from and interact with experts, negotiators, researchers, practitioners, and youth leaders.
  • Important Application Note: AI-generated answers will not be accepted and may lead to disqualification. Applicants are expected to provide their own voice, experiences, motivations, and reflections.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Applicants must be 18–35 years old.
  • Applicants may be from any nationality or region worldwide.
  • Applicants should be passionate about or actively engaged in areas such as:
  • Climate justice.
  • Loss and Damage.
  • Climate adaptation.
  • Resilience.
  • Disaster response.
  • Human rights.
  • Policy advocacy.
  • Research.
  • Community action.
  • Applicants should be interested in deepening their engagement with Loss and Damage processes, climate policy, advocacy, or community-based action.
  • Applicants must be able to commit approximately 3–4 hours per week during the programme.
  • Applicants should have conversational proficiency in English.
  • Applicants must have reliable internet access to participate in online sessions and activities.
  • Previous experience in climate, policy, advocacy, research, humanitarian, development, or justice-related work is preferred but not mandatory.
  • Children and youth from underrepresented and frontline communities are particularly encouraged to apply.
Opportunity Benefits
  • Strengthen knowledge and understanding of Loss and Damage and climate justice.
  • Develop a better understanding of Loss and Damage governance and related institutions and processes.
  • Learn about the Warsaw International Mechanism, Santiago Network, and Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage.
  • Develop knowledge of science, evidence, economic and non-economic losses, and community perspectives.
  • Gain practical understanding of youth engagement, policy processes, advocacy, and climate negotiations.
  • Learn and interact with experts, researchers, negotiators, practitioners, and youth leaders.
  • Access opportunities to engage with children and youth policy and advocacy processes.
  • Develop ideas for applying the knowledge gained at national, local, or community levels.
  • Join a growing community and network of young people working on Loss and Damage.