Young people across Enugu State are experiencing the effects of climate change while seeking practical opportunities to build sustainable livelihoods.
South Saharan Social Development Organisation (SSDO), in partnership with ActionAid Nigeria under the Strategic Partnership Agreement (SPA II) Project, is supporting young people to participate in climate action and explore emerging opportunities in the green economy.
To commemorate International Youth Day 2026, SSDO convened the Enugu Youth Climate Action Forum to connect young people with stakeholders working across climate action, skills development, and green employment.
Connecting Young People to the Green Economy
Climate action is creating new opportunities across sectors such as renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and climate technology.
For young people to benefit from these opportunities, they need access to relevant skills, information, networks, and pathways into employment or enterprise.
The Enugu Youth Climate Action Forum brought together young people, government representatives, private sector organisations, training institutions, development partners, and practitioners working across these areas.
The discussions focused on practical entry points into the green economy rather than climate change as a standalone issue.
Participants explored the skills required for emerging green jobs and considered practical steps they could take towards building careers and livelihoods in these sectors.
Exploring Green Jobs and Livelihood Opportunities
The forum highlighted several areas with potential for youth participation in Enugu’s growing green economy.
Renewable energy offers opportunities for young people to develop technical skills and build enterprises around clean energy solutions.
Sustainable agriculture provides another pathway, particularly as climate change continues to affect food production and rural livelihoods.
Participants also examined opportunities in waste management, the circular economy, and climate technology.
These conversations helped connect broad discussions about climate action with specific sectors where young people can develop skills, businesses, and careers.
Connecting Climate Conversations to Real Opportunities
A practical example emerged through the recognition of a young entrepreneur using green energy in her business.
The Enugu State SME agency awarded her ₦100,000 to support her enterprise in recognition of her work.
The award demonstrated how support for green businesses can translate climate conversations into tangible opportunities for young entrepreneurs.
It also gave participants a concrete example of how innovation, enterprise development, and climate action can intersect.
Giving Young People a Voice in Climate Action
The Enugu Youth Climate Action Forum also created space for young people to contribute their perspectives to climate and employment discussions in the state.
Their participation brought community experiences and youth priorities into conversations with institutions working across government, business, skills development, and development programming.
This engagement is important as climate policies and economic transitions increasingly shape the opportunities available to young people.
Meaningful youth participation requires more than inviting young people into conversations. It requires creating opportunities for them to contribute ideas, build relevant skills, and engage with decision-makers.
Supporting Youth Participation in a Greener Economy
The Enugu Youth Climate Action Forum forms part of ongoing work under SPA II to support young people to build resilience, participate in decision-making, and contribute to greener and more inclusive communities.
By connecting young people with stakeholders across the green economy, the forum created a practical space for knowledge exchange, skills exploration, and career development.
For SSDO, this work reflects a broader approach to youth engagement that connects participation with practical opportunities and community-level action.
As Enugu responds to the changing climate and the opportunities emerging from the green economy, young people have an important role in shaping the transition and contributing to more resilient communities.