2024 LOCAL CONFERENCE OF YOUTH

The 2024 Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) in Eswatini was successfully held at Esibayeni Lodge from September 27-28, bringing together a diverse group of young people and marginalised communities to engage in meaningful discussions about climate action. This annual event, aligned with the global mission of YOUNGO—the official youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), served as a crucial platform for youth voices to be heard in the lead-up to COP29.
Organised by the Eswatini Climate Change Youth Parliament (CCYP) and supported by the Ministry of Tourism and Environmental Affairs (MTEA), the conference offered the youth a unique opportunity to share their perspectives and solutions on critical environmental challenges facing Eswatini. Other partners that made this conference a success include UNICEF Eswatini, Joint River Basin Authorities -  Project Board and World Vision Eswatini.

Key highlights from LCOY 2024

The two-day event was filled with dynamic panel discussions, expert presentations, and collaborative brainstorming sessions that allowed participants to tackle pressing issues like the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus, climate finance, and youth-driven environmental innovation. Day one had a panel discussion featuring young experts from various sectors, including water, energy, and food, who explored the WEF Nexus. This session shed light on how integrated approaches across these sectors can contribute to reducing Eswatini’s carbon footprint and strengthening climate resilience. It was a powerful reminder that interconnected solutions are key to addressing the complex environmental challenges we face. Another standout session was a presentation by Mr. Payday Langwenya from the Eswatini Environment Fund, who spoke on climate finance and the funding opportunities available to young people working on environmental projects. His insights underscored the importance of accessible funding in empowering youth to implement their climate solutions.

World Vision and UNICEF Eswatini delivered equally inspiring presentations, focusing on how international organisations are supporting local climate adaptation initiatives. Meanwhile, EswatiniBank emphasised the role of financial institutions in fostering sustainability through eco-friendly investments and green finance options. The Director of Meteorology closed the day by encouraging the youth to stay resilient and committed in their fight against climate change. She emphasised the importance of collaboration, urging the young participants to continue forming alliances with key stakeholders to amplify their impact. Her message was clear: A united and determined front is the best way for young people to make their mark and influence climate policy.

Lessons learnt at LCOY Eswatini 2024

Firstly, one of the recurring themes throughout the event was the importance of collaboration. As we face the daunting challenges of climate change, no single organisation or sector can do it alone. Young people, government agencies, private companies, and international organisations must work together to create lasting solutions. The partnerships formed at LCOY Eswatini 2024, demonstrate the potential of cross-sectoral collaboration in driving impactful climate action. Secondly, young people are not just beneficiaries of climate solutions—they are also the leaders driving change. From the passionate speakers who shared their experiences to the dedicated participants who contributed ideas during panel discussions, it is clear that Eswatini’s youth are ready to lead. However, for this leadership to be effective, it is critical that young people unite, pool their resources, and continue advocating for a seat at the decision-making table. Only through collective action can the youth voices be amplified and recognised in policy-making processes.

Thirdly, the availability of climate finance emerged as a key factor in enabling youth-led climate projects to thrive. Mr. Langwenya’s presentation from the Eswatini Environment Fund highlighted several funding streams that young people can tap into. However, access to these funds remains a challenge for many. As such, there is a growing need for more accessible and transparent funding mechanisms that can support youth initiatives at both local and national levels.

Moving Forward

As we reflect on the success of LCOY Eswatini 2024, it is clear that this event was more than just a conference, it was a movement. The discussions, presentations, and collaborations that took place over the two days have laid the groundwork for even more impactful climate action in Eswatini. The Eswatini Climate Change Youth Parliament will now take the feedback gathered from this event and use it to shape the youth position paper, also known as the youth statement that will feed into the global youth position paper, which will be presented at COP29. This feedback will also be added to our white paper on Youth Climate Action which will be presented to relevant stakeholders at the end of our term at CCYP.
A huge thank you to our organising partners, and all our implementing partners, for their tireless efforts in making LCOY Eswatini 2024 possible. This event has proven that when young people are empowered with the right tools, knowledge, and resources, they can drive meaningful change, not only in Eswatini but on the global stage as well. As we move forward, we encourage all young people to stay engaged, collaborate, and continue pushing for climate justice. Together, we can restore our land and renew our future.

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