CFAs: Environmental Youth Activism Training Program 2024

This program is in partnership with IHE Delft Institute for Water Education, with funding from JRS Biodiversity Foundation and IHE Delft’s Water and Development Partnership Programme and will be running for its second cohort this year,2024. The activists program seeks to enhance science communication among youth activists by equipping them with skills to effectively communicate and amplify stories around critical water issues. This includes addressing the widespread contamination that affects lakes, rivers, oceans, and groundwater, leading to the severe degradation of aquatic ecosystems and exacerbating water scarcity. The result is not only the destruction of vital aquatic habitats but also the increased difficulty in accessing clean and safe water, which is crucial for both human survival and environmental health.

The training webinar series will introduce the concept of science communication, its importance and different methods of communicating scientific information. It will equip youth activists with essential skills in science communication, focusing on crafting impactful messages and utilizing digital tools to amplify water-related issues. Participants will learn how to effectively engage their audience, build media relationships and plan strategic campaigns to raise awareness and drive action.

After the training webinar, activists will be required to submit initial pitch proposals for their water-related campaign ideas. The proposal will capture how they will collaborate with an InfoNile journalist to amplify a particular water story. Outstanding campaigns based on their potential impact, innovation and alignment with the program’s objectives will be supported with small grants and mentorship to produce campaigns around the journalists’ stories.

Geographical Focus 

• InfoNile invites applications from youth activists from the Nile Basin countries: Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia, Egypt, South Sudan and Sudan for their activists training program.

Eligibility Criteria

• The Activist training program is open to all youth activists in the Nile Basin countries, with a special focus on activists interested in addressing water issues.
• Applicants must have access to the internet or a smartphone, be proficient in reading, writing and speaking English.
• Applicants should be enthusiastic about engaging on social media, as the content produced from their campaigns will be shared and promoted across platforms. Active participation in pushing this content forward is essential.
• Candidates should be able to fully engage in all scheduled sessions and activities.

Selection Criteria 

• Applicants will be evaluated and selected against the following criteria:
  • Demonstrated a record of community mobilization and collaboration to mitigate water issues.
  • Commitment and preparedness to build a good relationship with community authorities and collaborate with stakeholders including journalists, researchers and policy makers.
  • Demonstrate commitment to collaborate with journalists to work and conduct water activism either within your local community or on a cross-border water challenge within the Nile Basin countries.

For more information, visit InfoNile.