- 1 octobre 2025
- Envoyé par : Godwin TADOUDJE
- Catégorie : BLOG, Kenya, YECJS Project
New Report Highlights Barriers to Youth Accessing Climate Justice in Bungoma
The Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (YILAA) has launched a baseline assessment report highlighting the barriers hindering youth access to climate justice in Bungoma, Kenya. The report, based on a survey of 385 youth in Cheptais, Mt. Elgon, and Webuye East Sub-Counties, also sheds light on their levels of awareness and participation in climate-related issues.
The assessment was conducted under YILAA’s Youth Empowerment for Climate Justice and Sustainability (YECJS) project, funded by the Youth Climate Justice Fund. Serving as a scorecard, the baseline tracks existing gaps, progress, and youth involvement in advancing the climate agenda.
Bungoma’s economy is largely driven by agriculture. However, challenges such as climate change continue to undermine efforts to grow the sector. YILAA recognizes the critical role of young people in lobbying, influencing processes, and shaping narratives around climate change, using advocacy and land rights as primary entry points for raising awareness. It is against this backdrop that the organization sought to identify the main barriers youth face in their pursuit of climate justice.
The key findings from the assessment are expected to guide the implementation of the YECJS project, which aims to address the obstacles preventing youth from accessing climate justice.
According to respondents, climate change in Bungoma County is most evident through floods, drought, and soil erosion. While many youth lack awareness of climate justice, their participation in climate action is moderate. Some are already involved in campaigns, seminars, social media advocacy, and community efforts such as constructing gabions and organizing regular clean-up exercises.
Despite these challenges, opportunities for youth engagement exist, with both government and non-government actors supporting various interventions. However, access to these opportunities remains uneven. In Cheptais Sub-County, for instance, there is no youth-led initiative, an indication of gaps in resource and information flow.
Read the full baseline report for a detailed understanding of the current context and findings, which will inform the next phase of the YECJS project.
