YOUNGO LENS | 1st Cohort (Learning, Equity, Negotiation & Solutions) Supported by UNICEF
Applications are open for the first cohort of YOUNGO LENS (Learning, Equity, Negotiation & Solutions), a new learning-to-action initiative led by 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.
LENS is designed to strengthen young people’s understanding of Loss and Damage while creating pathways to meaningfully engage in policy, advocacy and global climate processes.
LENS is also intended to grow beyond a single cohort—building a connected community of young people who can continue learning, contributing and taking their experience back to their own contexts.
Eligibility Criteria
This programme is open to applicants from all regions and nationalities who meet the following criteria:
- Aged 18–35 years
- Passionate about or actively engaged in climate justice, Loss and Damage, adaptation, resilience, disaster response, human rights, policy advocacy, research, or community action
- Interested in deepening their engagement with Loss and Damage processes, climate policy, advocacy or community-based action
- Able to commit approximately 3–4 hours per week during the programme period
- Have conversational proficiency in English, as LENS will be conducted in English
- Have access to reliable internet to participate in online sessions and activities
- Prior engagement with climate, policy, advocacy, research, humanitarian, development or justice-related work is preferred but not mandatory
- Build a stronger understanding of Loss and Damage, its governance and its climate justice dimensions
- Explore key areas of the Loss and Damage landscape, including the WIM, Santiago Network and FRLD
- Strengthen their understanding of science, evidence, economic and non-economic losses, and community perspectives
- Develop practical understanding of youth engagement, policy processes, advocacy and negotiations
- Learn from and interact with experts, negotiators, researchers, practitioners and youth leaders
- Connect learning with opportunities to contribute to children & youth policy and advocacy processes
- Develop ideas for applying their learning in their national, local or community contexts
- Become part of a growing LENS community and wider youth network on Loss and Damage.
Programme Timeline
Application Deadline: September 29, 2026
Selection Results: October 1st week
Programme Period: October – November, 2026
Format: Interactive online sessions, discussions, learning resources, reflection and collaborative activities, with opportunities to connect learning with ongoing policy and advocacy processes.
METHOD OF APPLICATION
Interested Youth want join YOUNGO LENS should apply through link below.
CLICK HERE TO APPLY
Important Application Note
Applicants are expected to submit responses that reflect their own experiences, motivations, perspectives and reflections.
YOUNGO states that AI-generated answers will not be accepted and may lead to disqualification. Applicants should therefore ensure that their application responses genuinely represent their own voice and experiences.
Don’t miss out on the application deadline which is 23 September 2026 at 11:59 PM UTC.
