Grow the next generation of climate leaders.
GYCAF connects young climate activists in frontline communities with experienced practitioners, scientists, and policy advocates — building the skills, networks, and confidence to lead the solutions our planet needs.
Active pairs this cohort
Climate action needs more voices from the frontlines.
The communities most affected by climate change are often least represented in the rooms where decisions are made. GYCAF’s Mentorship Program invests directly in young leaders from Sub-Saharan Africa, South and Southeast Asia, Latin America, the Pacific Islands, and beyond.
Our mentors are practitioners, scientists, advocates, and organizers committed to opening doors for the generation coming behind them.
“The knowledge exists. The passion exists. What young climate leaders need is access — to networks, to expertise, to people who believe in them enough to invest their time.”
GYCAF Program Philosophy — Est. COP25How it works
A 12-month structured journey built around real goals, real relationships, and real access to the global climate movement.
Complete our goals assessment. We carefully match each mentee with 1–2 mentors based on expertise, region, and focus area.
Co-develop a personalized mentorship plan with 3-month milestones and a full 12-month growth roadmap.
Meet monthly via video call. Access peer cohort discussions, resource library, and multilingual skill-building workshops.
Present your project at our annual summit. Top projects receive priority GYCAF grant consideration.
Built for access. Designed for impact.
Every mentee receives more than guidance — the infrastructure to act.
Monthly sessions with a practitioner in climate policy, renewable energy, environmental law, finance, or organizing.
Devices, internet, and travel support — removing financial barriers that keep talent on the sidelines.
Join 50+ young climate leaders across 18+ countries. Peer relationships matter as much as mentor ones.
Climate finance, media, advocacy, grant writing, and public speaking — offered in multiple languages.
Select mentees receive support to attend COP and GYCAF’s Annual Climate Youth Summit.
Program graduates gain priority access to GYCAF grant rounds — your mentorship project becomes your first funded initiative.
Who can apply?
We welcome applications from young climate leaders, experienced practitioners, and mission-aligned partners.
- Aged 18–30, based in a frontline or Global South community
- Working on or committed to climate action in your community
- Part of a youth-led climate organization or initiative
- Able to commit to 12 months of structured engagement
- Applications in English, French, Spanish & Swahili
- 5+ years in a climate-relevant field (policy, science, finance, law, comms)
- Committed to supporting frontline youth leaders
- 2–3 hours per month for 12 months
- Comfortable with virtual sessions across time zones
- No prior mentorship experience required — we train you
- Co-investment opportunities — co-fund youth climate projects alongside GYCAF’s grant portfolio
- Co-programming opportunities — design and deliver joint initiatives with our mentee cohort
- Brand visibility — featured across GYCAF’s global platforms and events
- ESG alignment — credible, measurable impact for sustainability reporting
- Youth climate network access — 50+ mentors and mentees across 18 countries
- Impact reporting — annual verified outcomes and data
Frontline regions, first.
We prioritize mentees from communities disproportionately impacted by climate change — those who have contributed least but face its sharpest consequences.
What our community says
Through GYCAF’s mentorship, I learned to speak the language of climate finance — which helped me secure our first $40,000 grant for renewable energy microgrids in rural Uganda.
My mentor opened doors I didn’t know existed. I went from a local activist to presenting at COP28 alongside NGO leaders I used to only watch on YouTube.
I signed up expecting career advice. What I got was a community, a collaborator, and the confidence to launch my own climate comms organization in Dakar.
The climate crisis won’t wait.
Neither should you.
Applications for Cohort 3 are now open. Spots are limited — we accept a maximum of 75 mentees per cohort to ensure every participant receives meaningful, personalized support.
