Youth and community-led climate action through the Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa project

This case study describes the 'Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa' (SA Climate Change Champions) project, which aimed to empower youth, women, and communities in the Eastern, Northern, and Western Cape to engage with the renewable energy sector and climate policy. Co-funded by the European Union and delivered by GreenCape, the project established climate clubs, facilitated policy dialogues, and provided capacity building to ensure inclusive participation in South Africa's energy transition.

• The project established nine active climate clubs across three provinces, reaching 422 high school learners through 23 workshops. These clubs led 12 awareness-raising campaigns, submitted 85 entries into Renewable Energy and Green Opportunities competitions, and organized 11 field trips to nature reserves and renewable energy projects.
• The initiative integrated communities and youth into national and provincial policy processes. This included six community-led climate policy dialogues and six renewable energy policy interactions with provincial premiers. Over 50 formal signatories were recorded on submissions to the National Climate Change Bill, the Just Energy Transition Investment Plan (JET IP), and the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan (SAREM).
• Capacity building efforts included over 20 training-of-trainers (ToT) and workshops for more than 500 participants, including teachers, learners, CBOs, and CSOs. Women represented over 60% of ToT participation and over 50% of all engagements. Training materials were produced in English and Afrikaans, and 80% of participants demonstrated increased knowledge in pre/post tests.
• The project utilized media and digital platforms to increase visibility, producing 48 media outputs and a short documentary with the EU Film Commission. Youth were connected to six global climate networks and used platforms such as TikTok, Spotify, and WhatsApp to amplify their voices.
• An independent evaluation based on Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development-Development Assistance Committee criteria rated the project as highly effective. The evaluation noted evidence of local ownership and sustained impact, with CSOs and climate clubs continuing activities after the funding period ended.

APA

tyrese (2025). Youth and community-led climate action through the Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa project. GreenCape. https://greencape.co.za/community-led-climate-action-for-a-just-transition-in-south-africa/

Chicago

tyrese. Youth and community-led climate action through the Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa project. GreenCape, 2025. https://greencape.co.za/community-led-climate-action-for-a-just-transition-in-south-africa/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=tyrese |title=Youth and community-led climate action through the Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa project |publisher=GreenCape |date=22 July 2025 |url=https://greencape.co.za/community-led-climate-action-for-a-just-transition-in-south-africa/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{tyrese2025youth, author = {tyrese}, title = {{Youth and community-led climate action through the Climate Change Citizenship for a Just Transition in South Africa project}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2025}, month = jul, url = {https://greencape.co.za/community-led-climate-action-for-a-just-transition-in-south-africa/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }