Rising Together: The Journey of the Climate Leadership Initiative

Written by
Prakriti Koirala
Published on
January 24, 2025
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Olivier Ishimwe from Rwanda (Mentor) and Kevin Polo from Panama (Mentee) 

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In the fight against climate change, one thing is clear: the voices of those most affected by its impacts must be at the heart of the solutions. Yet, for years, global climate negotiations have been dominated by representatives of wealthier nations, often sidelining the perspectives of those on the frontlines of this crisis. 

That’s where a dynamic platform dedicated to empowering young leaders from the Global South, the Climate Leadership Initiative (CLI) comes in to take their rightful place at the decision-making table. 

How It All Began 

CLI was established in 2017, but the story of its New Generation Program began at COP25 in Madrid in 2019. That’s when Dr. Erin Roberts, a passionate climate advocate, met five young negotiators from Rwanda, Ethiopia, Timor-Leste, and Burkina Faso. These were not just any delegates from Least Developed Countries (LDCs) - they were trailblazers, deeply committed to fighting for their communities. Together, they founded the New Generation, a group focused on addressing the urgent issue of Loss and Damage. 

What started as a small, hopeful collaboration quickly turned into something much bigger. Erin’s belief in the power of youth leadership sparked a movement, leading to the creation of the New Generation Program. Today, the New Generation Program becomes CLI’s flagship initiative that equip young climate negotiators from the Global South with the tools, knowledge, and confidence to navigate the complex world of international negotiations and push for fair, just solutions. 

 

A Journey of Growth Since 2019 

The evolution of CLI over the years has been nothing short of extraordinary: 

  • 2019: Five trailblazing negotiators brought the LDC perspective to the global stage, setting the foundation for what was to come.  
  • 2021: The first cohort of the New Generation Program debuted, welcoming 14 brilliant young climate leaders from Rwanda, Nepal, Malawi, Timor-Leste, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Vanuatu, and Guinea, as part of the support centre to negotiators from developing countries under the Loss and Damage Collaboration with funding from Bread for the World, the Climate Emergency Collaboration Group and the Heinrich  Böll Foundation, Washington, DC.  
  • 2023: CLI expanded, welcoming a second cohort of six negotiators from Argentina, the Dominican Republic, Fiji, Malaysia, Tunisia, and Uganda, with a sharp focus on the Loss and Damage agenda in partnership with the Loss and Damage Collaboration with support from Bread for the World and Oxfam Great Britain 
  • 2024: The third cohort, launched with support from the Climate Ambition Support Alliance  and Oxfam Great Britain , marked a new milestone. This cohort brought together eight fellows, two fellows nominated by each key negotiation group: Least Developed Countries (LDC) Group, Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS), Independent Alliance of Latin America and the Caribbean (AILAC), and African Group of Negotiators (AGN). This cohort represents a truly global spectrum of experiences, with fellows from South Sudan, Guinea, Burundi, Kenya, Samoa, Peru, the Commonwealth of Dominica, and Panama.  

 

The fellows from all the cohorts have actively engaged not only in COPs but also in meetings of the Subsidiary Bodies, LDC strategy discussions, regional workshops, and other key events. 

 

Mentorship: The Beating Heart of CLI 

At the core of CLI’s success lies its mentorship program, a defining feature that pairs fellows with experienced climate negotiators. 

Mentorship is a two-way street, enhancing collaboration and shared growth. Alumni from previous cohorts and senior negotiators guide new fellows through the complexities of the international climate negotiation process. This began in the first cohort and flourished at COP29, with mentorship provided by alumni from the first-cohort, such as Olivier Ishimwe and Adeline Cyuzuzo returning as mentors. 

Picture: Olivier Ishimwe from Rwanda (Mentor) and Kevin Polo from Panama (Mentee), COP29, 2024

Mentorship sharpens our own perspectives while ensuring the next generation is ready to lead.”- Olivier Ishimwe, First Cohort Fellow from Rwanda. 

 

Picture: Asara Bullen from South Sudan (Mentee) and Brenda Mwale from Malawi (Mentor), COP29, 2024

The program isn’t just about professional growth but it’s deeply personal. Asara from South Sudan shared: “Being at COP29 was both challenging and inspiring. The mentorship I received has been invaluable. It’s helped me understand my role in negotiations and has fueled my ambition to one day become South Sudan’s lead climate negotiator.” 

Journey of Growth and Transformation  

For many fellows, the negotiation process was more than a negotiation, it was a transformative journey. Innocent Ndayisaba from Burundi attended his first Conference of the Parties (COP) in COP29 and found it eye-opening, saying,: 

This experience has motivated me to enhance my skills, especially as a French speaker, and to contribute to future climate negotiations.” 

Jodie Jodian Luke from the Commonwealth of Dominica reflected on how much she learned about international climate diplomacy, calling it “a crash course in advocacy and resilience.” 

Brenda Mwale from Malawi, a distinguished alumna of the program from the first cohort, now serves as the Climate Diplomacy Advisor supporting the LDC Chair, playing an important role in amplifying the voices of the Least Developed Countries. Meanwhile, her fellow Malawian, Yamikani Idriss, is leading negotiations on transparency on behalf of the LDCs, ensuring inclusivity and equitable representation in this critical area of climate diplomacy. 

Picture: Yamikani Idriss giving intervention on behalf of Malawi. COP29, 2024

Among the alumni is Honorine Isingizwe, a member of the first cohort, who has come full circle bynow serving as the coordinator for the third cohort. Her journey from fellow to coordinator underscores CLI's commitment to building a sustainable and intergenerational leadership model. This transition not only highlights CLI’s emphasis on empowering youth but also demonstrates how alumni can take on pivotal roles to support the next generation of climate leaders. 

Similarly, Justina Aurea Belo, a founding member of the New Generation Program and coordinator of the second cohort, has transformed her experience at COP into a meaningful action at the local level.  Through her mentorship the Timor-Leste's LCOY 2024 of the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Timor-Leste 2024, Justina has delivered workshops on Loss and Damage, shared her insights as young negotiator at COP, and guided delegates in drafting their youth statement, which was submitted to YOUNGO.  

This reflects CLI’s mission to inspire alumni to take their learning and leadership beyond the global stage which create tangible impacts in their home countries and beyond. 

  

Partnerships That Fuel the Mission 

CLI’s success wouldn’t be possible without the support of its partners. The Climate Ambition Support Alliance and Oxfam Great Britain were instrumental in launching the third cohort, while organizations like United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the Heinrich Böll Foundation, Washington, DC provided critical support for COP29 participation. 

These partnerships not only offer financial resources but also create invaluable opportunities for fellows to engage with global networks and decision-makers. The Climate Leadership Initiative is also very grateful to the experts who have generously shared their knowledge and guidance during coaching calls, workshops, and other events. Their support has been instrumental in helping the fellows confidently navigate the complexities of climate negotiations. 

Looking Ahead: A Legacy in the Making 

From its beginnings at COP25 to the milestone moments at COP29, CLI’s journey is a testament to the power of youth leadership. Fellows from across the Global South are no longer just participants- they are trailblazers shaping the future of global climate negotiations. 

As CLI continues to evolve, one thing remains clear: empowering youth is not just an investment in the future but it’s an urgent necessity for today. The fellows have not only attended COPs but also meetings of subsidiary bodies, LDC Strategy Meetings, Trainings, and Workshops. Through mentorship, capacity-building, workshops, coaching calls, and partnerships, CLI is preparing the next generation of climate leaders from the Global South to rise to the challenge and create a more equitable, sustainable world. 

Together, we rise.