The Climate Action Network South Africa (SACAN), Global Shapers: Tshwane Hub, the South African Youth Climate Change Coalition, and the Global Shapers Johannesburg Hub in partnership with the African Leadership Academy, the African Climate Reality Project and Greenpeace Africa hosted the Local Conferences of Youth (LCOY) South Africa, 2023. LCOY South Africa 2023 aimed to advance climate action and youth participation in South Africa. The program consisted of three interconnected objectives: first, the development of principles for youth engagement in climate policy through a youth-led approach; second, the implementation of LCOY South Africa 2023 as a capacity-building initiative for youth; and third, the creation of a platform for youth networking, knowledge sharing, and collaboration. By fostering inclusive youth involvement, providing critical skills and knowledge, and building robust networks, this initiative sought to empower South African youth to drive meaningful change in climate action and policy at the regional and global levels. LCOY South Africa through a consultative collaborative process including a webinar, established principles for youth engagement in climate policy. A webinar was held to begin this process and a in-person engagement took place at the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in October. 

Goal:

The principles developed by LCOY South Africa have been submitted to YOUNGO for the COY18 Global Youth Statement. Additionally, it is intended for these principles and the final LCOY SA 2023 report to be communicated to representatives of the South African government ahead of COP28.