The deadline to apply for a grant from the Youth Climate Project is 30 April. LWF invites youth from across the communion to submit their proposals for small-scale climate justice projects.
LWF is calling for local Youth Engagement for Climate Justice. Photo: Tim Wagner/ Flickr
Deadline for applications is 30 April
(LWI) - “I remembered we were facing water shortages due to hotter weather and the lack of rain.” says Vivien Fanomezantsoa, a project grantee from Madagascar studying at the seminary known as SALT. “It was clearly the tragic result of the destruction of forests and pollution. The support from this project allowed us to take action”
The Youth Climate Projects’ call for proposals, issued by the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) is open until 30 April, and invites young people to lead the way in addressing climate change issues. The project grant is available to all LWF member churches and provides a platform for young people to pioneer innovative and contextually relevant projects. The invitation emphasizes the importance of acting on the climate crisis and encourages youth to join the LWF's global movement for environmental justice.
“With this project, the LWF hopes to empower young people to take meaningful action and to bring about positive change as part of the global effort to address climate change” says Elena Cedillo, the LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice. “It is an opportunity for young people to make a difference and inspire others to do the same. This is an exciting and invaluable opportunity for the youth of the LWF to create real change and make an impact on the global climate crisis.”
It is an opportunity for young people to make a difference and inspire others to do the same. This is an exciting and invaluable opportunity for the youth of the LWF to create real change and make an impact on the global climate crisis.
– Elena Cedillo, LWF Program Executive for Climate Justice
Youth have been at the forefront of the climate justice advocacy within the Lutheran Communion.
“I can see the suffering that climate change has caused” says Erick Kapira, a project grantee from Tanzania. “This is why I encourage youth like myself to participate in environmental conservation. I’m a strong believer that today we can act for a better tomorrow.”
“My project was focused on the election period where a lot of waste accumulates. The waste was mainly tarpaulined” says Genuine Joe B. Abnasan, a young grantee from the Philippines. “We partnered with a Biblical vocational school that had both a theological curriculum and life skills training. The project helped them turn the tarps into bags, aprons, laundry bags, pencil cases and other useful reusable items. We planted the seed for them to actively be part of the solution.”
Each project emphasizes the importance of taking care of the environment, addressing issues related to climate change and promoting public engagement on carbon neutrality. Young people have shown remarkable resilience and determination to make a difference in the world. Joe shares a word of encouragement to applicants saying, “the scale of the problem is big. So, remember to think big. Your creativity could be the spark that starts an impactful project.”
