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Commonwealth Report: Young People Are Unable to Adequately Access Funds Needed to Tackle Climate Change
Commonwealth Report: Young People Are Unable to Adequately Access Funds Needed to Tackle Climate Change
Young people, who are among those most at risk to the impacts of climate change, are not accessing the funds they need to tackle the challenges posed by global warming, according to a report.
The joint report published on 9 December by the Commonwealth Secretariat and YOUNGO, the children and youth constituency of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), analysed 100 climate finance initiatives targeted at young people.
While it showed an increase in youth-focused climate finance, funds are mainly disbursed in small amounts, hindering large-scale youth-led climate action.
In addition, the audit information provided by funders lacked full transparency, especially about beneficiaries and what projects were funded.
In response, the report calls for a fit-for-purpose approach to deploying climate finance for youth-led actions to remove existing barriers and ensure young people receive a fair share of support.
The proposed solutions include targeted reporting, a streamlined process for accessing funds with a focus on clear eligibility criteria, increased private sector support and new innovative financing sources.
According to a statement on Monday by the Commonwealth Secretariat, Climate finance, a core part of the Paris Agreement, is provided to help developing countries cut greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
The report was launched at a side event, ‘Empowering Youth Leadership: Experiences from the Commonwealth in Access to Climate Finance, Capacity Building and Technology’ – hosted by the Commonwealth Secretariat in partnership with the governments of Fiji and Zambia on 9 December 2023 during the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28).
Speaking at the event, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, the Rt Hon Patricia Scotland KC, said: “Young people, who make up 60 per cent of Commonwealth citizens, are on the frontline of the climate crisis, living mostly in areas prone to extreme weather events.
“As a result, many are facing job losses, displacement, health issues and educational setbacks. In the face of adversity, the resilience of young people shines through as they harness their drive and talent to lead on powerful climate solutions.”
She added: “This report reveals the dire need to scale up financial support for young people and prevent them from being stuck in the vicious cycle of chasing funds. We must work together with young people to address the barriers they face in accessing climate finance and support them in scaling contributions to meeting climate targets. This is essential to our belief that youth-led action is integral to our pursuit for a sustainable future for all.”
During the event, participants shared their experiences on accessing climate finance, upskilling and leveraging technology to empower youth-led efforts in tackling the challenges posed by climate change, while examining ways to maximise existing opportunities.
By: Michael Mike
Zambia’s Minister of Green Economy and Environment, Collins Nzovu said: “The future belongs to the children, and we should do everything possible to ensure we leave a liveable climate for them. We realise we need to pass the baton of leadership to the youth. We are increasing our support to the youth to take leadership which demonstrates our unwavering support for the Commonwealth Year of the Youth.”
He urged youth to use their energy, presence, connections and innovation to drive the change needed to save the planet.
In his remarks, Naipote Tako Katonitabua, Fiji’s Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates, said: “The world is facing unprecedented impacts of climate change the global stocktake has shown us how far behind we are in our climate ambitions.”
“We need dramatic actions to benefit our climate and we need them now,” adding that: “Youth inclusion at all levels in climate action including at political level is necessary to ensure the sustainability of our efforts.”
Research Director at YOUNGO’s Finance and Markets Working Group, Sheen Tyagi said: “The seeds of environmental resilience are sown in the passion and innovation of youth. Investing in youth-led climate projects is not just an investment in the future; it’s a commitment to safeguarding our planet.”
She added that: “Climate finance directed towards our projects is the imperative bridge between aspirations and actionable change. The currency of change lies in climate finance for the youth, and to ensure a sustainable tomorrow, we need the unwavering support of governments, institutions, the private sector, communities, and every individual.”
During the event, Senior Director at the Commonwealth Secretariat’s Economic Youth and Sustainable Development, Dr Ruth Kattumuri announced this year’s winners of the Commonwealth Sustainable Energy Transition Award.
Bangladesh’s Areebah Armin Ahsan and Pakistan’s Sarah Shahbaz Khan received awards for their outstanding short stories: ‘Tragedy to Triumph: Biogas in Daria Nagar’ and ‘Mud-coated Walls and Sandy Dunes’, respectively.
In the category of the best technical solution, Uganda’s Michael Okao, Darius Ogwang and Joshua Elem were recognised for their solar concentrator that harnesses renewable energy for clean cooking.
Nigeria’s Michael Chiangi Gbagir won the best educators award for his initiative ‘EcoPower Adventure’, which engages different communities through interactive learning activities, such as energy scavenger hunts.
According to the statement by the Commonwealth Secretariat, The ‘Availability of Climate Finance for Youth’ report will inform the Commonwealth Secretariat’s ongoing work, especially its Commonwealth Climate Finance Access Hub, which has supported small and vulnerable countries to access about $322 million of climate finance for projects to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Commonwealth Report: Young People Are Unable to Adequately Access Funds Needed to Tackle Climate Change
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
By: Michael Mike
The European Union has pledged €22 million in grant funding to support Nigeria’s large-scale fibre-optic expansion, reinforcing the Federal Government’s drive to transform the country’s digital backbone.
The grant, announced in Abuja on Wednesday, will be channelled through the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and on-granted to the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy for implementation of the government’s Project BRIDGE initiative.
The EU funding will sit alongside an €86 million loan from the EBRD’s own resources, pending final approval. The operation represents the EBRD’s first major sovereign financing in Nigeria since the country formally became a shareholder of the bank last year.
Minister of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Bosun Tijjani described the agreement as a decisive step toward delivering the BRIDGE project within schedule, noting that Nigeria’s digital transformation agenda depends heavily on robust and inclusive broadband infrastructure.
He said the partnership reflects growing confidence in Nigeria’s digital roadmap and expressed optimism that 2026 would mark a year of tangible progress in cooperation between Nigeria and the EU.
EBRD President, Odile Renaud-Basso, who is on an official visit to Nigeria, said the bank was proud to collaborate with the EU to expand digital infrastructure in Africa’s largest economy. She noted that the technical cooperation embedded in the financing is structured to crowd in private capital while ensuring secure, resilient and inclusive connectivity.
EU Ambassador to Nigeria, Gautier Mignot, underscored the strategic importance of digital networks to both Nigeria and the EU, stressing the need for trusted, high-integrity infrastructure built to international standards.
Project BRIDGE aims to deploy 90,000 kilometres of fibre-optic cables nationwide through a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) that will be capitalised with sovereign loans and private sector participation. In addition to the EBRD financing, the Federal Government is expected to receive support from the World Bank and the African Development Bank.
The EU’s €22 million package combines technical assistance with investment support to speed up project preparation and strengthen implementation capacity. It will fund low-level design work for about 40,000 kilometres of the planned network, including route mapping, crossing surveys, digital planning, quality assurance and security risk assessments aligned with global best practices.
Officials said this groundwork would provide the SPV with a ready-to-execute blueprint, enabling immediate rollout once financing arrangements are finalised and the vehicle is established with at least 51 per cent private sector ownership.
Beyond infrastructure, the grant is expected to deepen Nigeria’s digital skills base. About 2,000 technicians will receive specialised training, while small subcontractors will gain access to pooled procurement systems and equipment subsidies designed to reduce entry barriers.
Authorities estimate that these measures could lower deployment costs by between 20 and 30 per cent, while promoting adherence to Nigerian and EU quality standards and encouraging participation of European technology suppliers in the fibre supply chain.
The intervention forms part of the EU’s broader Global Gateway strategy, which supports investments in digital infrastructure, public services and human capital development across partner countries.
For Nigeria, the partnership signals renewed international backing for its ambition to build a resilient, open-access broadband network capable of driving economic growth, innovation and digital inclusion nationwide.
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have repelled suspected insurgents and neutralised a suspected informant during operations in Ngamdu area of Borno.
Military sources said the action followed signals intelligence indicating that suspected Boko Haram elements were massing.
At about 2:30 a.m. on Feb. 18, troops carried out a fire mission on the identified area, forcing the insurgents to disperse and abort their suspected plan.
Shortly afterward, at about 3:45 a.m., troops engaged and neutralised a suspected insurgent informant who attempted to breach the trench defensive position in Ngamdu.
Sources said the troops immediately conducted a search of the surrounding area after the encounter but made no further contact with fleeing suspects.
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Hadin Kai have disrupted a suspected terrorist gathering and arrested five suspected arms smugglers during separate operations in Yobe State.
Security sources said that at about 6:21 p.m. on Feb. 17, troops conducted a fire mission following credible intelligence that terrorists were converging in large numbers on motorcycles at Mangari, about 10.6 kilometres from the location of the 135 Special Forces Battalion in Buratai.
The swift action forced the insurgents to disperse in disarray, effectively disrupting their suspected plans.
In a separate development, troops of the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Potiskum apprehended five suspected arms smugglers and abductors at about 4:30 a.m. on Feb. 18 at a checkpoint along the Gombe–Potiskum road.
Those arrested included a 41-year-old suspect, Baba Abare, who was found in possession of an AK-47 rifle, alongside four others identified as Idris Zakari, 33; Nasiru Aliyu, 25; Abdullahi Sulaiman, 35; and Mohammed Idris, 34, all said to be indigenes of Potiskum town.
The suspects were intercepted in two Golf Wagon vehicles bearing registration numbers Borno NGL-506XA and Kaduna DKD16-01.
They were disarmed and handed over to appropriate authorities for further investigation.
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
European Union Commits €22m to Accelerate Nigeria’s Fibre Network Under BRIDGE Project
Troops repel insurgents, neutralise suspected informant in Borno
Yobe: Troops Disperse Terrorists, Arrest Five Suspected Arms Smugglers
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