Zambia Youth Climate Council
A youth-led platform for research, climate action, capacity building and meaningful participation in policy and decision-making.
The Zambia Youth Climate Council (ZYCC) is a council operating under Care for Nature Zambia. The Council brings together young researchers, environmental advocates, emerging professionals and young leaders to generate evidence, build capacity and strengthen the participation of young people in climate and environmental decision-making in Zambia.
We believe that young people should not simply be recipients of information or participants in consultations. They should have the knowledge, research skills, evidence and platforms necessary to contribute meaningfully to the conversations and decisions that shape their communities and their future.
Turning youth participation into meaningful action
Zambia faces complex challenges relating to climate change, environmental protection, natural resources, livelihoods and sustainable development. Addressing these challenges requires credible research, informed communities and young people who are equipped to participate in finding and implementing solutions.
The Zambia Youth Climate Council works at the intersection of research, youth development, climate action and policy engagement.
Through our work, we seek to strengthen the ability of young people to conduct research, understand evidence, communicate findings, participate in policy processes and contribute practical solutions to environmental and climate-related challenges.
Our areas of work
Research & Evidence
We conduct and support research across different sectors, with particular interest in climate change, environmental sustainability, natural resources, youth development and related development issues.
Our goal is to generate credible evidence that can help organisations, programmes and decision-makers understand challenges and identify practical solutions.
Research Consultancy
We offer research consultancy and technical support to organisations, institutions, projects and programmes.
Our support can include research design, development of research instruments, data collection, data management, quantitative and qualitative analysis, monitoring and evaluation, and research report development.
Youth Research Training
We provide training and capacity-building opportunities that introduce young people to research methods and practical research skills.
This includes research design, ethical data collection, qualitative and quantitative approaches, data analysis, interpretation, report writing and evidence-based advocacy.
Climate & Environmental Action
We promote youth participation in climate and environmental initiatives and encourage young people to move from awareness towards practical action.
We support approaches that connect environmental knowledge with community needs, innovation and sustainable solutions.
Policy Engagement
The Council provides a platform through which young people can contribute evidence, perspectives and recommendations to discussions around climate change, environmental protection and sustainable development.
We believe youth participation should be meaningful and informed by evidence.
Mentorship & Capacity Building
We invest in developing the next generation of researchers, environmental leaders and change-makers.
Through mentorship and training, young people are encouraged to develop their research abilities, critical thinking, leadership and confidence to participate in environmental and climate initiatives.
Mentoring the next generation
The Zambia Youth Climate Council is also part of the Environmentors Zambia Chapter, contributing to initiatives that mentor children and young people in environmental research and learning.
Through this work, children and young people are encouraged to explore the environmental issues around them, ask questions, investigate problems, collect information and develop evidence-based understanding of their communities.
The mentorship approach is designed to introduce young people to research from an early stage while developing important skills such as critical thinking, observation, communication, problem-solving and environmental awareness.
Discover
Encourage young people to identify environmental challenges and ask meaningful questions about the world around them.
Research
Introduce learners to basic research approaches, evidence gathering and responsible investigation.
Lead
Build confidence and leadership so young people can communicate their findings and contribute to positive change.
Creating space for young voices in decision-making
Young people are directly affected by many of the environmental, climate and development decisions being made today. Their participation therefore needs to extend beyond simply being consulted.
The Zambia Youth Climate Council participates in policy discussions and decision-making processes by promoting youth perspectives, research and evidence.
We seek to help young people understand policy processes and develop the ability to communicate their experiences, research findings and recommendations in ways that can contribute to constructive policy dialogue.
Our approach connects research with advocacy and decision-making, ensuring that evidence has an opportunity to move beyond the research report and contribute to real-world action.
Research consultancy and technical support
Organisations working on development, climate, environment, youth and community programmes can engage the Zambia Youth Climate Council for research and evidence-generation support.
Research Design
Research questions, methodologies, sampling approaches and development of appropriate research tools.
Field Research
Surveys, interviews, focus group discussions and other appropriate approaches to primary data collection.
Data Management
Structuring, reviewing, cleaning and preparing research datasets for analysis.
Quantitative Analysis
Statistical analysis and interpretation of quantitative research findings.
Qualitative Analysis
Coding, thematic analysis and interpretation of interviews, focus groups and other qualitative information.
Monitoring & Evaluation
Support for indicators, assessments, monitoring systems, evaluation activities and evidence-based reporting.
Technology supporting better research
To strengthen the way research is conducted and managed, the Zambia Youth Climate Council uses a digital research platform that supports teams throughout the research cycle.
The platform brings together questionnaire design, data collection, data management, quantitative and qualitative analysis, and monitoring and evaluation reporting in one environment.
This allows research teams to work from a shared dataset rather than relying on disconnected spreadsheets, paper forms and separate systems.
The platform is designed to support different research roles, including administrators, data collectors, statisticians and monitoring and evaluation officers.
Evidence. Youth. Action.
Evidence
We promote credible and useful research that can help communities, organisations and decision-makers understand the challenges they face.
Youth
We invest in young people by providing opportunities for research, learning, mentorship, leadership and participation.
Action
We seek to connect evidence with practical solutions, advocacy, climate action and policy engagement.
Let's build evidence for a better future.
Whether you need research consultancy, youth research training, data collection, monitoring and evaluation support or want to collaborate on climate and environmental initiatives, the Zambia Youth Climate Council provides a platform for meaningful engagement.