Application

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MARCH 30, 2026 @ 7:00 AM (GMT)

Eligibility

The African Youth Negotiators Fellowship (AYNF) is a transformative, pan-African capacity-building initiative designed to equip young climate leaders from across the continent with the technical knowledge, negotiation skills, and strategic confidence necessary to engage meaningfully in global climate governance processes, particularly within the UNFCCC system. Now in its 5th cohort, AYNF has evolved into a continental leadership program dedicated to building a strong, inclusive pipeline of African Youth Negotiators who shape climate policy at national, regional, and international levels.

This cohort of the fellowship, organized by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Ghana and Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), will be delivered in 3 distinct phases:

Phase 1: Applicants complete a required foundational online learning process through the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal, beginning with Climate Science 101, and upload a certificate of completion as part of the application process. Selected applicants may then be required to complete an additional course, quiz, or assignment as they proceed through the next stage of selection and onboarding.
Phase 2: An intensive one-week hybrid training in Ghana featuring advanced negotiation sessions, policy writing, simulations, and practical exercises. negotiation frameworks, the UNFCCC architecture, and regional policy intersections.
Phase 3: A deep-dive mentorship, thematic negotiation labs, policy brief development, and coordinated pre-, during-, and post-COP31 engagement activities.

The fellowship addresses the urgent need to elevate African youth voices in decision-making spaces by strengthening their technical preparedness, policy literacy, and leadership visibility in multilateral processes.

Mandatory Pre-Application Requirement

Before completing this application, all applicants must complete the Climate Science 101 course on the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal (GCLP) and obtain the certificate of completion. As part of this application, applicants must upload their Climate Science 101 certificate. You cannot complete this registration without the certificate from Climate Science 101.

Applicants who are shortlisted or progress to the next stage will receive instructions to complete an additional learning requirement before final onboarding into the cohort.

Eligibility Criteria

Be a citizen of an African country, aged 15–35
Demonstrate a strong passion for climate justice and diplomacy.
Have experience or interest in international and/or national climate policies.
Successfully complete at least 1 courses and obtain the corresponding certificates on the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal.
Be able to commit fully to all 3 phases of the training.
Proficiency in English (language of instruction)

Ghana Climate Literacy Portal (GCLP) guidelines

Visit www.gclportal.com on your phone or PC.
Click “Start Learning” to access the learning portal.
Sign up or log in to explore courses, reading materials, and quizzes.

Application Deadline: April 30, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. GMT

Note: This program is delivered in English only. Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

For enquiries, contact: aynf@greenafricayouth.org

Ready to apply?

General Eligibility

The African Youth Negotiators Fellowship (AYNF) is a transformative, pan-African capacity-building initiative designed to equip young climate leaders from across the continent with the technical knowledge, negotiation skills, and strategic confidence necessary to engage meaningfully in global climate governance processes, particularly within the UNFCCC system. AYNF has evolved into a continental leadership program dedicated to building a strong, inclusive pipeline of African Youth Negotiators who shape climate policy at national, regional, and international levels.

This fellowship is organized by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO) in collaboration with the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), Ghana , and Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), delivered in 3 distinct phases:

Phase 1: Applicants complete a required foundational online learning process through the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal, beginning with Climate Science 101, and upload a certificate of completion as part of the application process. Selected applicants may then be required to complete an additional course, quiz, or assignment as they proceed through the next stage of selection and onboarding.
Phase 2: An intensive one-week hybrid training in Ghana featuring advanced negotiation sessions, policy writing, simulations, and practical exercises. negotiation frameworks, the UNFCCC architecture, and regional policy intersections.
Phase 3: A deep-dive mentorship, thematic negotiation labs, policy brief development, and coordinated pre-, during-, and post-COP31 engagement activities.

Eligibility Criteria

Be a citizen of an African country, aged 15–35
Demonstrate a strong passion for climate justice and diplomacy.
Have experience or interest in international and/or national climate policies.
Complete at least 1 course and obtain the corresponding certificates on the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal.
Be able to commit fully to all 3 phases of the training.
Proficiency in English (language of instruction)

This program is delivered in English only. For enquiries, contact: aynf@greenafricayouth.org

FAQs

About the Fellowship

What is the African Youth Negotiators Fellowship (AYNF)?

The AYNF is a transformative training program organized by the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO). It is designed to strengthen skills in climate diplomacy, empower young Africans, and contribute meaningfully to Africa’s climate agenda and youth representation in decision-making processes.

What is the format and duration of the training?

The Fellowship includes a One-week residential intensive training component, along with opportunities for networking and mentorship with climate leaders.

Does the AYNF program cover costs for participants?

The program provides accommodation and meals for all selected participants. However, all selected applicants are responsible for covering their own air or bus fare.

Where does the in-person residential training take place?

While the specific venue details are shared upon confirmation of participation, Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), the organizer, is based in Accra, Ghana.

Is proficiency in English required to participate?

Yes, proficiency in English is required for the program, as all technical training is conducted in English.

How competitive is the AYNF selection process?

The program is highly competitive. For Cohort 4, the selection was made from an exceptionally competitive pool of over 7,000 applications.

Application Process & Requirements for the 2026 Cohort

What is the application deadline for the 2026 Cohort?

Applications close on April 30, 2026, at 11:59 P.M. GMT.

Who is eligible to apply?

Applicants must be citizens of an African country
Be between 15 and 35 years old
Demonstrate interest or experience in climate policy, advocacy, or diplomacy
Be proficient in English
Be able to commit to all phases of the fellowship fully.

Where can I submit my application?

Applications must be submitted through the official application link: https://youthnegotiators.com/apply.

What are the mandatory pre-application requirements?

As part of the application process, you are required to complete a course on the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal. The Climate Science 101 course is specifically mentioned as a mandatory course.

What are the steps to complete the mandatory course on the GCLP portal?

Sign up/Log in to the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal at www.gclportal.com.
Choose a course and select “Enroll” (or “Start Learning”).
Complete all modules, quizzes, and assessments for the course.
Download your certificate from the “Certification” section of your dashboard.
Upload the downloaded certificate to the designated section of the AYNF application form.

Can I submit my application materials via email?

No, applicants who encounter difficulties with the online form are still directed to submit their application via the official link. Direct email submission is not recommended.

What should I do if I encounter a technical issue with the application form or GCLP portal?

If you experience technical difficulties, you should check your internet connection, refresh the page, and try again. If issues persist, you can reach out to aynf@greenafricayouth.org for support.

Is eligibility limited to applicants with a climate-related academic background?

Given the fellowship’s focus on youth representation, applicants from diverse backgrounds who are passionate about climate action are encouraged to apply.

Who organizes the Fellowship?

The fellowship is organized by GAYO, in collaboration with CDKN and technical support from the EPA Ghana.

What does the Fellowship involve?

Phase 1: Applicants complete the required foundational online learning process through the Ghana Climate Literacy Portal, beginning with Climate Science 101, and upload a certificate of completion as part of the application. Selected applicants may then be required to complete an additional course, quiz, or assignment as they proceed through the next stage of selection and onboarding.

Phase 2: An intensive one-week hybrid training in Ghana featuring advanced negotiation sessions, policy writing, simulations, and practical exercises. negotiation frameworks, the UNFCCC architecture, and regional policy intersections.

Phase 3: A deep-dive mentorship, thematic negotiation labs, policy brief development, and coordinated pre-, during-, and post-COP31 engagement activities.