Taking Stock of Youth Participation in Climate Adaptation: A Case Study of Action 24, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Globally, youth voices have emerged as critical in the climate adaptation discourse. Underpinned by Hart’s participation typology and Lundy’s Voice Model, this study explored the nature and level of youth participation being promoted by a civil society-led climate adaptation programme in Zimbabwe. A qualitative research methodology was adopted for the study. The results indicate meaningful youth participation in the mid to high level range on Hart’s ladder of participation in action focused at protecting and adapting their communities to climate change, influencing the climate adaptation agenda, and transforming the climate adaptation policy for sustainable development. However, poverty, adultism, and lack of government support emerged as barriers to higher level youth participation in climate adaptation. Integration of poverty reduction and climate adaptation, challenging adultism, and lobbying the government can enhance youth participation in climate adaptation in Zimbabwe and abroad.