Thirty young women and men, drawn from council representatives across the three target regions, have been certified as Youth Climate Peace Champions after completing an 8-module Training of Trainers delivered in Garowe in July 2026. The curriculum covered climate literacy, conflict-sensitive facilitation, community dialogue, digital advocacy and safeguarding, delivered through group work, presentations and practical exercises under the Youth4Climate Challenge Awards 2025, with funding and technical support from the UNDP Rome Centre and the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security.

Rigorous certification. Certification required a minimum 70% assessment score plus satisfactory attendance, with each champion demonstrating competency through a simulated community peace dialogue and a climate-awareness activity. Attendance sheets, certificates and participant feedback are on file for all 30 participants.

Newly certified champions take part in a tree-planting activity as part of youth-led environmental stewardship in their communities.

Champions in action. Since certification, champions have already initiated youth-led environmental stewardship activities, including tree planting in their own neighbourhoods. As council formation is completed across all nine councils, champions — themselves drawn from council membership — will support the onboarding of their peers, mentor fellow council members, and help lead the community dialogues, advocacy campaigns and environmental restoration initiatives planned for the next phase of the project.