On 9 and 10 October, the 2023 Landscape Leadership Workshop was held in Nairobi, Kenya, to set the scene for the GLF Nairobi 2023 Hybrid Conference: A New Vision for Earth. Co-designed by the Global Landscapes Forum (GLF), the Youth in Landscapes Initiative (YIL), and the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), the workshop brought together 45 brilliant young minds from Africa and around the world selected from over 700 applicants to drive impactful and transformative change.
Together, we brainstormed out of the box to find landscape solutions to the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, social injustices and other major challenges. We held hands while sharing our feelings about the world. We harnessed the power of art to challenge dominant narratives. We will forever cherish the memories we made, and we will continue to nourish these new relationships with care.
To support healthy and equitable landscapes for current and future generations, we must embody and practice landscape leadership: collaborative leadership that cares for people and their livelihoods, values ecosystems and facilitates action that goes beyond business as usual.
The 2023 Landscape Leadership Workshop will be a hub of invaluable knowledge, skills, tools and insights on how you can become a landscape leader. The carefully curated sessions, interactive discussions and hands-on activities will encourage participants to navigate complex challenges, materialize visions rooted in the landscape approach and grounded by justice, and collaborate across sectors.
But it’s not just about learning; it’s about building lifelong connections. The Landscape Leadership Workshop will be a unique networking platform, connecting you with fellow participants, renowned experts during GLF Nairobi, and potential new collaborators. You will have the opportunity to forge meaningful relationships, exchange ideas, stories, knowledge and hope, and be part of a supportive Africa-wide network that extends far beyond the duration of the program.
The full agenda of the workshop will be shared with the selected participants.
Africa’s youth are already champions for landscape action and community-based solutions. This means they have immense potential to forge a new development model and realize sovereign visions for the continent.
If you are:
- A student, young professional, expert or visionaire (18–35 years old);
- And a citizen of an African country;
- And a passionate advocate for thriving peoples and landscapes;
Then this edition of the 2023 Landscape Leadership Workshop is for you!
We would like to especially encourage individuals from underrepresented groups across Africa to apply.
CDKN, in partnership with the GLF and YIL, is launching a grant coupled with peer learning, mentoring and training opportunities to support the participation of underrepresented youth voices into global conversations and understanding of climate justice.
As part of the application for the Landscape Leadership Workshop, you can also apply to be considered for this grant.
If selected, you will receive $2,000 to work towards realising your vision of a just climate future.
In addition, you will form part of a cohort of young artivists, activists, community-minded individuals and change makers from the majority world (predominantly Africa and including fellows from Indonesia and Brazil).
Grantees will be encouraged to participate in a number of events, peer-learning, and training opportunities over a six-month period to grow and share their existing knowledge, expertise and learning amongst the cohort and more widely.
More information on the grant can be found here.
Applications are now closed.
There will be limited places at the workshop. Applications are now closed.
Some tips for your application:
- The application will take about seven (7) minutes to complete.
- You will need to submit a 1-minute video for the application answering the question: How can we achieve climate justice for Africa’s communities, landscapes and seascapes?
- If you would like to be considered for the CDKN grant opportunity, don’t forget to complete the grant section of the application form. You will be required to submit a budget breakdown to a maximum of $2,000.
Please note that all applicants will receive an automatic confirmation email, but only shortlisted candidates will be contacted beyond that.
If you have any issues with the application form, please contact the GLF Youth Communications Officer, Hyginus Laari.
Applications are now closed.
Here are some answers to our most frequently asked questions. If you have any further questions, feel free to contact the GLF Youth Coordinator, Eirini Sakellari.
What is the language of the application and the workshop?
The application form is in English, which will also be the working language of the workshop.
How will you select workshop participants?
Applicants will be selected based on their passion and motivation, demonstrated interest in a landscape and climate justice issue or cause, clarity of responses, and ability to implement ideas and collaborate.
When will the workshop take place?
Selected participants including awarded grantees are expected to attend the workshop in person on 9–10 October and the GLF Nairobi Hybrid Conference on 11–12 October.
Will funding be available?
All travel, accommodation and associated attendance costs for the five awarded grantees will be covered. We further have a limited number of travel scholarships available to cover other participants’ travel, accommodation and associated attendance costs to and from Nairobi. We will award scholarships based on need and merit. The remaining delegates are expected to raise their own funds to attend, though our team will be available to assist with fundraising wherever possible.
I am under 18 or over 35, can I still apply?
Unfortunately not, but we encourage you to join us at the GLF Nairobi Hybrid Conference. If you are under 18, please contact GLF Youth Coordinator Eirini Sakellari to discuss other ways you can get involved.
Applications are now closed. Shortlisted candidates will be contacted soon.
DIVE INTO KNOWLEDGE
Click to download resources for landscape leadership
GET INSPIRED BY LANDSCAPE LEADERS FROM AFRICA AND BEYOND
MEET THE SPEAKERS
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South Africa
Youth Engagement Manager
Climate Development and Knowledge Network (CDKN) -
Varun Tumuluru
India
Global Landscapes Forum -
Project Lead
Ondiri Wetland Botanic Garden -
Nadia Sitas
South Africa
CDKN/ SouthSouthNorth -
Michelle du Toit
South Africa
CDKN/ SouthSouthNorth -
Kenya
Youth4Nature -
Lucia Scodanibbio
South Africa
CDKN/ SouthSouthNorth -
Project Officer
CIFOR-ICRAF -
Founder, Restoration Steward 2022
Light On A Hill, The GLF -
Youth Program Coordinator
Global Landscapes Forum/Youth in Landscapes Initiative -
INUKA Project coordinator
Youth4Nature -
Aiita Joshua Apamaku
Education Taskforce Lead
Youth4Nature -
GLFx Africa Hub Officer
GLF
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