Green Africa Youth Organization-GAYO Botswana

19/10/2026

LCOY Botswana 2026 Panel Insights : From Planning to Policy; Youth-Led Action for NDC 3.0

At LCOY Botswana 2026 , Panel 3 moderated by Tinaye Mabara ; Youth Climate Council Botswana Coordinator); served as a pre-activation platform for hosted by Türkiye.

The panel provided a space to reflect on the Youth Climate Council’s (YCC) journey throughout 2026, tracing how young people moved from leading initial NDC consultations to actualizing the post-COP30 NDC Youth Declaration through strategic district-level engagements.

The discussion brought together Kgengwenyane (Environmental & Climate Law Specialist), Odisitse George Keotsene (NDC Focal Point, Botswana Meteorological Services, Wame Seralanyane National Planning Commission – NPC), and active youth delegates, including Mokgobi Thabang Khudu (YCC Regional Focal Point for Kweneng and Kago Timothy Mweemba,BNYC Board Vice Chair .

Key Panel Insights & Milestones:

Historic GESI Co-Creation: The panel celebrated a historical first for Botswana’s policy architecture, the explicit embedding of Gender Equity and Social Inclusion (GESI) measures, targets, and indicators within NDC 3.0 which YCC contributed and championed throughout 2026

Creation of the Youth Climate Fund: The session highlighted the formal inclusion of Measure C1 (Youth Climate Fund) in NDC 3.0, locking in a dedicated financing vehicle for youth-led eco-enterprises, co-designed directly through YCC-led youth consultations.

Legal Advocacy; Nancy Kgengwenyane: Clarified that youth do not need to wait for a formal Climate Change Law to take action; they can leverage legal advocacy right now under existing environmental frameworks. She urged young people to build technical competencies and engage in formal policy drafting rather than seeking social gatherings.

Macro-Fiscal & NDP Review Tracking, Wame Seralanyana, NPC: Highlighted the role of Botswana’s National Development Plan (NDP) Midterm Review in tracking climate expenditure and unlocking value propositions for youth. She encouraged youth innovators to form business consortia to capture green public procurement opportunities under NDP 12.

Homegrown Technology & National Positions, George Keotsene, MET: Stressed that as Botswana heads to COP31, national positions represent collective development needs, focusing on Water, Health, Zero-Waste, and Agriculture. He called on youth to leverage digital tools and homegrown technologies to accelerate the transition from coal to solar energy.

Youth voices must continue moving from dialogue to action, actively driving implementation and shaping Botswana’s climate future!

Youth Climate Council Global Alliance
Gamodubu Civil Society

.0

19/10/2026

We extend our sincere gratitude to Ms. Abigail Khumoyame, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Environment and Tourism, for her keynote address at LCOY Botswana 2026.

Her remarks at the University of Botswana emphasized that environmental sustainability and economic growth are complementary objectives. She highlighted that the nation must actively embed environmental considerations into the core of every economic sector rather than operating as passive observers. As Botswana advances its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC 3.0), young people are recognized as essential partners in driving this green transformation through renewable energy, sustainable agriculture, waste management, and green entrepreneurship.

We thank the Permanent Secretary for her leadership and her advocacy for meaningful youth integration in shaping a resilient, low-carbon future.

🔴 LCOY Day 2 is Happening NOW!

As our 2-day conference (October 15–16, 2026) concludes its final day, physical and virtual attendance is still open! Join us right now as we dive into solution showcases, budget simulations, and the drafting of the final youth statement.

🗓️ Date: Today, October 16, 2026
⏰ Time: Ongoing (Started at 08:45 AM CAT / Harare, Pretoria time)
💻 Join Virtually via Zoom: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/CGjgEwVjSUiGrYYQgNiD0w

19/10/2026

Conscientious Eco-Planet Foundation at LCOY Botswana 2026!

Conscientious Eco-Planet Foundation is proud to have contributed to the successful hosting of the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Botswana 2026 as part of the Local Organising Committee.

Our team supported communications and event protocols, including creating social media posts, designing event materials, and ensuring that presentation and projection requirements were in place throughout the two-day conference. Our officers from both the Central and Kgalagadi Districts also served as volunteers, supporting the conference through note-taking and documentation.

Beyond our organisational contribution, we were honoured to participate through our involvement in the Youth Climate Council (YCC), with representation as a Regional Focal Point for the Central District. We were especially encouraged to see young people from the Central District participating as both delegates and volunteers, contributing their voices and ideas to Botswana’s climate agenda.

This experience reaffirmed our commitment to youth empowerment, environmental advocacy, and meaningful community participation in climate action.

From our communities to the national platform, we believe every contribution counts!

More action, less talk!

16/10/2026

5 Days to Go!

The countdown to LCOY 2026 Botswana is on!

Join young people from across Botswana as we come together to discuss climate action, sustainability, green innovation, and youth-led solutions for a better future.

Don't miss this opportunity to connect, learn, and be part of the change.

Conference Dates:15th - 16th October 2026
Time: 8am - 4pm
Venue: UB Auditorium

📌 Registration is still open:

Delegates: https://forms.gle/wbuCGYCPSWByoxK66
Exhibitors: https://forms.gle/2Lr1o3w7J52iy8W19

16/10/2026

Couldn’t make it to the University of Botswana in person? You can still be part of shaping Botswana's climate future!

Whether you’re joining us from home, work, or another region, we want your voice heard at LCOY Botswana 2026 as youth lead the way toward a green, resilient transformation.

Here is how you can tune in, participate, and contribute to the national statement right now:

💻 1. Join the Sessions Virtually on Zoom
Don't miss the live discussions, policy panels, and interactive workshops!

Zoom Meeting Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/87418782409?pwd=A8Qzj4jPa1WWiMaOpCHz3GQrH7r3S1.1

Meeting ID: 874 1878 2409
Passcode: 851181

✍️ 2. Shape the Botswana Youth Climate Statement
Your priorities matter! Help co-create the policy recommendations that will feed into Botswana's NDC 3.0 and represent youth voice on the continental and global stage:

Submit Your Inputs: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=UUxBq_LGA0SLALsZDiGRsrdavL9oQTxPnKyhQgam0eJUMkw5RFFEWVhEUUlTSkk5RUlCQkFCVzBDNS4u&origin=QRCode (or scan the QR code in the image!)

❓ 3. Ask Your Questions & Share Feedback
Got questions for our speakers, panelists, or organizers? Drop them here:

Question Form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/dKAJQBFXHq

Distance is no barrier to climate action. Join us online, submit your thoughts, and let's shape Botswana’s green transformation together! 🌱✨

16/10/2026

Day 1 of LCOY Botswana 2026 celebrated youth creativity, leadership, and meaningful participation through the prize-giving ceremonies for the Youth Climate Council Botswana Storytelling Competition: Youth Voice for Governance Competition. Awarded to Winnie Tshwarwa , Tiisetso Mathole and Tashata Jessica Tobedza.

The recognition of the winners highlighted the power of young people to use storytelling and their voices to raise awareness, influence climate governance, and inspire action. One particularly inspiring moment was the story of Winnie, a Green Africa Youth Organization-GAYO Botswana Eco Club President, who pledged her P2,000 competition prize towards purchasing sanitary pads for 230 schoolgirls affected by water scarcity, demonstrating that climate leadership is reflected not only in words but also in action.

These initiatives reaffirm the importance of creating platforms where young people can share their experiences, communicate climate challenges, and contribute to shaping Botswana’s climate future.

16/10/2026

PANEL 1: From Narratives to Policy: Using Storytelling Pathways to Narrate a Green Transformation in Botswana

How can we turn our stories, local knowledge, and everyday challenges into practical solutions for a greener Botswana?

Panel 1 at LCOY Botswana 2026 explored how storytelling, innovation, and community engagement can help shape sustainable development and influence policy. The discussions highlighted that waste is not without value; it is an opportunity waiting to be explored as pointed by Freddie Rakwadi of Bio Crude. From converting organic waste into manure to transforming surplus and overripe tomatoes into innovative products, the panellists demonstrated how locally driven solutions can reduce waste, strengthen food security, and create green economic opportunities.

Dr. Pearl Lefadola from the University of Botswana emphasised that food waste represents lost resources, including water, fertilisers, labour, and opportunities to feed others. She highlighted the potential for partnerships and innovation, including turning surplus tomatoes into fermented tomato soup. The discussion also reinforced the values of Ubuntu, reminding us that sustainability requires us to consider the social and economic impact of our actions.

Contributions from and Bio Watt highlighted the importance of resourcefulness, learning from existing sustainability practices, understanding consumer needs, and engaging directly with communities and potential customers. Successful innovation requires more than a creative idea; it must respond to real needs and remain economically and environmentally sustainable. Panellists also stressed the need for stronger institutional and government support to enable local creativity and innovation.

The key takeaway?
Botswana's green transformation requires us to rethink waste, embrace indigenous knowledge, strengthen partnerships, and turn innovative ideas into practical, sustainable solutions. Our stories should not end with awareness; they should influence decisions, shape policies, and inspire action.

11/10/2026

Big News!

We’re proud to announce that Ministry of Youth and Gender Affairs BW has officially endorsed LCOY 2026 Botswana.
This recognition fuels our mission to empower youth voices in climate action and sustainable development. Join us for this landmark youth climate event: delegates & exhibitors can still register!
👉 Delegates: https://forms.gle/4Uuw7xig5zjydgVaA
Exhibitors: https://forms.gle/4jdLcx3jwjCxiPWM8
Let’s make history together
Thank you, MYGA, for your trust and support!

11/10/2026

11/10/2026

The countdown to LCOY 2026 Botswana continues!

📌 Registration is still open:
Delegates: https://forms.gle/wbuCGYCPSWByoxK66
Exhibitors: https://forms.gle/2Lr1o3w7J52iy8W19