LocationsYouth Lead the Way: Vanuatu Hosts First Youth-Led Community Dialogue on Green Transformation and Green Entrepreneurship
December 3, 2025
Port Vila, Vanuatu - 24 young representatives from across Vanuatu concluded three days of intensive learning, dialogue, and innovation at the Youth-Led Community Dialogue on Green Transformation, Green Jobs and Green Entrepreneurship.
The dialogue was held between 17–19 November in Port Vila organised by the Department of Youth and Sports Development under the Vanuatu Green Transformation Project (VGET) as part of the Pacific Green Transformation Project (Pacific GX) supported by the Government of Japan, and in partnership with the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP).
The event marks a major step toward making Vanuatu’s shift toward renewable energy, green growth, and climate-resilient development more inclusive positioning the youth at the center sharing the ownership of the process.
Youth at the Heart of Vanuatu’s Green Future
With more than 60 percent of Ni-Vanuatu under the age of 30, empowering young people remains critical to achieving national goals—including Vanuatu’s target of 100% renewable electricity by 2030 under the National Energy Road Map. The workshop provided a space for youths to engage meaningfully with government, development partners, and civil society organisations, ensuring their perspectives shape the future of green jobs, innovation, and climate action.
Acting Director of the Department of Youth and Sports of the Government of Vanuatu, Ms. Rebecca Borugu.
Acting Director of the Department of Youth and Sports of the Government of Vanuatu, Ms. Rebecca Borugu, opened the workshop by affirming the government's commitment to elevating youth voices:
“Young people are not just the future—they are the present. Your ideas, your solutions, and your leadership are essential for Vanuatu’s green transformation. The government stands with you in shaping a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous nation.”
Over the three days, participants engaged in peer-to-peer learning, hands-on exercises on renewable energy and entrepreneurship, and thematic sessions on meaningful youth engagement, gender inclusion in the energy transition, and the social and economic opportunities of the blue and green economy.
Strengthening Youth Skills for a Green and Inclusive Economy
The Dialogue forms part of a broader regional effort under Pacific GX and YECAP to equip young people with the skills, resources, and platforms to drive impactful climate solutions. Sessions covered renewable energy literacy, business development, climate-smart livelihoods, and policy engagement—culminating in youth pitching their own green business ideas and action plans.
UNDP VGET Project Manager, Mr. Imran Khan.
UNDP VGET Project Manager Imran Khan highlighted the importance of youth unity and youth participation at the country’s development:
“Wan man i no aelan, aelan i wan man. One person is not an island; the island is one person. This reminds us that our strength comes from our connection to each other — to our land, our people, and our shared future. Over the last three days, each of you has shown exactly what this proverb means. You have worked together, learned from one another, and demonstrated that when youth unite, transformation becomes possible.”
Youth Voices Rising: From Dialogue to Action
The event offered a platform for youth to network, share reflections from their communities, and co-create solutions. Many expressed a renewed sense of agency and purpose.
For Shamenda Woi, youth activist from Vanuatu Climate Action Network, the workshop was a powerful reminder of collective responsibility:
“Climate change is already shaping our lives, and we cannot wait for others to fix it. This workshop gave us the tools to turn our ideas into action. We now understand that we—young people—can lead the green transition in our islands.”
Quenneth Joseph from Youth Challenge Vanuatu, said the sessions opened doors to new opportunities for youth entrepreneurship:
“I learned how renewable energy and green jobs can create real business opportunities for us. It’s not just theory—we now have practical skills to design projects, start ventures, and support our communities. This is how we build a stronger Vanuatu.”
Program Coordinator, V-lab, Ms. Torika Kalman.
A Milestone for Meaningful Youth Engagement
This Youth-Led Community Dialogue builds on earlier engagements, including the Green Jobs and Just Transition workshop held in Port Vila in September and comes at a timely moment as the National Youth Policy undergoes review.
The VGET project is at the final stage of validating findings and insights from the Study: “State of Youth Entrepreneurship Ecosystem in Vanuatu – A Deep Dive Case of Pentecost Island” which will be soon published to ensure youth perspectives are reflected in the green transformation process and forthcoming policy frameworks related.
The successful completion of the three-day event highlights a growing national momentum toward elevating youth leadership in climate action, energy transition, and inclusive economic development.
About the Projects
About the Vanuatu Green Transformation Project (VGET)
The VGET Project is part of the $37 million Pacific Green Transformation regional initiative, funded by the Government of Japan and implemented by UNDP in partnership with the Government of Vanuatu. With $4.62 million allocated for Vanuatu, the project supports the country’s National Energy Road Map target of achieving 100% renewable electrification by 2030, contributing by the installation of 3 pico-hydro systems (located at Waterfall, Melsisi, and Larimaat on Pentecost Island) that is expected to provide clean and reliable electricity to over 700 households by Christmas.
About Pacific GX and YECAP
The Pacific Green Transformation Project (Pacific GX), under UNDP’s Climate Promise and supported by the Government of Japan, supports Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Timor-Leste, and Vanuatu in transitioning to renewable energy and green growth. In collaboration with the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP), a regional youth-led platform supported by Sweden and Pacific GX, this initiative highlights how young people across the Pacific are leading the green transition. Pacific GX and YECAP are working together to equip youth with the skills, platforms, and resources they need to drive impactful climate action.
For more information, please contact:
Daniel C. Gonzalez, Communications Analyst | UNDP Pacific Office | (E) daniel.calderon.gonzalez@undp.org
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