LocationsYouth bridging climate, peace and livelihoods
Rooted in hope
August 11, 2025
The North West Climate-Peace Hubs initiative has trained 150 young people from conflict-affected areas in solar power installation.
Photo: UNDP Nigeria
In the vast expanse of the Jazeera Lagoon in Somalia, Abdulqaadir Omar Siyaad is leading a transformation – with seedlings and saltwater.
A marine biologist teaching at the Somali National University, Abdulqaadir is aware that the shrinking mangroves in this region are not only an ecological loss but also a threat to livelihoods, peace and a way of life passed down through generations. He explains:
“If we really want to protect biodiversity, we must implement effective regulations, but we must also support the livelihoods of those dependent on natural resources,”
Abdulqaadir Omar Siyaad is a marine biologist working to protect Somalia’s mangroves.
Photo: UNDP Somalia
Thousands of kilometres away in the arid landscape of north-west Nigeria, 25-year-old Nafisat Ahmed is doing something similar—harnessing solar energy and green skills to sow the seeds of stability in her community, ravaged by years of conflict and by climate change. Nafisat is brimming with optimism and hope about the future:
“I cannot wait to start helping people harness the power of the sun.”
Young women like Nafisat Ali are learning green skills and embracing new opportunities.
Photo: UNDP Nigeria
Somalia and Nigeria are among the world’s most climate-vulnerable and conflict-affected regions. In Somalia, 83 percent of forest cover has vanished since the 1980s due to unsustainable exploitation and climate pressures, while mangrove ecosystems, vital for coastal resilience and livelihoods, face accelerating degradation.
Meanwhile, desertification is a critical issue in northern Nigeria, affecting 38 percent of the country’s total area and 27 million people. The loss of arable land and scarcity of critical resources like water are intensifying conflicts over these resources.
Overgrazing and other unsustainable pressures due to human activities threaten mangrove ecosystems that are vital to Somalia’s coastal regions.
Photo: UNDP Somalia
The clean energy transition in north-west Nigeria is bringing peace and promoting self-reliance among youth, especially women.
Photo: UNDP Nigeria
The intersection of climate shocks, biodiversity loss and conflict disproportionately affect youth. Facing diminishing livelihoods opportunities and an uncertain future, they are forced to migrate, or become increasingly susceptible to recruitment by armed groups spreading violence and hate.
Yet, while youth are often seen as either victims or perpetrators of conflict, they are also powerful agents of change. In both Nigeria and Somalia, where youth comprise nearly 70 percent of the total population, their leadership and participation are becoming pivotal in driving positive transformation.
In Somalia, transformation is taking place through a grassroots restoration movement led by university students working hand-in-hand with local communities. Abdulqaadir and his fellow students bring scientific knowledge and fresh ideas to the field, while communities contribute generations of wisdom and an intimate understanding of the fragile mangrove ecosystem.
Together, they are not only replanting mangroves along the Jazeera Lagoon but also spreading awareness about their importance in protecting coastlines, supporting biodiversity and sustaining livelihoods.
“We speak to grazers about the pressure their livestock place on mangroves and help them find alternative grazing lands and water sources. For communities dependent on this ecosystem, like those who are engaged in salt making or collecting fuelwood, we are trying to find solutions like in relocating to other areas or shifting to alternative energy sources like liquefied petroleum gas. It’s not just about protecting trees; it’s about offering people real choices."
— Abdulqaadir Omar Siyaad
Such initiatives demonstrate the power of youth participation in shaping the country’s future. The Somalia Youth Climate Platform, a youth-led initiative under the leadership of Somalia’s Federal Ministry of Youth and Sports and the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change—supported by a Government of Sweden-funded UNDP initiative—is bringing young voices and action to the fore and equipping them with technical knowledge and skills to catalyse change in their communities.
Abdulqaadir trains local youth to retore and conserve mangrove ecosystems.
Photo: UNDP Somalia
In Nigeria, green energy is becoming a gateway to peace.
Launched by UNDP Nigeria with support from the Government of Norway, the North West Climate-Peace Hubs initiative has trained 150 youth in renewable energy technologies, particularly in areas impacted by conflict and displacement, where opportunities for stable employment and economic independence are scarce.
Many of these regions are beyond the national grid, with communities relying on expensive and polluting diesel generators. By teaching young people how to install, maintain and scale solar systems, the initiative offers a triple dividend: it tackles energy poverty, reduces carbon emissions and creates meaningful employment in fragile settings.
Such opportunities offer a tangible alternative to illicit activities or joining violent extremist groups. Globally, 690 million young people live in countries and regions experiencing violent conflict. Their journey to extremism is often fuelled by a lack of economic opportunity. Meaningful employment not only provides income but also fosters dignity and hope, reducing grievances that can escalate into conflict.
Acquiring technical skills also empowers women and young girls to become independent and play a greater role in their communities' development.
“I am confident this will open doors for many women like me to become self-reliant.”
— Nafisat Ahmed
While their stories unfold in different contexts, the youth of Nigeria and Somalia demonstrate why solutions to climate change and insecurity must be local, inclusive and intergenerational. When youth are equipped with the right tools, training and trust, they become powerful drivers of resilience and peace.
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