LCOY Rwanda 2026 — World Food Forum Rwanda

Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change Sept 26 – Oct 30, 2026 30 Districts · 4 Provinces · Kigali Approved by YOUNGO · UNFCCC Road to COP31 · Antalya 3,500–5,000+ Young Rwandans Local Conference of Youth on Climate Change Sept 26 – Oct 30, 2026 30 Districts · 4 Provinces · Kigali Approved by YOUNGO · UNFCCC Road to COP31 · Antalya 3,500–5,000+ Young Rwandans

About the Conference

Youth voices, from the grassroots to COP31.

The Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) is an official youth-led process under YOUNGO. Since 2013, over 50 countries have hosted LCOYs, feeding national youth priorities into the Global Youth Statement presented at the annual UN climate conference (COP).

Rwanda's youth represent 65% of the population yet have historically lacked a structured, youth-led platform to shape national climate processes. LCOY Rwanda 2026 fills that gap — producing a validated National Children & Youth Climate Position Paper submitted to the Ministry of Environment and YOUNGO, and carried by a youth delegation to COP31 in Antalya, Turkey (Nov 9–20, 2026).

The conference is guided by six principles: youth-led, participatory, culturally grounded, inclusive by design, action-oriented, and grassroots-to-global.

Approved by the LCOY Working Group under YOUNGO (UNFCCC)
Organised by 11 Technical Working Groups & 50+ youth leaders
Feeds into Rwanda's NDCs 3.0, NBSAP & the Global Youth Statement

Thematic Focus

Eight themes, one climate movement.

Technology & digital climate action is both a standalone theme and cross-cutting across every area.

Climate-Resilient Agriculture & Food Systems

Climate-smart practices, agroecology, youth agripreneurship, nutrition and food security.

Biodiversity & Ecosystem Restoration

Nature-based solutions and forest landscape restoration across Rwanda's national parks.

Just Energy Transition & Green Jobs

Renewable energy access, circular economy and green employment pathways.

Loss & Damage + Climate Mobility

Disaster risk reduction, climate finance, refugees, IDPs and forced migration.

Gender Justice & Just Transition

Women's climate leadership, empowerment and gender-responsive action.

Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE)

Climate education, awareness, public participation and access to information.

Technology, Innovation & Digital Climate Action

AI, IoT, e-waste management and digital tools for climate action and advocacy.

Arts & Culture for Climate

Music, poetry, dance, drama, murals, waste-to-art and storytelling for climate.

The Climate Month

Five phases, one journey.

September 26 – October 30, 2026. From National Umuganda Day to the National LCOY Main Event in Kigali.

September 26 · Nationwide

Umuganda Launch

Climate Month launches on National Umuganda Day with community tree planting (including fruit trees), clean-ups, climate awareness campaigns and nutrition distribution across all villages.

All 30 districts

September 27 – October 26 · 30 Districts

District Dialogues

30 district-level youth dialogues run continuously through the month. Each produces a local priority list feeding provincial consultations and the National LCOY.

1,500–3,000 youth

October 5–8 · 4 Provinces

Provincial Consultations

University-hosted gatherings at UR Nyagatare, UR Huye, UR Musanze and IPRC Karongi elevate rural youth priorities to the national level.

800–1,200 youth

October 9–27 · Virtual + Kigali

Statement Consolidation

A youth drafting team consolidates all inputs into the National Children & Youth Climate Position Paper.

15–20 drafters

October 28–30 · Kigali

National LCOY Main Event

A 3-day conference: high-level panels, World Café thematic labs, a youth innovation showcase & pitching event, arts performances, a policy lab and a validation plenary. Closes with the validation plenary on Oct 30.

600–800 youth

Legacy & Impact

Built to last beyond October.

Post-LCOY, a Sustainability & Legacy Working Group turns the conference into permanent infrastructure.

50,000

Trees planted nationwide

School environment clubs

University chapters

Permanent Rwanda Youth Climate Coalition

Call for Applications

Host a session, side event or campus activity.

Organizations, institutions, youth groups and schools are invited to submit proposals and help shape Rwanda's largest youth-led climate conference.

Host Sessions & Side Events

Lead a thematic session, workshop, panel or side event at the National LCOY Main Event in Kigali — or run an event in your province or district during Climate Month.

National LCOY sessions — Kigali, Oct 28–30. A 45–90 minute thematic session, workshop or panel.
National side events — exhibitions, workshops and networking running parallel to main sessions.
Provincial events — Eastern, Southern, Northern & Western Provinces, Oct 5–8.
District activities — any of the 30 districts, Sept 27 – Oct 26.

Apply to Host

Schools & Higher Learning Institutions

Primary schools, secondary schools and universities can host climate activities on their own campus during Climate Month, with trained LCOY delegates sent to facilitate.

School-based activities — climate club sessions, tree planting, art competitions and awareness events.
Higher learning institutions — climate dialogues, research showcases and innovation events on campus.
LCOY delegates facilitate on site, bringing a youth-led approach to your institution.
Competitions encouraged — art, essays, debates, school gardens, recycling and innovation.

Apply as an Institution

Round 1 closes 31 August 2026 Final deadline 18 September 2026 Selections announced 3 & 20 September

Co-Organizing Partners

Delivered together.

LCOY Rwanda 2026 is co-organized by a coalition of youth-led, conservation and climate organizations from across Rwanda.

HFD

Hope for Future Development