Context: Why Your Voice & Action Matter

Climate change remains one of the most pressing challenges facing Uganda. The country ranks as the 14^th most vulnerable nation to climate change globally and 163^rd in terms of readiness to cope with its impacts (World Bank Country Climate and Development Report, 2025). Without strengthened action, climate change could reduce Uganda’s economic growth by up to 3.1% by 2050, push more than 613,000 additional people into poverty, and drive up to 12 million internal climate migrants.

Uganda’s economy is highly climate sensitive. Agriculture contributes approximately 24% of GDP and employs about 70-73% of the labour force, the vast majority of whom depend on rain-fed systems. Over the past two decades, heavy rainfall, floods, and droughts have affected an average of 200,000 Ugandans each year. Recent data from the 2024 National Population and Housing Census (UBOS) show that 97.2% of parishes rely on rainfall for farming, yet 75.7% now experience irregular rainfall seasons. About 63.7% of communities have experienced famine and 63.1% have faced drought conditions, while 41.8% report rising temperatures.

Temperatures in Uganda have been rising at approximately 0.23°C per decade since 1950, with projections indicating further increases of up to 1.5-2.5°C (or higher under some scenarios) by mid-century. Rainfall is becoming more variable and intense, increasing the frequency of floods, prolonged dry spells, heat stress, and land degradation. These changes are already reducing crop yields, livestock productivity, and labour capacity, with smallholder farmers who dominate the Western region being particularly exposed.

Uganda has put in place progressive policy responses. These include the National Climate Change Act (2021), the Updated Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC 2022) that commits to a 24.7% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions below business-as-usual by 2030, the National Development Plan IV, and ongoing work on NDC 3.0. The updated NDC prioritises adaptation across 13 sectors and estimates a financing need of approximately USD 28.1 billion between 2023 and 2030, with the majority required for adaptation measures such as climate-smart agriculture, water security, and community resilience.

Despite these frameworks, significant capacity gaps persist among young people who constitute the majority of Uganda’s population (approximately 78% under the age of 30). Many youth climate actors lack practical knowledge of climate science, governance processes, advocacy, and sustainable agricultural systems such as Circular Regenerative Agriculture. This limits their ability to participate meaningfully in local and national climate decision-making and to scale locally led solutions.

In August 2026, the Youth Climate Council (YCC) Uganda, in partnership with Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), conducted a four-day National Training of Trainers (ToT) Workshop under the theme “From Knowledge to Action: Empowering Youth to Lead Climate Solutions.” The ToT developed a national pool of youth climate trainers equipped to cascade knowledge across the regions through the YCC Regional Hosting Organizations (RHOs).

As the Western Regional Hosting Organization, Rural Smiles Foundation is organising this one-day regional dissemination workshop to transfer key learnings from the national ToT to youth and stakeholders in Western Uganda. The workshop focuses on three priority themes: Understanding Climate Change, Climate Governance, and Circular and Regenerative Agriculture. By grounding these themes in the lived realities of the Western region where rain-fed agriculture and rural livelihoods predominate the activity will strengthen local capacity, foster youth leadership, and contribute to community resilience and the realisation of Uganda’s climate commitments.

Workshop Objectives & Learning Pillars

This regional dissemination workshop aims to build a well-trained, proactive network of youth climate advocates across Western Uganda.

Theme 1: Understanding Climate Change 
This session will build a solid foundation on the science of climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, and the difference between climate variability and climate change. It will examine observed and projected impacts in Uganda particularly rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, floods, droughts, and land degradation with specific reference to the Western region. Emphasis will be placed on how these changes affect agriculture, water resources, livelihoods, food security, and health, as well as the principles of climate justice and social inclusion so that climate action remains equitable.

Theme 2: Climate Governance 
Participants will explore how climate decisions are made from the local to the national and international levels. The session will unpack Uganda’s key climate policy and institutional frameworks, including the National Climate Change Act (2021), the Updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the role of the Ministry of Water and Environment, local government structures, and the mandate of the Youth Climate Council. Practical entry points for youth engagement, advocacy, and accountability will be highlighted so that young people can influence policy and decision-making processes more effectively.

Theme 3: Circular and Regenerative Agriculture 
This practical-oriented session will introduce the principles of Circular and Regenerative Agriculture (CRA) as a climate-smart and nature-based solution. Participants will learn approaches that restore soil health, close nutrient loops, reduce waste, enhance biodiversity, and improve resilience to climate shocks. Relevant techniques for Western Uganda such as composting, agroecology, climate-resilient cropping systems, organic inputs, and simple waste-to-value practices will be discussed, together with linkages to green livelihoods, food security, and community-based climate solutions.

Regional Scope & Application Phases

To ensure complete and equitable coverage across all 32 districts of Western Uganda, Rural Smiles Foundation is rolling out the workshop in two distinct phases :

Phase I Workshop (26 September 2026)

• Target Sub-regions: Bunyoro & Rwenzori (Greater Tooro) 
• Eligible Districts:
  • Bunyoro Sub-region: Buliisa, Hoima, Kagadi, Kakumiro, Kibaale, Kikuube, Kiryandongo, Masindi 
  • Rwenzori Sub-region: Bundibugyo, Bunyangabu, Kabarole, Kamwenge, Kasese, Kitagwenda, Ntoroko, Kyegegwa, Kyenjojo 
• Capacity: 20 competitively selected participants 

Phase II Workshop (Upcoming October 2026)

• Target Sub-regions: Ankole & Kigezi 
• Eligible Districts:
  • Ankole Sub-region: Buhweju, Bushenyi, Ibanda, Isingiro, Kazo, Kiruhura, Mbarara, Mitooma, Rubirizi, Rwampara, Sheema 
  • Kigezi Sub-region: Kabale, Kanungu, Kisoro, Rubanda, Rukiga, Rukungiri 
• Applicants from Ankole and Kigezi submitting interest today will be automatically pre-registered for the dedicated October 2026 workshop cohort .

Who Should Apply?

We are searching for dedicated, action-oriented individuals residing in Western Uganda who fall into one of the following profiles:

• Youth Climate Leaders & Advocates: Energetic young people aged 18–35 engaged in environmental, climate, or community development efforts .
• CBO & Youth Group Representatives: Leaders active within local youth-led non-profits or community-based organizations .
• August 2026 ToT Alumni: Western region alumni of the national ToT workshop looking to co-facilitate and lead peer knowledge transfer .
• Local Government Officers: Young district or sub-county focal points in environment, agriculture, or natural resources .
• Grassroots Agricultural Champions: Young farmers and mobilizers passionate about sustainable farming and climate resilience .

Inclusion Priority: Gender balance, representation of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), and youth from rural, farming-dependent parishes are given top priority during selection.

What Participants Receive

Selected participants receive full sponsorship covering:

• Full admission to interactive workshop modules and practical training materials.
• Breakfast, lunch, dinner, and tea break refreshments during event days.
• Friday night accommodation for participants traveling long distances from outlying districts (e.g., Kasese, Bundibugyo, Ntoroko, Buliisa, Hoima, Masindi).
• Distance-based travel allowance/reimbursement based on district location.
• Formal induction into the regional Western Youth Climate Council network for continuous peer collaboration.

How to Submit Your Application

Ready to drive climate action in your community? Complete the online Expression of Interest Form using the link below: