On 26 September 2026, Rural Smiles Foundation convened youth leaders from Bunyoro and Rwenzori (Greater Tooro) for the Western Region Youth Climate Action Workshop. The gathering brought climate learning closer to the communities where young people are already working and marked the unveiling of a pilot seed grant fund for youth-led climate action.

As the Western Regional Host for Youth Climate Council Uganda, Rural Smiles Foundation organised the workshop around a practical question: how can young people turn climate knowledge into action that responds to the needs of their communities?

For many rural households in Western Uganda, climate change is experienced through everyday pressures on farming, water, food security and livelihoods. Young leaders are well placed to respond because they understand local conditions and often work directly with community groups. They also need opportunities to strengthen their technical knowledge, understand where decisions are made and access resources to carry out their ideas.

Connecting the science, the policies and the practice

The workshop covered three connected themes.

Understanding climate change gave participants a foundation for discussing changing weather patterns and their effects on communities. The session explored the difference between day-to-day weather and longer-term climate change, as well as how people can reduce emissions and adapt to risks they are already facing. These distinctions matter when a group is deciding which local problem it can realistically address.

Climate governance examined how international commitments connect to Uganda’s national policies and district responsibilities. Participants explored the purpose of the Paris Agreement, Uganda’s national climate contribution, the National Climate Change Act of 2021 and the roles of institutions involved in climate planning and implementation. The discussion also considered how young people can engage with local decision-makers and follow whether climate commitments are reflected in action.

Circular and regenerative agriculture brought the discussion to the farm and the wider community. Participants considered ways to use resources more efficiently while improving the condition of soil, water and living systems. Examples included composting, keeping suitable soil cover, diversifying crops and planting trees where they serve a clear purpose. The session also examined practical tradeoffs: crop residues may be needed for both livestock feed and soil cover, while a new practice must fit the land, labour and resources available to a farmer.

Across the sessions, we encouraged a simple approach to climate action: identify a specific problem, choose activities that can be carried out locally and decide how to check whether they are helping.

A pilot seed grant fund for youth-led groups

During the workshop, Rural Smiles Foundation unveiled a pilot seed grant fund totalling 5,000 United States dollars. The fund is intended to directly support youth-led groups in Western Uganda that are already implementing practical climate or environmental initiatives.

The pilot reflects what we heard throughout the day: young people are bringing experience and commitment to this work, but locally led action also needs direct support. The fund will help selected groups strengthen practical work already under way in their communities.

Groups interested in the opportunity should read the published call for proposals for the application dates, eligibility requirements and submission instructions.

Continuing the work across Western Uganda

This workshop focused on participants from Bunyoro and Rwenzori (Greater Tooro). It forms part of a wider regional effort to strengthen youth climate leadership, with engagement for Ankole and Kigezi planned as the next phase.

We are grateful to every youth leader who made time to participate and share their experience. We also thank the Green Africa Youth Organization and Youth Climate Council Uganda teams, together with the partners supporting our engagements.

The workshop was one step in a longer process. We look forward to staying connected with young climate leaders across Western Uganda and supporting practical ideas that respond to the priorities of their communities.