HER ROYAL HIGHNESS THE PRINCESS LALLA HASNAA OF MOROCCO
Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa unveiled the African Youth Climate Hub (AYCH) in 2019, at the United Nations Secretary General Climate Summit, an initiative geared towards fostering the voices, initiatives, and action of youth, starting with African Youth, in response to climate change. AYCH serves as a dynamic platform offering essential support, both in skills and knowledge, as well as in entrepreneurship and employment opportunities.
This collaborative venture brings together the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection, the YOUNGO (Children and Youth Constituency to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), OCP Group, and University Mohammed VI Polytechnic. As it embarks on its journey, AYCH welcomes additional partners, particularly those rooted in Africa, to contribute to the initial phase of this initiative.
In 2023, the African Youth Climate Hub launched a trailblazing startup incubation program with a mission to advance environmentally conscious projects and innovative solutions for climate change and sustainable development, attracting over 200 applications within the first month. For this first cohort, The jury carefully selected ten projects from eight African countries, prioritizing a balanced approach between mitigation and adaptation, while also integrating social and environmental considerations.
Over a span of six months, the incubation program provided tailored support in various fields, including law, strategy, marketing, communication, psychology, and climate technologies. The selected projects spanned a spectrum of innovation and sustainability, from solar stoves for public establishments in Uganda to biogas units in Egypt, to filtered cooled water in Madagascar, to new sustainable wood made from coconut husks in Ghana, to ago-ecological farm school in Senegal, to sustainable waste management digital solutions in Nigeria, to biodegradable plastic from plant waste in Morocco, to cleaning products made from used cooking oil in Tunisia, to ecological charcoal briquettes produced from household organic waste and agricultural residues in Burundi, reflecting a holistic approach that integrates social, environmental, and economic considerations.
The impact of the initiative is not only environmental but economic as well, with the current projects collectively generating a monthly revenue exceeding $520,000. More than 27 partnership opportunities have been unlocked, leading to the creation of 15 jobs.
The laureates of the first incubation program will be participating with the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environmental Protection in various Side Events during COP28.
As the second edition of the incubation program kicked off in September 2023, the jury is currently evaluating projects submitted by aspiring innovators. The selected projects, set to benefit from the program, will be announced in January 2024.
