Climate change is no longer a distant challenge it is a reality shaping the lives of millions of people across the East African region. Communities are increasingly facing prolonged droughts, devastating floods, rising temperatures, biodiversity loss, declining agricultural productivity, water insecurity, coastal erosion, and increasingly frequent climate-related disasters.
At the same time, East Africa is home to some of the world’s most valuable natural ecosystems. Its forests, wetlands, rivers, lakes, mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and the Western Indian Ocean sustain millions of livelihoods, provide food security, regulate the climate, and support extraordinary biodiversity. Yet these ecosystems are under growing pressure from climate change and unsustainable human activities.
Protecting our future requires protecting both the land and the ocean.
Across the East African region, young people are already leading this transformation. They are restoring ecosystems, championing nature-based solutions, developing innovative climate technologies, supporting sustainable livelihoods, and mobilizing communities to build resilience. However, despite their passion and commitment, many young changemakers continue to face limited access to technical training, mentorship, regional collaboration, practical field experience, and leadership opportunities.
In addition, an increasing number of young people are experiencing climate anxiety the emotional stress, uncertainty, and concern about the future caused by the growing impacts of climate change. While climate anxiety reflects the seriousness of the challenges we face, it can also become a powerful source of hope and action when young people are empowered with the knowledge, skills, support, and opportunities to create meaningful change.
Recognizing both the urgency of the climate crisis and the immense potential of East Africa’s youth, Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Tanzania and Casina Farms, with the generous support of the Z Zurich Foundation, are proud to launch the East African Youth Ocean & Climate Resilience Bootcamp & Capacity Building Program 2026.
This six-month regional fellowship will bring together passionate young changemakers from across the East African region for a transformative learning journey combining expert-led virtual sessions, mentorship, peer learning, regional networking, and immersive field experiences in Tanzania and Kenya. Together, Fellows will strengthen their leadership, expand their technical knowledge, and develop practical solutions that enhance ocean and climate resilience while supporting sustainable and thriving communities.
Why This Fellowship Matters
The climate crisis and the health of our ocean are inseparable.
The ocean absorbs approximately one-quarter of global carbon dioxide emissions and produces around half of the oxygen we breathe. Coastal and marine ecosystems including mangroves, seagrass meadows, coral reefs, and salt marshes serve as powerful natural climate solutions by storing carbon, protecting coastlines from erosion and storms, supporting fisheries, and sustaining millions of people across the East African region.
Yet these ecosystems are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, habitat destruction, and unsustainable resource use. Their decline not only weakens biodiversity but also reduces the resilience of coastal communities that depend on healthy oceans for food, income, and cultural identity.
Building climate resilience therefore requires an integrated approach that recognizes the strong connections between healthy oceans, healthy ecosystems, and resilient communities.
The East African Youth Ocean & Climate Resilience Bootcamp & Capacity Building Program 2026 was created to equip the next generation of leaders with the knowledge, leadership skills, emotional resilience, and practical experience needed to address these interconnected challenges.
Rather than viewing climate action and ocean conservation as separate fields, the fellowship embraces a holistic approach that integrates science, indigenous and local knowledge, nature-based solutions, innovation, entrepreneurship, emotional wellbeing, and community leadership.
Above all, this fellowship is about investing in people. By empowering young leaders today, we are strengthening East Africa’s capacity to restore ecosystems, protect biodiversity, build sustainable livelihoods, and create a more climate-resilient future for generations to come.
What Fellows Will Gain
Throughout this six-month fellowship, selected Fellows will participate in a comprehensive learning experience designed to strengthen both their leadership and technical capacity.
Fellows will benefit from:
1. Expert-Led Learning
Participate in interactive virtual sessions covering ocean conservation, climate resilience, blue economy, ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, nature-based solutions, climate innovation, leadership development, emotional wellbeing, and community engagement.
2. Immersive Field Training in Tanzania and Kenya
Experience learning beyond the classroom through practical field training in both Tanzania and Kenya. Fellows will visit restoration sites, engage directly with local communities, learn from experienced practitioners, and witness successful examples of ecosystem restoration, sustainable agriculture, coastal conservation, and community-led climate resilience.
3. Mentorship and Professional Development
Receive guidance from leading practitioners, researchers, entrepreneurs, conservationists, and development professionals working across climate resilience, ocean conservation, sustainable agriculture, and the blue economy.
4. Regional Networking and Collaboration
Become part of a growing network of young climate and ocean leaders from across the East African region, creating opportunities for long-term collaboration, knowledge exchange, innovation, and regional partnerships.
5. Leadership and Project Development
Develop practical leadership, communication, fundraising, project design, and impact measurement skills that will empower Fellows to design, implement, and scale community-led climate and ocean initiatives.
Who Is Eligible?
Applications are open to passionate young changemakers from across the East African region who are committed to creating positive environmental and social impact.
Applicants should:
- Demonstrate an interest or active involvement in climate action, ocean conservation, environmental sustainability, sustainable agriculture, the blue economy, nature-based solutions, community development, or related fields.
- Be passionate about protecting nature while building resilient communities.
- Be available to participate throughout the six-month fellowship, including virtual learning sessions and in-person field training in both Tanzania and Kenya.
- Be eager to collaborate with peers from across the East African region and contribute to a growing network of young climate and ocean leaders.
Fellowship Learning Areas
Throughout the programme, Fellows will explore a diverse range of topics, including:
- Ocean-climate connections and climate resilience
- Blue economy and sustainable coastal livelihoods
- Nature-based solutions
- Leadership development and emotional wellbeing
- Understanding and addressing climate anxiety
- Mangrove restoration and blue carbon ecosystems
- Seagrass conservation and restoration
- Coral reef conservation
- Sustainable agriculture and regenerative farming
- Climate entrepreneurship and green innovation
- Community-led conservation
- Project design, monitoring, evaluation, and impact measurement
Learning Beyond the Classroom
One of the defining features of this fellowship is its emphasis on experiential learning.
Through immersive field experiences in Tanzania and Kenya, Fellows will gain first-hand exposure to successful conservation initiatives, restoration projects, community-led enterprises, and innovative climate solutions. These experiences will allow participants to connect theory with practice while learning directly from local communities, researchers, practitioners, and entrepreneurs working on the frontlines of ocean and climate resilience.
By learning from real-world examples, Fellows will leave with practical skills and ideas that can be adapted and implemented within their own communities.
Building East Africa’s Next Generation of Ocean & Climate Leaders
The East African Youth Ocean & Climate Resilience Bootcamp & Capacity Building Program 2026 is more than a fellowship it is a regional movement.
By investing in young people, we are investing in the future of East Africa. Every Fellow selected will become part of a growing community of leaders committed to restoring ecosystems, advancing sustainable livelihoods, protecting our ocean, strengthening climate resilience, and inspiring positive change across the region.
Together, we can transform climate anxiety into climate action, local ideas into regional solutions, and today’s emerging leaders into tomorrow’s champions for people, nature, and the ocean.
Register for the Information Session
Interested in learning more before submitting your application?
Join our Information Session to discover everything you need to know about the fellowship, including the programme structure, eligibility, learning journey, field training opportunities, and application process. The session will also include a live question-and-answer segment with the organizing team.
📅 Date: 29 July 2026
🕠 Time: 17:30 – 18:00 Hrs (EAT)
💻 Venue: Online (Zoom)
👉 Register for the Information Session: https://soalliance.zoom.us/meeting/register/FOf3HRdmT5GGWRel6mnC8Q
Apply Now
Are you ready to become one of East Africa’s next generation of ocean and climate leaders?
If you are passionate about creating lasting environmental and social impact, this fellowship offers a unique opportunity to strengthen your leadership, expand your regional network, gain practical experience, and turn your ideas into action.
📅 Applications are now open.
📝 Apply for the Fellowship: East African Youth Climate Resilience Bootcamp & Capacity Building Program 2026: Application Form
About the Organizers
The East African Youth Ocean & Climate Resilience Bootcamp & Capacity Building Program 2026 is jointly organized by Sustainable Ocean Alliance (SOA) Tanzania and Casina Farms, with the generous support of the Z Zurich Foundation.
Together, we are committed to empowering young people with the knowledge, practical skills, leadership, and regional networks needed to accelerate ocean conservation, climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, sustainable livelihoods, and nature-based solutions across the East African region.
Follow the Journey
Stay connected with us for fellowship updates, speaker announcements, application tips, and inspiring stories from across the East African region.
“Together, we are building East Africa’s next generation of ocean and climate leaders.” 🌊🌍