Created in 2010, the Niger Youth Climate Change Network (RJNCC) is the national representation of the African Youth Initiative on Climate Change (AYICC) which is the largest African youth platform on environment and climate issues at the African Union and its member states. The RJNCC is a grouping of youth organizations working in the environment, climate change and renewable energy for sustainable development. The Niger Youth Climate Change Network (RJNCC.AYICC-Niger) is a shared research and training organization that brings together leaders of youth organizations in the Republic of Niger. It essentially establishes interactive links between the different partner structures to encourage the dissemination and exchange of information and the development of policies and programs concerning youth, climate change, the environment and sustainable development. Such a networking space presents many opportunities, such as the synergy of resources, improved quality of service, information and scientific communications, and a better sharing of knowledge and experiences.

The “Actions for Inclusive Governance and Accountability: AGIR” project is an initiative of the RJNCC to improve the effectiveness of public service for youth and women’s participation in local governance and environmental leadership initiatives. The main objective of this project is to increase the empowerment of youth and women CSOs in 4 communes in the Tahoua and Maradi regions to ensure that youth and women’s voices are represented in the development of policies or policy reforms, particularly about the judicious use of public resources. The RJNCC will identify eight youth and women’s organisations from its network in the two target regions to participate in this project. The RJNCC will empower grassroots organisations working at the intersection of women’s and youth’s rights to use the data and stories of change from women and youth leaders to build and strengthen community, inspire action, and hold power accountable. In collaboration with these eight local organisations, the RJNCC will work to demystify public funding processes for various rights-bearing groups by simplifying governance data. This data will be analysed and transcribed creatively through plays for rural populations and a mobile platform to centralise all this information for citizens with internet-connected cell phones. Through this project, the RJNCC aims to stimulate public discourse by supporting women’s and youth CSOs with platforms and tools to take ownership of public space and improve access to public infrastructure.