HKH–Arctic Youth Leadership Forum 2025 – Empowering Youth at the Frontlines of Climate Change

The HKH–Arctic Youth Leadership Forum, organized by the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) in partnership with Arctic Circle, offers a fully funded one-year fellowship uniting young leaders from the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) and the Arctic regions to co-create climate solutions rooted in local, Indigenous, and scientific knowledge.

 Forum Overview

• Participants: 12 youth champions aged 19–35 from HKH and Arctic countries such as Nepal, India, China, Canada, Norway, and Iceland.
• Timeline: Year-long virtual programming capped by a forum in Reykjavík, Iceland (October 2025).
• Hosts: ICIMOD (based in Nepal) and Arctic Circle, bridging mountain and polar youth in climate dialogue.

 Why This Forum Matters

• The cryosphere is shrinking rapidly—HKH warming at 2× global average; Arctic at 4×. Young people in both regions are disproportionately impacted.
• This platform amplifies youth voices, strengthens leadership, and integrates grassroots knowledge into global decision-making, especially around biodiversity and cryosphere resilience.

 Objectives & Responsibilities

Program Aims:

• Elevate youth as knowledge holders bridging Indigenous/environmental science and policy
• Promote youth-led storytelling, advocacy, and campaigns
• Facilitate participation at global climate forums like the UNFCCC, IPCC, and Arctic Council
• Co-create inclusive and locally grounded climate solutions across regions

Cohort Roles:

• Participate in monthly virtual meetings (4–7 hrs/month) over one year
• Attend the in-person forum in Iceland (travel/accommodation costs covered)
• Lead youth-driven campaigns, storytelling, and knowledge exchange
• Represent regional youth perspectives in global platforms
• Possibly attend other ICIMOD or Arctic events, if funding allows

 Eligibility & Selection

Applicants should meet the following criteria:

• Aged 19–35, from a HKH or Arctic country (e.g., Nepal, India, Sweden, USA)
• Affiliated with a youth-led climate or environmental organization
• Demonstrated interest in cryosphere, biodiversity, or climate issues
• Proven leadership and community involvement, along with English-language fluency
• Comfortable using social media, content creation, and available for monthly engagement
• Access to stable internet and a valid passport (min. six months beyond October 2025)

 Benefits of Participation

• Fully funded attendance in Reykjavík: travel, accommodation, and programming expenses covered
• Training sessions and mentorship from experts in mountain and polar climate resilience
• Visibility at global forums, with opportunities to produce youth climate reports and campaign content
• Membership in an emerging network of HKH–Arctic youth leaders, scientists, and policymakers
• Receipt of a certificate of participation and reference letters upon completion

📝 Application Details & Timeline

• Selection: Top 12 youth champions will be shortlisted and notified before the October forum
• Required submission materials:
  • CV
  • Letter of endorsement from an organizational supervisor
  • Personal statement (max 500 words)
  • 2-minute video pitch in English
  • Scan of passport biodata page

Official Link