Powering Young Initiatives-(PYI)

The lack of knowledge among the youths about climate change,in general,and specifics of how their behavior is affecting climate change and vice versa,in particular.The feeling of disconnect,apathy or helplessness among those already aware of climate change.Young people nowadays have heard of climate change and are familiar with the term.However,most also do not understand the relationship between their personal behavior/lifestyle and the devastating effects of climate change.PYI program will combine advocacy and behavior change communication and will create a youth lobby for green practices,such as banning of plastic shopping bags.Behavior change communication will win the people’s approval for such green practices and encourage them to change their attitudes and behavior to environment-friendly lifestyles,the general objectives of PYI are to make young people aware of climate change issues,help them to realise that they are at the root of the problem,and provide them the resources and means to be part of the solution

Youth unemployment is one of the biggest challenges faced by more than 56000 youths in Zambia,social innovations and Entrepreneurship development can help create jobs and reduce the high levels unemployment  among youths in Zambia. If youths can be Empowered with entrepreneurial skills to be used right now to address climate change,we will be creating jobs and solving climate change challenges faced right now. This  Intervention targets young people of all socio-economic backgrounds. In the short-term, the primary target group can be described as general youth who possess enough spending power (from the middle-income, higher-income, and upper-lower income brackets) and have the habit of Polluting the Environment by wasteful eating habits These youth are mainly in the urban centers.It is a conscious decision to target this class of community because, as the ones with spending power,they are also at the root of many of the problems contributing to climate change.They are the most prolific consumers and polluters.On a daily basis they consume more energy, gas, food and natural resources such as water and, reversely, they produce more waste (solid, liquid) and pollution (traffic, industrial) which contributes to increased greenhouse gases and carbon in the atmosphere.

We are working on Establishing Powering Young Initiatives Internet Cafe dedicated to climate change,Entrepreneurship and Eco-inclusive Enterprise development Communication Initiatives for Youth Development. It is a large undertaking and it will cost a considerable sum of money to set up However, it is being presented here to show case its innovative approach as an intervention that a) addresses both spheres of action on Entrepreneurship, climate change - mitigation and adaptation - and b) cross-cuts them both. If Provided with Funds (if granted to this idea) will be used for the specific start-up costs within the Powering Young Initiatives larger program.Young people will be the future leaders, decision makers, and drivers of society. If they can be motivated to adopt  green lifestyles when young, they will lead by example in the future when they assume positions of influence. In addition, the exposure and interaction they receive from Powering Young Initiatives cafe will motivate a portion of them to become environmental, innovators, researchers and Entrepreneurs This will, in time, increase the human capital with expertise in Enterprise Development and climate change issues in our societies, which will enhance the government’s plans and effort by Creating more jobs. 
 

In Zambia, today’s record 4.8 million young people aged 15-35 [36.7% of Zambia’s population] - the largest population of young people in its history - present an enormous opportunity to transform our future. With targeted investments, Zambia’s youth have the potential to be the innovators, creators, builders and leaders of sustainable development. Powering Young Initiatives is establishing new channels of communication at a natural meeting point for Children, youth and women that will pave the path for a movement to address Unemployment and  the effects of climate change. Specifically, by: Providing a completely immersive experience of learning where young Leaders can absorb information about Enterprise Development,  environment and the effects of human behavior contributing to climate change, Making young leaders aware of how their individual behaviors is affecting climate change  and what they can do to rectify it,and Facilitating dialogue and discussion among young leaders that encourages them to realize their roles and responsibilities in the fight against climate change and Unemployment. lastly Allowing Young Leaders to be part of the larger solution by helping them to design interventions and launch mass movements aimed at spreading community awareness and adoption of green lifestyles.

The number of unemployed youths still remains the biggest challenge currently faced in Zambia,Empowering youths with Entrepreneurial and  Innovative skills and Provide them with resources can help reduce the high levels of Unemployment Currently faced. Youths in Zambia should be radically trained to be innovators and Thinkers so as to reverse the current  job spectator prevailing situation.Equipping the youths with Entrepreneurship skills to be used right now to address climate change can also be Effective in creating Eco-Inclusive Enterprise Ventures.Zambia has 4.8 million youths with over 56000 thousand unemployed.  

If selected We will use the Platform to build our capacity and Improve knowledge and level of understanding among the youths so as to fight climate change and unemployment levels in the Country 

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Change is driven by the actions of motivated citizens coming together for committed action. When exposed to information and ideas, and having access to practical tools and examples of how to turn these ideas into actions, ordinary citizens can become the drivers of their own development. By providing the relevant information and resources that enable people to act facilitates its members to identify issues of prime concern, to discuss and share ideas, to create solutions and to collaborate in implementing those solutions. 

Being Part of this Process is helpful, especially with building our organizational capacity, seeing that our organization is still new. We are applying to be part of this and we are taking this as a learning process, and expect feedback, so as to help improve in this specific area. Business model, board members and advisor and marketing and  media exposure 

Powering Young Initiatives is partnering with Future Point 4 Business, based in the UK. Future Point 4 Business will be working on the development of the Powering Young Initiatives brand and brand collateral, including website and video animation material.Future Point 4 Business came to Zambia last year to conduct training. They want to develop business opportunities in Zambia, supplying high quality branding and marketing services.

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