Young people shapes local policy for a just transition in Colombia

In several of Colombia’s most vulnerable regions – Amazonas, Chocó and Sierra Nevada – the natural environment is under threat from deforestation, mining and climate change.

At the same time, young people often lack the opportunity to influence the political decisions that determine their future.

Fostering young environmental leaders

The Palme Center’s partner organisation, VozEs, is working to change this by training and mobilising young environmental leaders.

In 2025, 800 young people from eight rural municipalities in Chocó took part in a training programme on the environment, democracy and political advocacy. The programme was carried out in collaboration with regional authorities and the Pedagogical University of Colombia and forms part of a wider initiative to train over 3,000 young environmental leaders in the coming years.

A key part of the work is linking the training to real political processes.

Greater political influence

Following the training, the participants developed their own policy proposals for a green economy and presented them in dialogue with mayors, regional authorities and national ministries. Several of the ideas have already begun to be integrated into local development plans.

The initiative is particularly significant as it brought together, for the first time, eight municipalities in Chocó around a joint programme for the environment and youth participation – in a region where cooperation otherwise mainly revolves around mining and industrial projects.

Through community education methods and close collaboration with decision-makers, VozEs strengthens young people’s opportunities to influence development in their communities.

In regions characterised by poverty, conflict and organised crime, this work contributes both to protecting the Amazon and to strengthening democracy by encouraging more young people to engage in community decision-making.