 SUED embedded support information within UEPs on the impacts of climate change that the municipalities were experiencing, and shared case studies from across the globe on how other countries were adapting to climate change in their regions. For example, in Mandera’s UEP development, the programme shared lessons from Mozambique on how women and the youth were engaged in within the value chain with emphasis on the need for the youth to gain information on conservation efforts to increase agricultural production. By having examples that the youth in Mandera could easily reference, the programme was able to glean from them what they would like see replicated in their county to increase their economic base. The UEP development process also sought to empower the youth to build skills to help them identify climate change exposure and sensitivity and link project activities to the context of climate vulnerability. This included looking at their unique socioeconomic conditions and geographical location and reflecting on how they could enhance climate resilience.
Integrating climate finance in its support: In Isiolo and Mandera the programme identified the need for climate smart urban infrastructure development that would need significant investment. Through its technical assistance, the programme has helped the youth see how to position themselves to work closely with the county and municipal leadership to benefit from investment in resilience-increasing activities. The youth within the two counties now better understand why there is need to prioritise climate-adaptive urban infrastructure investments and can advocate for them to their county leadership.
Building local government capacity: Within its support, SUED provides technical assistance through trainings, mentorship and on-the-job trainings to build the capacity of local government officials to better position them to take advantage of private investment in urban resilience. The municipal boards in the supported municipalities now comprise youth representatives who have increased their knowledge of climate mitigation and adaptation methods to combat climate change in their localities. As they better understand why its important to prioritise climate change, they are equipped to make regulatory change that advocates for the institutionalisation of urban resilience best practices. For example, in Isiolo with SUED support the county and municipal leadership have a clear implementation plan on how to better manage their urban drainage system which will greatly reduce the economic impact of adverse climate events. The youth who serve in these boards are learning how to integrate climate conversations within their urban development practices.
Development of climate-resilient infrastructure value chain and infrastructure projects: The UEP development process identified critical value chain and infrastructure projects that will help the municipalities become climate resilient. Young people participated in developing the frameworks for these projects, participating in the provision of critical information to determine the viability of economic interventions. By highlighting the projects that the youth felt would have significant impact in their municipality, they were able to advocate for the development of projects that resonated the most with them. In both Isiolo and Mandera the projects identified are aimed at strengthening the resilience of the municipalities to climate change.
SUED has created a platform through which the youth are included in the decisions about both the development and implementation of urban resilience leaning projects.
This has reduced the risk that the activities designed to increase resilience will have unintended consequences on the youth or further exacerbate their vulnerabilities and inequalities. In doing so, SUED is supporting inclusive discussions that address the under-lying socio-economic drivers of vulnerability such as marginalisation and the impact it has in how the municipalities manage the disruption from extreme climate vents helping them 