Plan International Bangladesh organized a high-level dialogue titled “From Climate Finance to Youth Action: Access, Opportunities and Barriers for Young People” as part of the Regional Conference of Youth – Asia and the Pacific (RCOY APAC) 2026 at BRAC University in Dhaka on Sunday.
The event brought together senior government officials, diplomatic representatives, climate finance institutions, development practitioners and young climate leaders to examine challenges preventing young people from accessing climate finance and translating their ideas into sustainable climate solutions.
The dialogue highlighted a disconnect between the growing recognition of young people as climate leaders and their limited access to financial resources. Discussions focused on legal and institutional eligibility requirements, limited climate finance literacy, complex application and compliance procedures, and a lack of accessible financing pathways for emerging youth-led initiatives.
Kazi Rawnaqul Islam, Managing Director of Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT), highlighted the Government of Bangladesh's commitment to supporting young climate leaders.
He said: “The Government of Bangladesh is willing and looking forward to investing in youth-led climate initiatives.”
Md Shamsuddoha, Chief Executive of Center for Participatory Research and Development (CPRD), emphasized the importance of consistency and differentiation for the sustainability of youth-led climate action.
He said: “Youth-led initiatives should demonstrate consistency, and their products and solutions must establish their own niche. This is essential for building credibility and long-term sustainability.”
Juel Mahmud, Liaison Officer in Bangladesh at the Green Climate Fund (GCF), underscored the need to strengthen young people's understanding of the climate finance landscape.
He said: “Young people must explore the different avenues of climate finance. Strengthening climate finance literacy should be a priority.”
Representing the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany in Dhaka, Jannis Hussain, Deputy Head of German Development Cooperation, encouraged young climate actors to approach financing opportunities with confidence.
He said: “Young people should not feel discouraged or afraid to seek financing to implement their ideas and initiatives.”
Farah Anzum, Bangladesh Lead at Global Strategic Communications Council (GSCC), called for greater institutional commitment to youth-led climate action.
She said: “Climate finance must move beyond promises and create real possibilities for young people. Stakeholders must place their trust in youth-led initiatives.”
A key highlight of the event was a presentation by Kamrul Hasan Shawon, Program Manager – Climate Change and Resilience (Portfolio Lead) at Plan International Bangladesh, titled “Youths in Climate Finance – What Does the Evidence and Practice Tell Us?”
The presentation examined climate finance through 3 interconnected perspectives: The Maze, The Mirror and The Bridge. It explored structural barriers within existing financing mechanisms, the need for young climate actors to strengthen their financial literacy and organizational readiness, and the importance of developing solutions that can be tested, sustained and scaled.
Drawing on practical examples from climate-adaptive agriculture, green enterprises and ecosystem-based adaptation, the discussion emphasized that youth-led climate action requires more than access to conventional grants.
Different solutions demand different financing approaches, including catalytic grants, enterprise financing, partnerships and appropriate intermediary support.
As a step toward addressing these challenges, Plan International Bangladesh announced its upcoming Flexible Funding Mechanism for Youth-Led Climate Solutions, with an official launch planned for early November 2026.
The proposed mechanism seeks to create a more accessible financing pathway for young climate actors, supporting the progression from promising ideas toward tested, sustainable and scalable climate solutions. Further details on its design, eligibility and application procedures will be shared during the official launch.
The event also featured an interactive Access–Barrier–Opportunity Dialogue, providing a platform for young participants and climate finance stakeholders to reflect on measures to improve financing accessibility, strengthen youth readiness and enable greater ownership of climate solutions.
The dialogue reinforced the message that meaningful youth participation in climate action must extend beyond representation in consultations and policy discussions. It requires accessible resources, institutional trust, appropriate financing instruments and sustained investment in young people's capacities to lead.
Through its engagement at RCOY APAC 2026, Plan International Bangladesh reaffirmed its commitment to advancing girls' and youth-led climate action and fostering partnerships that translate young people's climate ambitions into tangible and sustainable outcomes.
