How can young people turn climate knowledge, evidence and lived experiences into messages that inspire action and influence decision-making?
This question will take centre stage in the next session of the Changemakers for Agri-Food Action 2026 series, taking place on 9 October 2026, from 15:00–16:00 CEST, online via Zoom.
The session, titled “Strategic Communication for Advocacy: Powerful Messages to Drive Climate Mitigation,” will equip young changemakers with practical communication skills to strengthen their advocacy on climate action, agriculture and food systems.
Changemakers for Agri-Food Action is a YPARD webinar series launched in 2024 to equip young people and youth movements with the tools, resources and strategic knowledge needed to engage effectively in major international policy processes. In 2026, the series focuses on the synergies among the Rio Conventions and their relevance to agrifood systems, helping young people understand the connections between climate change, biodiversity loss and land degradation and promote integrated, agroecological solutions. The series also creates a space for young people to strengthen their leadership and contribute meaningfully to policy implementation and decision-making.
Good ideas do not create change if they are not understood, heard or communicated to the right people.
Strategic communication can help young people transform their knowledge, experiences and solutions into clear and compelling messages that generate dialogue and influence decisions. For young advocates working on agriculture, food systems and climate action, this means knowing how to communicate with different audiences, build persuasive narratives and use the right communication channels.
The upcoming session will therefore move beyond simply sharing information. Participants will learn how to communicate with purpose , connecting the right message to the right audience at the right time.
The interactive session will be facilitated by Astrid Peraza, Community & Action Program Storytelling & Content Officer, and Daniela Regalado, Social Media Consultant at the Global Landscape Forum. Participants will explore the foundations of effective advocacy communication, including setting clear campaign goals, developing strong narratives and identifying the people and institutions that can influence change. A practical power-mapping exercise will help participants explore the question: “Who has the power to influence the change we want to see?” The session will then move to campaign goal-setting, helping participants clarify what they want to achieve, why it matters and how communication can support their advocacy objectives. Through examples of successful campaigns, participants will also examine what makes advocacy communication effective and brainstorm ideas for future campaigns.
The session responds to a growing need for young people to not only participate in conversations on climate and food systems, but to communicate their solutions confidently and influence the decisions that shape their future. By strengthening skills in strategic communication, audience identification, power mapping, message development and campaign planning, the session will help young changemakers increase the reach and impact of their advocacy. When young people can turn evidence into a message, and a message into action, their ideas have greater potential to influence policies, practices and food-system transformation. The session is organized by YPARD on behalf of the GIZ Global Project “Ambitious Climate Contributions in Agrifood Systems” (ClimA), commissioned by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). It contributes to ClimA’s work to empower young people and youth organizations to strengthen their advocacy capacities and engage effectively in dialogue and decision-making on climate action in agriculture and food systems.
.png)
Name
Organization
Designation