The Québec-Africa Climathon brings together 22 students from 13 French-speaking African cities, with support from European partners such as FAO, Climate-KIC, and the University of Lausanne. It aims to train and engage youth in climate and food resilience, while building a solidarity network among African cities. A second phase is planned for 2026.
Côte d’Ivoire
Climathon Quebec-Afrique
Since 2020, the FAO Green Cities Initiative has been helping cities in the Global South design and implement actions to improve the health and well-being of residents through green infrastructure.
An initiative of FAO Initiative Villes Vertes
Overview of the project
The goal is to inspire green vocations and climate action among young urban Africans through collective intelligence, using the food and climate challenges of the city of Abidjan as a theoretical model.
Ongoing research
Octobre 2024 - Mai 2025
The program trained 37 young people over four months on climate issues. More than 25 testimonies about the resilience of their cities were collected, with support from 13 mentors and numerous partners, including CIRAD, IRD, FAO, and several Ivorian institutions. The March 2025 Climathon aims to foster the emergence of around ten green business projects with local impact.
Launched in October 2024, the initiative brought together 22 African students to explore the climate challenges of their cities. A transect exercise was carried out in each city, combining field observation and citizen interviews. In March 2025, during the Climathon, these students will join 15 Québec students for a climate solutions competition. Around ten teams will develop business projects with full business models, aiming for a final award.
Caisses Desjardins (https://www.desjardins.com/) et Université Laval
About the
organisation
organisation
Lancée en 2020, l’initiative Villes Vertes FAO soutient les villes du Sud, notamment en Afrique, dans l’adoption d’infrastructures vertes pour faire face au changement climatique. Elle vise à mobiliser les jeunes et à renforcer l’action locale. En 2023, un webinaire a été coorganisé avec Climate Chance lors du Climathon Sahel.
Other partners / supporters
<p>Université Laval<br /> Université de Lausanne<br /> Climate KIC<br /> Institut Agro Montpellier<br /> LOJIQ (Les Offices jeunesse internationaux du Québec)<br /> IFDD (L’Institut de la francophonie pour le développement durable)<br /> FAO</p>