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National and local economies globally, continue to experience multiple socioeconomic shocks arising from and resulting in an exacerbation of rising costs of living, unemployment, inequality, climate-related emergencies, among other challenges that exist in our world today. We have witnessed youths consistently rise up to the occasion with monumental contributions towards global economic recovery.

Attaining socioeconomic sustainability in these times is predicated on a just green transition. With a proven track record of substantial development contributions, investing in youth-led solutions presents a viable opportunity for measurable progress.

This year’s global Youth Day observance is themed Green Skills for Youth: Towards a Sustainable World. With a focus on highlighting the role of young people in coming together to amplify engagement and leadership in all areas of decision making and action, especially in creating an environmentally sustainable and climate friendly world. It also marks the 25th anniversary of the UN resolution proclaiming August 12th as the International Youth Day.

The GreenMeIRETI Fund has been established in celebration and recognition of the vital and invaluable role of youths in the actualization of sustainable development.

The GreenMeIRETI (GMI) Fund is the first Green Economy & Climate Action Impact Investment Fund in the world, mobilized and sponsored by a sitting member of a National Parliament. The GreenMeIRETI Fund is a strategic response by Senator Ireti Kingibe’s 2RUHOPE Development Initiative to both the urgency for climate action in the African region, and also the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) ‘Parliaments for the Planet’ Campaign – which calls on every Parliamentary Representative across the globe to become an active champion for climate action and a just green transition.

With a pledged $200,000 (USD), the GreenMeIRETI Fund is a strategic Green Impact Investment Fund positioned to play a vital role in accelerating the transition towards a greener and more sustainable economy. The fund serves as a catalyst for green innovation and technology.

By providing financial support to youth and women-led sustainability and green growth-oriented startups and projects, it encourages the development of cutting-edge solutions to environmental problems. These innovations are expected to contribute towards the boost of more efficient renewable energy sources, sustainable agricultural practices, and advancements in waste management, among others.

Investors are increasingly recognizing the importance of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors in their decision-making. By supporting green initiatives and enabling responsible investment practices., the GreenMeIRETI Fund sets an example for other investment vehicles, encouraging a shift towards more environmentally conscious and sustainable investments across the financial landscape.

The GreenMEIRETI Fund promotes job creation and economic growth. As green projects and businesses receive funding, they expand and create employment opportunities in the green economy. This, in turn, contributes to the overall economic growth and societal well-being.

With a focus on financing projects aligned with global and regional targets of the Paris Agreement and the African Union Climate Change and Resilient Development Strategy, the GreenMeIRETI Fund is situated to facilitate the achievement of Nigeria’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and empower grassroots-based, impact-oriented MSMEs through the disbursing of Impact Investment Grants.

As a powerful tool to drive sustainable development, spur green innovation and combat climate change, the GreenMeIRETI Fund is structured to run a two-pronged impact investment track for youth-led and women-led eco-innovation solutions, providing an Impact Investment Grant of $5,000 to each selected awardee in both tracks (youth-driven and women-driven).

By mobilizing capital towards environmentally beneficial projects, this fund serves as a force for positive change, leading the way towards a greener and more resilient nation.

To apply or find more information, please visit www.greenmeireti.org

The International Day for the World’s Indigenous People is marked on August 9th every year. It is a day set aside to encourage the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples, as well as celebrate these communities and their knowledge.

Indigenous Peoples represent the greater part of the world’s cultural diversity. They speak an overwhelming majority of the world’s estimated 7,000 languages and represent 5,000 different cultures. While indigenous peoples are recognized as the stewards of the major part of the world’s biological, cultural and linguistic diversity, they remain a disproportionately underrepresented and marginalized segment of society.

This year’s observance prioritizes three (3) crosscutting focal areas - Climate Action and the Green Transition, Mobilizing for Justice and Intergenerational connections, constituting the theme Indigenous Youth as Agents of Change for Self-determination.

Among these three focal areas, intergenerational connection plays a pivotal role regardless of the challenge of the day, in promoting shared and sustainable progress across indigenous communities.

Intergenerational connection is crucial for advancing indigenous communities’ rights and enabling inclusive development. By sharing traditional knowledge, wisdom, and cultural values across generations, a resilient continuum is formed, enriching community identity and self-determination. This connection empowers youth with ancestral insights while elders benefit from fresh perspectives, ensuring holistic decision-making and sustainable progress. Resulting in a synergy which ensures sustainable practices, preserves indigenous identity, and addresses modern challenges. By bridging generations, indigenous communities fortify their voice, amplify advocacy, and collaboratively craft holistic strategies, safeguarding rights and enabling inclusive development that respects heritage while embracing progress.

In line with the recognition that increased representation and participation of Indigenous communities is crucial for inclusive development, we are pleased to announce the Special Indigenous Community Engagement Liaison Program of Senator Ireti Kingibe’s 2RUHOPE Development Initiative.

The Indigenous Community Engagement Liaison acts as a point of contact, advocate, and ambassador to ensure that development activities and programs align with the interests and aspirations of the community.

There are nine (9) ethnic tribes that collectively constitute the indigenous people of the Federal Capital Territory - Amwamwa, Bassa, Egbira, Gade, Ganagana, Gbagyi, Gbari, Gwandara, and Koro. The Special Indigenous Community Engagement Liaison Program seeks to select a total of 27 representatives (liaisons) - three (3) from each indigenous community, who will play a crucial role in facilitating effective communication, collaboration, and understanding between indigenous communities and external stakeholders.

This role is primarily focused on bridging cultural gaps, building relationships, and ensuring that indigenous perspectives, knowledge, and interests are respected and integrated into decision-making processes. The liaison acts as a vital link between the indigenous community and the wider world, advocating for the community's needs, concerns, and rights.

The mandate of an Indigenous Community Engagement Liaison is multifaceted, requiring a deep understanding of both indigenous cultural contexts and external stakeholder dynamics. By acting as a bridge between the two, this role helps ensure that indigenous communities are respected, heard, empowered, and that they have a meaningful voice in decisions that affect their lives and territories, contributing to more equitable and sustainable outcomes for all.

For more information, please visit www.2ruhope.org or www.senatoriretikingibe.com