The Green Hydrogen Youth Ambassadors Programme has entered an exciting new phase, with 30 Youth Ambassadors from across Namibia currently developing proposals for community awareness projects that will promote a greater understanding of green hydrogen and its opportunities.
The programme, an initiative of Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, is supported by GIZ through the Energy Partnership in collaboration with the Namibia Green Hydrogen Programme, aimed at positioning youth as multipliers of change in Namibia’s energy transition.
Representing all 14 regions of Namibia, the Youth Ambassadors have been invited to submit proposals for innovative community awareness initiatives. Working in regional teams, they are designing projects that will educate and engage communities on green hydrogen while responding to local needs and opportunities.
Martin Wilkinson, Senior Economic Development Manager: Training and Development at Hyphen Hydrogen Energy, said this phase of the programme is about empowering young people to develop practical ideas that will contribute to public awareness of green hydrogen.
“The proposal development phase allows our Youth Ambassadors to think creatively about how they can engage their communities and make green hydrogen more accessible. We look forward to seeing innovative ideas that will help build awareness and encourage meaningful conversations across Namibia.”
Asellah David of GIZ said the proposal phase reflects the importance of placing young people at the centre of Namibia’s green transition.
“By encouraging Youth Ambassadors to design projects for their own communities, we are supporting youth-led solutions that promote awareness, participation and local ownership of Namibia’s green hydrogen journey. We look forward to seeing these ideas come to life and make a meaningful impact in communities across Namibia.”
For Emmanuela Jossob, a Green Hydrogen Youth Ambassador from the ǁKharas Region, the initiative is an opportunity to help communities better understand green hydrogen and identify where they can participate.
“For me, the value of this undertaking lies in creating platforms for communities to understand green hydrogen and the opportunities it may bring. As Youth Ambassadors, we hope to help people understand where they can fit into the emerging value chain, ask questions, and identify opportunities to participate. In this way, we can turn what may currently feel like a distant opportunity into something communities can actively engage with and take ownership of.”
Once the proposal process has been completed, selected projects will be implemented by the Youth Ambassadors in communities across Namibia.