YouthADAPT is an annual competition that invites young entrepreneurs and micro, small, and medium enterprises in Africa to submit innovative solutions and business ideas that have the potential to drive climate change adaptation and resilience across the continent.

Through YouthADAPT, the AAAP aims to inspire and support the commercialisation of climate change adaptation solutions, driven by African youth entrepreneurs. The YouthADAPT Challenge is open to solutions targeted at climate change adaptation and increasing resilience. 

Solutions can represent:

• An adaptation solutions business that has not been scaled and is not in widespread use
• An existing resilience and adaptation solutions business or product
• A commercially viable means to raise awareness or scale uptake of specific adaptation solutions.

The second edition of the African Youth Adaptation Solutions (YouthADAPT) Challenge was launched in September 2022. Winners will receive a business grant of up to $100,000 and the opportunity to further develop their ventures through business support and acceleration.

The YouthADAPT Challenge aims to support youth-led enterprises to accelerate and scale-up innovative solutions for climate adaptation and resilience. The solutions target key environmental, social, and economic sectors affected by climate change, with a clear value proposition to scale up for greater impact and to create specified direct jobs.

YouthADAPT aims to strengthen inclusive growth and broaden investment and economic opportunities for youth in Africa through entrepreneurial skills development by providing training, mentorship, and financing to youth-led businesses (50% women-owned). The first edition of the awards was launched on 06 September 2021.

• Provide a financial contribution to cover the cost of program implementation and 50% of grant funding 
• Participate in project missions and field visits to review progress with select beneficiary enterprises
• Support the project team to provide clarity on climate change adaptation and resilience in the training component, including tracking the creation of adaptation jobs
• Coordinate project monitoring and evaluation.

• The most innovative youth-owned enterprises on the continent are scaled up 
• The viability of selected businesses is improved, to help sustain their impact on climate change adaptation
• 50% of the selected businesses are led by women.
• Young innovators and MSMEs equipped with customised business development skills and resources. 
• The short-term growth of youth-owned enterprises is supported, with links to private equity and loan products for longer term growth. 
• Expansion of partnership, knowledge sharing, exchange and learning through a network of youth entrepreneurs in Africa.

• Inclusive growth, investment and economic opportunities for youth;
• Adaptation, innovation and jobs integrated and for jobs;