II91-Shaping Ocean Leaders: Sustainable Development Skills for SIDS Youth ??

We are partnering with?Our Shared Ocean?to offer a virtual training course in Sustainable Development for post-graduate students from Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The 7-week online course,?Shaping Ocean Leaders: Sustainable Development Skills for SIDS Youth?will equip participants with relevant and practical skills that can be applied to their current studies.?There will be a fully funded opportunity to attend the Global Sustainable Islands Summit in St. Kitts and Nevis!

What are the requirements?

• You must be enrolled in a relevant post-graduate course at an existing SIDS institution.
• Be a citizen of the United Nations’ list of?39 Small Island Developing States or the 18 Regional Commissions?(please see list?here).
• Additional requirements on the form below.

How will this project work?

• Submit your application by?March 16th.?The Island Innovation team will evaluate your submissions, select candidates & more.?
• Selected students will have?free access to the full online course?and?top participants will attend #GSIS2025 to network with high-level policymakers, thought leaders, academics, & other youth professionals.

APPLY BEFORE MARCH 16TH, 2025.

The sea is swallowing an African island

Nyangai Island in Sierra Leone has shrunk drastically in a decade, with rising waves destroying trees and homes. Discover how residents are coping with this crisis. The Economist

Vancouver Island community puts beavers to work on climate risks

The Homalco First Nation on Vancouver Island is restoring wetlands to climate-proof their community while preserving culture and boosting sustainability. Learn more about their innovative approach. Canada's National Observer

Register for the last webinar: Climate Finance for Subnational Island Jurisdictions and Overseas Territories

In an increasingly complex international funding environment for sustainable development, climate adaptation, and disaster relief,?Sub-National Island Jurisdictions (SNIJs) inhabit a precarious gray area, as Devex’s Jesse Chase-Lubitz highlights.

SNIJs are territories & countries attached to a central governing authority, but can have varying levels of autonomy - such as Puerto Rico (USA), Zanzibar (Tanzania), Greenland (Denmark), or New Caledonia (France), to name a few. These communities rely heavily on funding pathways from their overarching authority, as their status can rule them out of consideration from alternative financing sources.

REGISTER HERE

Youth Shaping the Future of Island Resilience

The webinar?Youth Climate Advocacy: Shaping the Future of Island Resilience?resonated with impactful stories from youth-led initiatives, featuring experts Naya Sena, Daniel Caceres, Carla I. Gautier Castro, Ashley Lashley, and Aquanjé Robinson and Aquanjé Robinson. Their discussion yesterday focused on?practical strategies for young islanders to drive climate policy and sustainable practices, highlighting the importance of?intergenerational equity, ecosystem integrity, and culturally appropriate solutions.

WATCH THE RECORDING

Island Youth Forum at GSIS 2025

We are particularly excited about our upcoming?Island?Youth Forum?taking place in Saint Kitts and Nevis this May. This forum convenes young professionals to promote constructive dialogue and collaboration, enabling them to leverage opportunities for sustainable growth and innovation.

WATCH THE VIDEO

This week's highlights

Vietnam’s island doctors: Mission of compassion

Co To Island’s upgraded medical center now provides advanced care, reducing the need for costly mainland trips. Discover how it’s transforming healthcare for island residents.

Micronesia: Activists push for Chuuk islands’ independence

Activists in Chuuk are pushing for independence from Micronesia, questioning reliance on the US. Explore the debate and who could step in to support the islands. Learn more.

More island stories

• Combu Island, in the state of Pará (Brazil), faces negative impacts of tourism before COP30
• Tokelau’s young turtle carers
• ‘Game changer’: Drones bringing medicine to remote Mayo island
• Maui’s Green Revolution: Electric Buses Steer Island Towards A Sustainable Future
• Cora Richardson-Hodge elected as first female Premiere of Anguilla
• Government adopts innovative new strategy to sell nation’s land: ‘This is our initiative, and we are proud of it’

Thank you for reading