Youth Leadership Summit 2025

Youth Leadership Academy for Gender and Climate Action

BACKGROUND

Plan International recognizes that the climate crisis is an intergenerational and gender injustice. Climate change amplifies the inequality and discrimination experienced by marginalized girls and young women. These girls will feel the greatest impact but will not have the information and resources they need to cope. Plan International supports young people in understanding climate change, its impacts, and how they can adapt.

The Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) for Gender and Climate Action aims to address the challenges posed by climate change while fostering youth-driven initiatives and leadership. Despite their potential to revolutionize conventional practices and propel us toward an inclusive, equitable, and sustainable future, young leaders encounter persistent barriers to meaningful engagement. YLA serves as an action-focused educational platform, empowering young individuals to enhance their critical thinking, knowledge base, skills, and self-assurance in gender and climate advocacy, thus contributing to global impact. This equips them to discern and articulate the interconnectedness and mutual dependencies between the Paris Agreement on Climate Change and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development across five dimensions of sustainable progress: People, Planet, Prosperity, Peace, and Partnership.

After conducting eight youth-led gender-responsive climate action, Youth Leadership Summit will serve as the project’s capstone, showcasing the intervention’s results, amplifying the YLA Ambassadors’ voices, and building collective actions at the regional level to support youth-led and gender-responsive climate actions. The summit will be organized in a hybrid format (online and offline in Jakarta), inviting as many young people as possible.

OBJECTIVES

• Provide a platform for YLA Ambassadors to showcase their impactful gender-responsive climate initiatives in their respective communities.
• Foster connections among youth leaders to exchange insights, lessons learned, and strategies for overcoming challenges in their initiatives.
• Provide a space for dialogue between youth and policymakers, NGOs, and industry leaders to support and sustain youth-led initiatives.

PRE EVENT

A. Road to YLS

• Regular Online Sessions

Utilize YLA’s existing monthly interactive online sessions: The Ignite Corner. These sessions can highlight various gender and climate-related themes, featuring inspiring speakers from youth or partner organizations. These sessions are now set to be open to the public, including youth from the PlaNet community and other youth networks from across five countries, to enhance regional engagement and foster cross-border dialogue in the lead-up to YLS.

• YLA Ambassadors’ Engagement in Regional/National Youth Forums

Encourage YLA Ambassadors to serve as speakers in national or regional sessions/forums, where they can introduce their group projects and discuss country-specific gender and climate issues in relation to their initiatives. These sessions will also serve as a platform to promote the YLS and encourage participants to learn more and attend—either virtually or in person.

• Outreach to Government and Youth-affiliated NGOs

Develop a communication strategy and coordinate visiting schedules to introduce YLA and YLS to relevant government ministries and youth partner organizations across five countries, as part of efforts to strengthen cross-sectoral collaboration and regional youth networks.

• Positioning 8 Youth-led Projects Within the ‘Road to YLS’ Strategy

The eight youth-led seed grant projects can be positioned as part of the “Road to YLS,” serving as key milestones that strengthen the visibility of local youth-led efforts while highlighting the upcoming summit. For example, a project focused on sustainable agriculture could host a youth-led community discussion labeled as part of the “Road to YLS”, where they share local insights, challenges, and potential policy asks that will be brought to the regional stage during YLS.

• Thematic Content Development for Regional and Global Observances

Leverage international observances (e.g. World Environment Day, International Youth Day) by developing engaging digital content that’s aligned with YLS, while amplifying visibility and outreach through strategic promotion.

• Leveraging Relevant Ongoing or Upcoming Projects/Events

Road to YLS will be strategically embedded into existing or upcoming programs or events across five COs aligned with youth, gender, or climate themes, leveraging available platforms for promotion and engagement.

B. Youth Delegates Send-Off & Arrival Celebration

As youth delegates from Vietnam, India, Philippines, and Indonesia make their way to Jakarta, there will be ceremonial send-offs in their home countries and a warm welcome upon arrival in Jakarta a day before the summit. Focal points or persons in charge of coordinating the send-off and welcoming process in each country will be determined and announced later.

MAIN EVENT

• Potential Theme & Focus Areas

1. Youth at the Helm: Navigating Gender and Climate Action – Focuses on youth taking leadership roles in critical global issues.
2. Catalysts for Change: Youth Leadership in Action – Showcases the dynamic contributions of YLA youth as change agents.
3. Unifying Voices, Amplifying Action – Highlights collaboration and collective action fostered through the YLA journey.

• Format

The summit will be held in a hybrid format; by blending online and offline interactions, the summit aims to create an inclusive and dynamic experience for all participants. This approach ensures wider accessibility, allowing participants from different locations to join virtually while also fostering deeper engagement and networking opportunities for those attending in person.

1. Online sessions: Zoom Meeting
2. Offline sessions: At a hotel or venue in Jakarta, Indonesia.

• Duration & Location

Date     :

• Arrival: Saturday, October 11, 2025 (tentative)
• Summit: Sunday, October 12, 2025 (tentative)
• Media Visit: Monday, October 13, 2025 (tentative)
• Departure: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 (tentative)

Summit Time     : 09.00 AM – 05.00 PM Jakarta Time

Venue   : TBD

• Participants

We aim to engage at least 500 offline participants and 100 online participants, prioritizing the presence of youth-led organizations at the forefront of climate action. The summit will also bring together a diverse range of stakeholders, including youth networks, government representatives, philanthropies, academia, journalists, research institutes, and civil society organizations, among others.

• Main Highlights

1. Keynote Session
2. Impact Stage (2 High-level Plenary Sessions)
3. 6 Breakout Zones
4. Youth Action Alley
5. Youth Hub

Main Highlights details

a. Keynote Session: Climate and Gender Intersection

Potential Speaker: A distinguished leader in climate justice and gender equality, a representative from Plan APAC, or an Indonesian government official specializing in Gender and Climate Action in the Asia-Pacific region.

 The keynote session will set the stage for the summit by emphasizing the critical intersection of gender and climate action. The speaker, a prominent leader in climate justice and gender equality, will highlight how climate change disproportionately affects women and marginalized communities while showcasing the transformative power of inclusive leadership.

b. Impact Stage

• Plenary Session 1: Feminist Leadership for Climate Justice

Potential Speakers: Youth Leader, KemenPPPA, Lecturer/Researcher, RF

This session will explore the critical role of feminist leadership in addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing how gender-inclusive approaches lead to more effective and sustainable solutions. The session aims to inspire participants to integrate feminist principles into their leadership, fostering collaborative and intersectional solutions to the climate crisis.

• Plenary Session 2: Youth-Driven Policy & Advocacy

Potential Speakers: Youth Influencer, KLHK, ASEAN, Plan APAC

This session will highlight how young people can influence decision-making processes, navigate policy spaces, and drive impactful advocacy efforts. The session aims to equip participants with knowledge and strategies to engage in policy and advocacy, ensuring that youth perspectives are integrated into climate and gender-related policies.

C. 6 Breakout Zones

• Breakout Session 1: Sustainable Entrepreneurship & Green Jobs

1. Potential Speakers: a corporate sustainability leader, a youth-led community member/leader, and a policy expert/HR specialist.
2. Moderator: YLA Youth Ambassador

This session will explore how businesses, communities, and policies are shaping sustainable economic opportunities, highlighting green jobs, ethical entrepreneurship, and the skills needed for a thriving green economy. The session aims to equip participants with insights and strategies to build sustainable careers and enterprises that drive both environmental and social impact.

• Breakout Session 2: Rethinking Waste and Consumption for Sustainable Lifestyles

1. Potential Speakers: A rural woman leader, a female waste management start up leader or a sustainability influencer, a youth leader from Urban Nexus project.
2. Moderator: YLA Youth Ambassador

This session will dive into how youth can drive sustainable consumption and waste reduction through innovation, advocacy, and everyday choices, with a special highlight on the role of rural women in resource management. Speakers will share insights on circular economy solutions, responsible consumer habits, and community-led waste management efforts. Participants will explore practical ways to reduce their environmental footprint and reimagine a more sustainable lifestyle.

• Breakout Session 3: Youth and Persons with Disabilities in Disaster Preparedness

1. Potential Speakers: A youth from Safe School project, a representative from BMKG or PSBA, and a female disability rights advocate.
2. Moderator: YLA Youth Ambassador

This session will emphasize the importance of including youth and persons with disabilities (PWDs) in disaster resilience efforts and policymaking. It will highlight inclusive disaster risk reduction strategies, accessibility in emergency response, and the role of youth leadership in ensuring no one is left behind in climate and disaster preparedness. Participants will gain insights into adaptive strategies and community-driven solutions to create safer, more resilient societies.

• Breakout Session 4: Youth Mental Health & Activism

1. Potential Speakers: A psychologist from a mental health organization, a youth-led organization leader, and a representative from UNICEF Indonesia.
2. Moderator: YLA Youth Ambassador

This session will explore the intersection of youth activism and mental well-being, addressing the challenges young changemakers face while advocating for climate and gender justice. Speakers will share strategies for managing burnout, building resilience, and fostering supportive communities for activists. The session includes a guided mindfulness exercise or an interactive self-care planning activity to help participants develop practical strategies for maintaining their well-being while engaging in activism.

• Breakout Session 5: Women & Girls in Tech-Driven Climate Solutions

1. Potential Speakers: A youth climate tech innovator, a representative from a clean energy startup, and a female researcher in climate technology.
2. Moderator: YLA Youth Ambassador

This session will explore the intersection of gender and technology, emphasizing how inclusive innovation can drive more equitable and effective climate solutions. Speakers will share insights on emerging climate tech solutions and how young people, especially girls can leverage technology to address environmental challenges. Participants will gain insights into real-world applications of tech-driven climate solutions and opportunities to engage in the growing field of climate innovation.

• Breakout Session 6: Art, Media, and Storytelling in Activism

1. Potential Speakers: A female documentary filmmaker, a social media strategist, and a youth activist using art as advocacy.
2. Moderator: YLA Youth Ambassador

This session will explore how creative expression can drive social and environmental change. Speakers will share how they harness creativity to raise awareness, influence public opinion, and inspire action. Participants will gain insights into using artistic and digital platforms for impactful activism and may engage in a hands-on storytelling exercise.

D. Youth Action Alley

Potential Speaker: Representatives from 8 youth groups of YLA.

This session contains presentations from 8 youth groups showcasing impactful youth-led initiatives from the YLA project across five countries, highlighting key achievements, impact, and lessons learned.

E. Youth Hub

This serves as a dynamic space outside the main hall where participants can connect, learn, and engage through interactive activities. Below are possible engagement events designed to foster meaningful participation beyond the main sessions.

1. Collab Zone/Networking Hub

A space for project showcases, pitching sessions, hands-on demonstrations, and meaningful discussions to foster collaboration and collective action.

2. Game Zone/Creative Corner

An interactive space with games, challenges, and creative activities (painting, murals, visual arts) to make learning about climate action and gender equality engaging.

3. The Vision Wall

A board where participants can share commitments, hopes, and aspirations for a just, equal, and sustainable world.

4. Speed Mentoring

A dynamic, time-limited session where experienced youth leaders share insights on leadership, advocacy, and creating impact.

5. Marketplace Booths

Dedicated space for local and youth-led businesses, social enterprises, and advocacy initiatives.

6. Outdoor Activities

Hands-on experiences like climate walks, mass biking, and eco-actions to connect with nature and take collective climate action.

*Please note that the activities and sessions outlined above are temporarily arranged based on the project team’s initial proposal, incorporating input from youth surveys, and are subject to change. Adjustments will be made as needed, with a detailed rundown to be discussed further.

• Other Potential Speakers

The goal is to ensure diverse representation on the panel by avoiding all-male panels and including at least one speaker from a marginalized community and a person with a disability. Here are some other potential speakers.

1. Plan International APAC
2. The Rockefeller Foundation
3. Country Director of 4 COs (online)
4. Representative of ASEAN
5. Representative of the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and/or the Ministry of Women’s Empowerment and Child Protection (KPPPA).
6. Academic/Lecturer/Researcher from Educational institutions
7. Youth Influencer (preferably someone with a large social media following who actively speaks about climate and gender issues)
8. Youth-led organization leaders (preferably female leaders).

POST EVENT

A. Media Visit

Following the Youth Leadership Summit in Jakarta, a media visit will be conducted to engage with key media partners and relevant institutions. Two youth from Indonesia and two youth from other implementing countries will be selected. This visit aims to amplify the impact of the summit by sharing key messages, insights, and youth-led initiatives with a broader audience.

The media visit will include meetings with leading media outlets such as Kumparan and Kompas, as well as discussions with government agencies like the Ministry of Environment and Forestry (KLHK) and the Ministry of Education and Culture. Additionally, engagements with other relevant institutions and organizations working on gender and climate action will be arranged to foster collaboration and advocacy.

This initiative will serve as an opportunity to strengthen networks, promote youth-led climate solutions, and ensure that key stakeholders remain engaged in advancing gender-responsive climate action.

B. Youth Delegates Send-Off & departure

After the summit concludes, youth delegates will also be given a proper send-off as they return to their home countries. Focal points or persons in charge of coordinating the send-off and welcoming process in each country will be determined and announced later.

TIMELINE

The timeline outlines the key milestones and major activities leading up to the Youth Leadership Summit (YLS), as detailed below.

SCOPE OF WORK

Here are some key components or scopes of work (SOW) that must be included in the Summit. Additional requirements may be further discussed between the YLA Project Team and the event organizer (EO) to ensure smooth implementation and the overall success of the event.

If any components proposed by the EO are deemed not fully aligned with the Summit’s objectives or the project’s needs—taking into account other considerations—the YLA Project Team and Plan Indonesia may take over the procurement process for those specific components separately. In such cases, the EO’s SOW can be adjusted based on discussions and agreements with the YLA Project Team.

ETHICS, SAFEGUARDING CHILDREN AND PROGRAMME PARTICIPANTS, AND PSHEA

Plan International is committed to respecting and protecting the rights of participants in the Youth Leadership Summit, in accordance with our Safeguarding Children and Programme Participants and Preventing Sexual Harassment, Exploitation and Abuse (PSHEA) Policy. Every party involved (staff, speakers, organizing committee, participants, and others) must uphold the highest standards of ethics and child protection, ensuring that all interactions are safe, respectful, and non-discriminatory. Special attention will be paid to the needs of vulnerable groups to facilitate their full and fair participation. Everyone should also ensure that no participant feels pressured or uncomfortable during the summit, providing a supportive environment where everyone can express themselves freely. Any form of harassment, exploitation, or abuse is strictly prohibited and will be addressed immediately. By adhering to our guidelines, we can ensure that the briefing session will be held with integrity, respect, and a strong commitment to safeguarding the rights of all participants.

Vendor Requirements:

1. Applicants must possess experience in organizing events, particularly on youth-focused initiatives.
2. A creative concept for the proposed event should be submitted.
3. A portfolio demonstrating relevant past work is required.
4. The curriculum vitae of the team leader must be included.
5. Please submit a detailed price quote based on the proposed creative concept.
6. Provide a comprehensive company profile that includes the Company Establishment Deed, NPWP, Director’s KTP, a copy of the front page of the account book, and the NIB along with KBLI. Thank you for your attention to these requirements.

Submission of Proposals:

Interested Vendors/EOs are encouraged to submit the proposals with the above requirements by emailing the required documentation to Yayasan.Procurement@plan-international.org. Please include the subject line: ‘RfQ-311_Youth Leadership Summit 2025_Vendor Name’. The deadline for proposal submissions is Thursday, June 19, 2025. We look forward to reviewing your proposals and exploring potential collaborations.