We recently shared updates on how we were preparing to experience a rich, intense and colorful month of March, with various power shift events/workshops/gatherings being launched in various places of the Africa-Arab region.

On the 6th to 9th of March, a three-day workshop was held in Egypt where the fight against coal is becoming taken seriously. This is the first political campaign in the region clearly targeting coal and it is getting lots of momentum beyond Egypt borders.

Participants at the Power Shift launching workshop in Cotonou, Benin

In West Africa, the campaign kicked off on March 12th with the first workshops being simultaneously held in Abidjan, Cotonou, Lomé and Niamey. About 100 participants attended the workshops with animated traditional entertainment, especially in Lomé. The campaign entitled ‘Stand up for Access to Clean Energy’ seeks to empower youth and communities to engage policy makers on key issues of access to renewable sources of energy.

On the 18th and 19th, 60 activists from all provinces of Burundi will be attending a Power Shift Summit in Bujumbura. They will be trained on how to engage traditional and non-traditional actors in the fight against climate change. The focus is on adaptation efforts and advocacy for broader adoption of renewable energy.

The National Power Shift Camping Forum in Kenya will be taking place from 25th to 28th March. In collaboration with the various national climate change networks, the event will gather 120 young climate change activists. They will be learning practical skills on climate adapted solutions and mobilization.  It will also be an opportunity to network, share experience and strategize for coordinated campaigns for the next few months.

All these events are bringing lots of excitement, energies and passions for well coordinated and focused actions that build a stronger climate movement.