Republic Islamic of Mauritania Youth Climate Movement is an NGO dedicated to improve the quality of life of Mauritanian young people by facilitating their participation in the development process, personal development and promoting their full involvement in all matters pertaining to the environment and sustainable development. The organization promotes education and training, community empowerment as tools to set sustainable development as the main objective for our future leaders. RIMYCM is leading the civil society platform for environmental and sustainable development issues in Mauritania. It is responsible for creating appropriate spaces for young people to participate in the design, promotion of progressive, equitable, and sustainable development in Mauritania. RIMYCM have about 90 members, and have five local branches across the country.

RIM YCM seeks to determine the most effective role it can play in recognizing, supporting, and encouraging youth involvement in environmental excellence. It aims to fit the needs and interests of Mauritanian youth, meet AYCM vision, mission and values, and creates synergies with existing programs and organizations.

Recognizing that global warming is unquestionably occurring and understanding that the vulnerability of the country to its impacts, RIMYCM intend to initiate activities that will contribute towards assisting Mauritanian to address the impacts of climate change. RIMYCM aims to cultivate skills and confidence in Mauritanian youth, enabling them to lead a transition in our homes, schools, and communities to an environmentally sustainable lifestyle. We emphasizes practical ways that students can achieve change and presents only up-to-date, unbiased scientific information. Our vision is to inform, inspire, and unite youth working together for sustainability and conservation in their communities and across the country.

RIMYCM also recognizes that it’s important that the youth, be provided with the opportunities to assume their critical role in this process. These comprise participative awareness activities, training of youth leaders, more capacity building, more information’s, and more implication in the lobbying process.

This last year’s RIM YOUTH CLIMATE MOVEMENT has developed skills for action – An understanding of environmental issues, and building the knowledge and skills to resolve issues of concern, is a key aspect of RIM youth environmental engagement. Action projects are a growing feature of many environmental education programs and skill building sessions: Our latest actions are:

Educating and informing projects that teach people about issues, such as writing articles, creating posters, and hosting workshops and events: Environmental School Contest 2014 & 2015
Efforts are focused on trying to change habits, supporting local farmers and businesses: Green Gala Oscars 2015
Political action: learning to organize and create change at the school, community and government levels. Mauritanian Climate and Sustainability Forum 2015
Involvement and participation in public debates and meetings, writing letters, petitions, media releases, and organizing campaigns: INDC PROCESS; PRE COP etc
Projects such as creating a community garden or school gardens and others. GREEN SCHOOLS
Environmental science projects: projects such as environmental research, stream monitoring and mapping: Renewable Energy projects; Neighborhoods ECOCENTRES; Green Building processes;
Lifestyles choices projects that encourage environmentally sound decisions such as walking,

We rely on Meaningful work to empower youth to engage in work that makes a difference. A shift in emphasis from activities and outputs to outcomes and impacts adds value to the work and helps ensure that youth are addressing the root causes, not the symptoms of environmental issues. This perspective means that, instead of collecting litter, youth might create and deliver a community anti-litter campaign. We think that Effective programs must be inclusive, and engage a diverse cross-section of youth. The programs must be safe places for youth of all backgrounds to be involved. It refers to including a range of evolving opportunities for youth and giving them responsibility. Nurturing relationships and fostering self-confidence, empowering learners, and offering support. Walking the talk with strong message from our youth-driven environmental organizations.