About Us
LAYCS was created in 2023 to address the barriers that Black, Indigenous and People of Colour youth from Latin America continue to face in international climate policy spaces.
LAYCS was created in 2023 to address the barriers that Black, Indigenous and People of Colour youth from Latin America continue to face in international climate policy spaces.
As Black, Indigenous and People of Colour youth from Latin America, we had experienced the barriers ourselves. We realised the problem wasn't a lack of talent, but a lack of access, support and spaces where we could show up as ourselves.
So, in 2023, we created LAYCS.
What began as a scholarship has grown into a community of young climate leaders from across Latin America, accompanying them before, during and after international climate negotiations. After three years, we saw that many of our scholars wanted to continue shaping climate policy, but were without the support needed to do so sustainably.
In 2026, we launched the LAYCS Fellowship to help alumni deepen their expertise, build long-term careers in climate policy and continue leading in the spaces where decisions are made.
The purpose of international climate policy is to respond to the realities of people living with the climate crisis. Those realities should shape the decisions being made.
To accompany Black, Indigenous and People of Colour youth from Latin America as they navigate international climate policy, providing the support, knowledge and opportunities they need to influence decision-making while remaining rooted in their communities.
A future where international climate policy is shaped by the lived realities, knowledge and leadership of the communities it exists to serve.
Brazil
Alicia started working in climate policy at the age of 17 and has been involved in the UNFCCC process for nearly a decade. Her work focuses on the intersection of leadership, racial justice and international climate policy. Before co-founding LAYCS, she coordinated international delegations to COP and supported local activists to engage in global decision-making. At LAYCS, she leads the organisation's strategy, partnerships and fundraising, working to turn the organisation's vision of equity into practice.
Colombia
Ati is an Indigenous Arhuaco leader and political scientist from the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta. Her work connects Indigenous knowledge, territorial rights and international climate policy. At LAYCS, she ensures the organisation remains grounded in the realities and perspectives of the communities it exists to serve.
Germany
Clara is a lawyer with expertise in international climate policy. She has co-founded several organizations and projects focused on climate justice and on increasing the participation of marginalized groups. In LAYCS, she leads the organization's policy work including capacity-building and mentorship for scholars and fellows on effective advocacy of UNFCCC negotiations with a focus on Adaptation and Just transition.
Impact report
Discover how LAYCS delegates are actively shaping local policies and national delegations.
FAQ
Applications for the LAYCS Scholarship open once a year and are announced on our social media channels and through partner networks. Keep an eye on our Instagram and LinkedIn, or write to info@laycs.org to be notified when the next call opens.
The Scholarship is a one-year program that prepares scholars to participate in UN climate negotiations for the first time, with capacity building, fully funded participation and language justice support. The Fellowship, launched in 2026, is the next step: it accompanies a small group of alumni as they deepen their expertise and build long-term careers in climate policy.
LAYCS supports young Black, Indigenous and People of Colour leaders from across Latin America who are engaged in climate action in their communities. Each call for applications details the specific criteria for that cohort.
Yes. We publish our policy briefings to make negotiation spaces more accessible to the wider youth movement. You are welcome to read, download and share them — and to reach out via info@laycs.org if you have questions or feedback.
