In the small town of Bomali, nestled between rolling hills, where a group of young people were gathered at the local community center. Their faces were lit with excitement as they huddled around a table covered in sketches, charts, and solar panel models. This was not just any group of teenagers; they were the future leaders of a movement that would change their town—and maybe the world.

These young people were not just confronted by the climate crisis as a distant threat rather, theirs was a present reality. They had grown up hearing about melting ice caps, rising temperatures, and devastating wildfires. Rather than be overwhelmed by the enormity of the problem, they instead saw an opportunity. For them, the transition to a renewable energy was not only a necessity, rather it was an urgent remedy they each wanted to be a part of.

A New Kind of Solar Revolution

It all started when they heard about a certain community solar project—an innovative initiative that will allow groups of people to share in the benefits of a single solar energy installation. Unlike traditional solar panels, which require individual homes to have suitable rooftops, community solar brings clean energy to everyone, including those who lived in shaded areas. This idea excited the young activists. They realized that their community solar was not just going to generate electricity for them; it was also capable of bringing their community together.

With this excitement, they each dove into the project, the more they did, the more they found themselves learning not just about solar technology, but about leadership, teamwork, and the power of change from the grassroots. They began knocking on doors, talking to neighbors, and organizing meetings to explain how the project would work. Some of the townspeople were skeptical at first, given the novelty of this great idea. But the passion and knowledge these young leaders brought to the conversation were so contagious so much so that, soon, more and more residents were signing up to participate.

The Heart of the Movement

One of the leaders, a 4th-year electrical engineering scholar named Kimoni, remembered the moment when the first solar panel was installed. She had spent her entire internship period with the project team, and now, seeing the panel gleaming in the sunlight, she felt a deep sense of accomplishment. But more than that, she felt hope. “This is just the beginning,” she thought. “If we can accomplish this in our small town, we can do it anywhere.”

Kimoni and her friends, some colleagues at the state university, while others just young working professionals who wanted more for their community understood that their work was about more than just electricity. It was about empowering their generation to take control of their future. They wanted to show that young people weren’t just bystanders in the fight against climate change—they were leaders who were finally taking charge of their destiny. They had the energy, the creativity, and the drive to make real, lasting and an impactful change. They were boisterous with high expectations, but mostly, with the joy of seeing the reward of their own labour.

Overcoming Challenges Together

But this journey was not going to be without its challenges. As they expanded the project, they encountered difficult questions. How would their town’s farmers adapt to new, sustainable practices? What would happen to workers in nearby fossil fuel industries? And how could they ensure that the benefits of their solar project were shared fairly among everyone in the community?

These were tough conversations the group knew they couldn’t avoid. They reached out to experts – some university professors and others in the huge energy companies within their community. They held community forums and listened carefully to these experts as they shared their concerns. They also looked to other communities for inspiration, like a village in Tanzania where young people were leading a similar solar initiative and a group in Cambodia that had successfully trained hundreds of youths in renewable energy.

Kimoni and her team knew that the energy transition wasn’t just about technology—it was about people. It was about ensuring that no one was left behind as they moved toward a greener future. They advocated for fair retraining programs for displaced farmers, and pushed for policies that would make solar energy affordable for low-income families, individuals, and small businesses.

A Vision for the Future

As the sun set on their small town, the glow from the new solar panels began to light up the streets. Kimoni stood with her friends, watching as the lights flickered on one after the other. She felt a sense of pride, but also a deep responsibility. This wasn’t just a victory for their community; it was a message to the world.

“The future is ours to shape,” Kimoni said quietly, as the others nodded in agreement. They knew that their work wasn’t finished—not by a long shot. But they also knew that they had the power to make a difference. They were part of something bigger than themselves, a movement that was spreading across towns, cities, and countries, led by young people just like them.

And so, with determination in their hearts and the sun on their side, they set their sights on the next challenge. After all, the future wouldn’t wait, and neither would they.

Feature story: By Kelechi C. Nwogu

YES-DC proposal of leveraging young talents towards a sustainable future.