Timor-Leste Youth Empowered for Climate Action and Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship

"Four-Day YECAP Bootcamp Equips 50 Young Timorese with Skills to Lead in Renewable Energy and Climate Action"

Special guests, including government representatives, development partners, and UNDP officials, pose for a group photo with all 50 participants of the YECAP Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp in Dili.

Dili, Timor-Leste - August 12, 2025 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Timor-Leste, in collaboration with the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) and partners, officially launched a four-day Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp designed to empower young Timorese with the skills, knowledge, and networks needed to lead in renewable energy entrepreneurship and climate action.

The event, held in Dili from August 12–15, 2025, brings together 50 young participants aged 18–35, including local renewable energy technicians trained by the Pacific Green Transformation (GX) Project, engineering students from the National University of Timor-Leste (UNTL), and youth leaders from organizations such as GERHANA, Rotaract Club of Dili, Juventude Hadomi Natureza, RYLA TL, Youth Community Care, Laudato Si’ Movement TL, Sustainable Ocean Alliance TL, and the Don Bosco Training Centre Fatumaca.

The YECAP Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, held at Hotel Novo Turismo in Dili, brought together diverse participants, including young leaders, representatives from relevant government institutions, and students from the National University of Timor-Leste.

The launch was attended by Dr. Marito Ferreira, President of the Board of Directors of Electricidade de Timor-Leste, E.P. (EDTL, E.P.), representing H.E. the Minister of Public Works and the Secretary of State for Water; Ms. Yuki Sakai, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste, representing H.E. Tetsuya Kimura, Ambassador of Japan; Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Resident Representative in Timor-Leste; and representatives from civil society and the private sector.

UNDP Resident Representative in Timor-Leste, Mrs. Katyna Argueta, delivers her opening remarks at the YECAP Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, emphasizing the vital role of young people in driving climate action and renewable energy innovation.

In her remarks, Ms. Katyna Argueta, UNDP Resident Representative, emphasized the urgency of climate action and the transformative role of young people: “Young people are not just victims of climate crises - they are also the drivers of change. This bootcamp is more than just a programme; it’s a movement. It will equip young people with the skills to address climate challenges, support youth-led startups offering real solutions, and empower them to influence the renewable energy sector at every level. The climate crisis is our challenge, but youth-led innovation is our opportunity.”

Ms. Yuki Sakai, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste, delivers her speech at the YECAP Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, reaffirming Japan’s commitment to supporting climate resilience, renewable energy, and youth leadership in Timor-Leste.

Representing the Ambassador of Japan, Ms. Yuki Sakai, Deputy Head of Mission at the Embassy of Japan in Timor-Leste, reaffirmed Japan’s commitment to supporting climate resilience and youth leadership: “It is my great pleasure to be here today at the opening of the YECAP Bootcamp, an outstanding initiative dedicated to equipping young Timorese with the tools and knowledge necessary to drive meaningful change in climate action and entrepreneurship. Under the Pacific Green Transformation Project, funded with 5.78 million USD from Japan, we have brought solar-powered lighting to 1,000 households, provided 1,000 clean cooking stoves, installed 15 solar-powered ICT labs in schools, and solarized health posts. This bootcamp is a vital component of that effort, and we believe your innovative ideas will help shape a sustainable future for Timor-Leste.”

Dr. Marito Ferreira, President of the Board of Directors of Electricidade de Timor-Leste, E.P. (EDTL, E.P.), delivers his remarks at the YECAP Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, highlighting the government’s priorities and opportunities for youth in the renewable energy sector.

Representing the Ministry of Public Works, Dr. Marito Ferreira highlighted the government’s renewable energy priorities: “On behalf of the Ministry of Public Works, the Government has a plan for investment in renewable energy, which is also aligned with the IX Constitutional Government’s program that places strong focus on renewable energy. There are opportunities to explore future projects related to renewable energy, and the role of youth in these projects is important. Young people can learn, get directly involved, and even develop their own businesses related to solar PV and other renewable energy projects. Our plan is to transition from diesel-based energy to renewable energy, in line with our National Strategic Development Plan.”

Over the next four days, participants will engage in training sessions on climate change, renewable energy, entrepreneurship, and green jobs. They will take part in peer-to-peer learning, hands-on prototyping, and mentorship with experts, culminating in a final pitching session where teams present their clean energy business ideas to a panel of judges from government, private sector, and civil society.

Dinh-Long Pham, Youth Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Coordinator from UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, facilitates a session at the YECAP Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, guiding participants through practical exercises on entrepreneurship, innovation, and renewable energy solutions.

Led by Dinh-Long Pham, Youth Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation Coordinator from UNDP Bangkok Regional Hub, the bootcamp features fireside chats with renewable energy entrepreneurs, practical workshops, and activities designed to strengthen business acumen and innovation skills.

Women youth participants actively engage in the YECAP Climate Education–Entrepreneurship Bootcamp, demonstrating strong interest and commitment to expanding their knowledge and skills in renewable energy, climate action, and entrepreneurship.

Expected outcomes include increased understanding of climate change and renewable energy among participants, strengthened entrepreneurial and business development skills, creation of youth-led business ideas addressing local climate and energy challenges, and enhanced collaboration between youth networks, private sector, and public institutions.

The YECAP Bootcamp is part of UNDP’s ongoing commitment to supporting youth leadership, promoting renewable energy adoption, and fostering inclusive, sustainable development in Timor-Leste.

This article was originally published on UNDP Timor Leste  here.