Youth livelihood Pathways for a Just Transition (Session 2)

This session examines why climate and just transition ambitions are not consistently translating into real, durable livelihood opportunities for young people. Rather than focusing on success stories or high-level commitments, the discussion takes a systems perspective – interrogating where execution breaks down, how decisions are made, and what design choices determine who benefits and who is excluded. Through a structured exchange with sector experts, the two sessions aim to surface concrete bottlenecks, missed opportunities, and high-leverage shifts required to unlock youth-inclusive delivery. At the heart of this conversation is a defining global challenge: over the coming decade, more than 800 million young people in developing economies are expected to enter the workforce, as these economies undergo rapid ecological, social, and economic transitions. Without intentional alignment with livelihood pathways, these transitions risk excluding young people from meaningful participation and opportunity. This makes it essential to examine how just transition principles can translate into real, inclusive economic pathways. This conversation is being convened by CatalystYouth Global, in collaboration with the SMILE4ACE Project — an initiative within the Catalyst Now network — through the dialogue series Youth Livelihood Pathways for a Just Transition.