In 2024, two innovative youth-led projects were implemented in South Africa and Colombia with the goal of building flood-resilient communities. Selected from over 30 proposals in the context of the Associated Programme on Flood Management (APFM) - Integrated Drought Management Programme (IDMP) competition for youth-led initiatives, “Water from a Rock” and “Collaborative Mapping for Flooding Resilience” showed the importance and power of youth engagement in disaster preparedness.
Water from a Rock
Floods are among Africa's deadliest natural disasters. Just in 2023, over 11,000 people tragically lost their lives in Libya after two dams collapsed due to flooding. Several other African nations, including Mozambique, Rwanda, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, also faced severe flood-related casualties.
In response to this growing threat, Youthmappers from the University of Pretoria developed “Water from a Rock,” a project designed to raise awareness and help communities prepare for floods. The initiative focused on:
- Raising awareness and educating local youth about flood risks and preparedness.
- Mapping vulnerable communities which are at risk of flooding.
- Developing a geofencing-based app designed to notify users when they enter high-risk flood zones.
YouthMappers began by surveying students to assess their level of awareness regarding flood risks and then distributed information packages on what to do in case of flood, including information on flood alerts, emergency protocols, and contacts.
They also mapped of the area around the Umgeni River and Tongaat to identify emergency response routes, waterways, and infrastructure. A flood risk assessment to evaluate the extent of damage caused by floods in various scenarios was carried out. Finally, an application prototype was developed to notify users entering high-risk areas.
However, the project wasn’t without challenges. Limited computing power forced the team to focus on smaller regions, around 20,000 km², rather than larger areas. Despite this, the team looks forward to continuing the project in the long term. As they look ahead, Youthmappers plan to expand the notification system to cover more areas at risk of flooding, continuing their work to protect communities from future disasters.
Collaborative Mapping for Flooding Resilience
In Medellín, Colombia, the area surrounding Iguaná Creek has been affected by floods since 1880. Recognizing the need for a community-driven solution, YouthMappers chapters SAGEMA and GeoLab launched the “Collaborative Mapping for Flooding Resilience” project, aimed at empowering local communities in flood preparedness.
Youthmappers held workshops to teach residents how to use mapping tools like OpenStreetMap and Kobo Toolbox, to identify high-risk flood areas and improve the region’s infrastructure to mitigate future flooding. One of the key outcomes of this project was the creation of a cartographic information foundation that didn't exist before. The data collected highlighted high-risk areas, critical infrastructure, and the need for improved drainage and flood mitigation measures. The Sistema de Alerta Temprana de Medellín (SIATA) was also involved in the project to initiate a process of engagement with the community and explore the use of the collected information for supporting and implementing an early warning system.
By leveraging local knowledge and involving youth in decision-making, this project contributed to fostering a shared sense of responsibility and community.
Empowering Youth to Tackle Climate Risks
Both projects underscore the immense potential of youth-led initiatives to create meaningful change. By involving young people in disaster preparedness and environmental management, these projects fostered a sense of ownership and responsibility in both communities. However, they also highlighted some of the challenges youth-led projects often face, including limited access to funding and technology.
For these initiatives to have a lasting impact, it’s crucial to continue providing youth with the tools they need, from technical expertise to sustained financial support. If we truly want to empower young people to tackle climate risks and build resilient communities, we need to ensure their voices are heard in decision-making spaces. With the right resources, these youth-driven projects can not only transform their communities but also serve as models for others around the world facing similar climate challenges. The future of flood resilience may just lie in the hands of the youth.
More information on the APFM/IDMP Youth Competition and the two winning projects can be found here.