The Yumi Rise Collective is a flagship 9-months leadership program led by Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC). It is designed to equip young Pacific leaders with the legal, policy, and advocacy tools needed to drive climate justice at national and international levels, specifically focusing on the implementation of the ICJ Advisory Opinion.

There is no fee to participate. The program is fully funded through the support of our partners. Furthermore, we provide stipends and bursaries to ensure the program is accessible to all, such as internet and mobility, regardless of socio-economic background.

The program runs for 9 months. Participants should expect to dedicate approximately 5-8 hours per week to the programme from virtual learning modules, peer circles, and mentorship sessions,

The inaugural programme is open to young Pacific Islanders aged 20-30 from Fiji, Marshall Islands, Tonga, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds such as law, arts, science, and community organising.

No. Selection is based on your demonstrated commitment to climate justice, leadership potential (formal or informal), and your vision for applying what you learn, rather than strictly on academic credentials.

A working proficiency in English is required for regional modules, but we encourage multilingual advocacy in local projects.

It is a hybrid model. The majority of thematic modules and cohort check-ins are delivered virtually to ensure accessibility across our vast region. This is complemented by strategic in-person convenings, such as an orientation retreat, to build deep trust and solidarity.

Each leader is required to design and implement a project focussed on a climate justice issue in their home country or field. Examples include, but not limited to, drafting a socio-legal policy brief, creating a documentary, or organizing a grassroots campaign. More information on this will be provided over the course of the fellowship and the directions of the impact projects will be co-designed with the Leaders.

One of the primary goals of the program is to prepare and support a cohort of young leaders to engage in high-level negotiations regionally and globally.This means there may be opportunities to attend regional and global multilaterals, either in person or virtually. However, this is funding dependent and all efforts will be made to ensure participation in as many spaces as possible.

You will be paired with an experienced leader or practitioner from PISFCC’s global network, including climate negotiators, lawyers, artists, or community elders. They provide one-on-one professional guidance and support for your personal development.

Recognizing the weight of climate advocacy, we integrate dedicated wellness and resilience support. This includes facilitated sessions on preventing burnout, self-care strategies, and building peer support networks to navigate climate anxiety.

We welcome collaboration in several areas: providing expert knowledge/curriculum, offering mentorship, hosting interns, or facilitating pathways for Fellows into national delegations. Please contact us at yumirise@pisfcc.org to start a Talanoa on how we can work together.

In 2027, the inaugural cohort of the Yumi Rise Collective and PISFCC, along with partners will co-design an alumni programme and operationalise a community of climate justice leaders. The alumni program will provide opportunities to each generation of the programme’s “graduates” to learn and benefit from being part of a community of practice.