Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN)

The mission of Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN) is to empower and mobilise young people, whilst building youth capacity to halt the destruction of biodiversity. GYBN focuses on inspiring the youth globally and developing them into future leaders who work towards a sustainable conservation of biodiversity. 

GYBN is run by a steering committee entirely made up of young people, including Indigenous youth, and is active in 172 countries. It has over 1.2 million members with a global reach of 2.8 million people. 

Young people attending COP15. Image credit: Earth Negotiation Bulletin

GYBN holds advocacy campaigns at local, national, and global levels. It supports over 50+ ground projects carried out by young people across the globe. GYBN actively participates with IUCN, holding a central role in organising IUCN’s first-ever Global Youth Summit in 2021. It has engaged in many other campaigns such as Reimagine Conservation. Currently, GYBN is campaigning for different approaches to be taken at the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity to stop biodiversity loss globally. GBYN are using their #StopTheSame campaign to help promote equity and consideration of human rights.  

Synchronicity Earth is supporting GYBN in amplifying the voices of youth and building the capacity of the global youth biodiversity movement via its nascent Youth into Action fellowship. In 2022, GYBN also supported over 250 youth from over 80 countries to join decision-makers at the 15th Conference of the Parties (COP15) of the CBD in Montreal Canada to advocate for an ambitious Global Biodiversity Framework, the biggest youth delegation ever at a biodiversity COP.  

GYBN are committed to connecting and giving young people an opportunity to drive real transformative change at all levels across society to halt the destruction of biodiversity.