In an increasingly interconnected world, the voices of young people and women from the Global South are pivotal in shaping resilience-building initiatives. The Global Resilience Partnership (GRP) recognises this imperative through its Women and Youth Scaling Engagement in Resilience (WYSER) Leaders programme—an initiative designed to amplify young leaders and integrate their expertise into meaningful climate action.
Under the WYSER Leaders umbrella, the Global South Talent Pool (GSTP) internship programme provides a unique opportunity for young professionals to contribute to global resilience efforts. Through communications, policy work, and strategic engagement, we have worked on projects that bridge local experiences with global resilience solutions. Whether supporting high-profile events like COP, London Climate Action Week (LCAW), and Climate Week NYC or contributing to specialised programmes such as the RAIN Challenge, RISE Urban Challenge, and the Hindu Kush Himalaya Innovation Challenge for Entrepreneurs (HKH-ICE), our experiences have been both exciting and rewarding.
Building resilience beyond theory
One of the most impactful aspects of the GSTP experience has been the hands-on involvement in projects that have a real-world impact. My role as a Junior Content Creator has allowed me to not only support the overall communications and policy work but also to engage in discussions, experiment with creative ways to amplify GRP’s work, and highlight the intersection between science, storytelling, and policy in resilience-building.
For the programme intern and the operations intern, the experience was equally formative. From supporting team leads to navigating the complexities of environmental stewardship and resilience policy, each of us played a role in shaping how GRP’s work is communicated and executed.
“The experience I’ve gained has not only improved my teamwork skills but also introduced me to various perspectives and work styles,” – Anita Yeboah, Operations intern, GRP
At its core, GSTP is more than an internship—it’s a network of young changemakers committed to building a sustainable, resilient future. Beyond professional tasks, our journey has encouraged critical thinking, refined our skills, and positioned us to influence global policies and local actions. Most importantly, the meaningful relationships formed within the GRP Secretariat, fellow interns, and the wider resilience community have reinforced our shared commitment to collaboration and action.
For more information on the WYSERS Leaders programme and how you can be a part, please visit Global Resilience Partnership – WYSER Leaders.