3 November 2011, 12:00 p.m.

A photo and video competition for African youth between 13 and 30 years of age has been launched by the World Bank with 30 partners, as part of Connect4Climate (C4C), a wider social media climate campaign aimed at raising awareness about climate change.

"The Connect4Climate competition is a chance to tap the rich potential of Africa's youth – offering them a platform via our websites and Facebook pages – not only to articulate the challenges of climate change seen from their perspective, but also to use their enormous potential as agents of social change to raise awareness and mobilize for climate adaptation and mitigation within Africa," said Obiageli Ezekwesili, Vice-President of the World Bank's Africa Region.

Launching the competition at the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment (AMCEN) in Bamako, World Bank Special Envoy for Climate Change Andrew Steer said, "Across Africa, there are many remarkable examples of action in response to the threat of climate change. These stories should be seen, read, and heard by young and old alike in Africa and around the world."

The entrants should send in their photos and videos of 60 seconds or less, and are encouraged to answer the question: "What does climate change mean to you, your family, your community, your country?"

Participants are invited to share their personal stories and solutions for change in six Connect4Climate award categories:

• Agriculture
• Energy
• Forests
• Gender
• Health
• Water

The deadline for submissions is November 15, 2011.

Winners will be announced at the December 2011 United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP17) in Durban, South Africa. Prizes will include solar backpacks, video cameras, and computer tablets. The best entries will be featured in an exhibition at the conference.

Enter the competition on Facebook or the Connect4Climate website.

Partners supporting the Connect4Climate campaign and the competition include international organisations, social media networks, UN agencies, NGOs, academic institutions, as well as civil society, private sector, public sector, and youth organizations.

Monique Barbut, CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility, one of C4C's sponsors, said, "I expect this platform to be an inspiration for those most often regarded as too young to be heard. Now, young Africans can reach world audiences through this new social media channel. I am convinced that the search for solutions to today's climate change challenges must include those who will suffer its consequences the most and have the most to contribute through their daily actions. These are the young stakeholders."