Where youth-led research shapes climate policy, funding priorities, and sustainable development practice.
An applied research platform for RSA alumni and advanced practitioners producing publishable work that informs real-world decision-making.
Apply to Join Rolling Admissions · Mentored · Publishable OutputsThe Rolfes Research & Policy Writing Programme is the advanced action arm of Rolfes SDG Academy. It enables youth and early-career professionals to co-author policy briefs, white papers, research reports, and public-facing articles that influence climate and development discourse.
This is not academic research for its own sake. Every project is designed to inform institutions, support advocacy, shape funding mechanisms, or improve governance systems aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Youth perspectives are often excluded from formal research and policy spaces, despite being among the most affected by climate and development failures. This programme exists to correct that imbalance.
RSA research outputs are designed to be:
Examining how youth can influence climate finance mechanisms to better serve frontline and underserved communities.
Investigating how education systems can teach climate action as an interconnected, systemic challenge rather than siloed subjects.
Defining what meaningful youth participation in climate governance actually looks like in practice.
Apply with a research idea or join an existing project. Interdisciplinary teams are formed with mentorship assigned.
Conduct research, interviews, analysis, and drafting over 3–6 months with monthly feedback sessions.
Expert review for rigor, clarity, and policy relevance. Revisions prepared for publication.
Outputs published, shared with partners, presented at events, and amplified through media and networks.
Contribute to research that informs policy, strengthens advocacy, and amplifies youth leadership in climate action.
Apply to the Research Programme