In August, the 2025 Changemakers turned their focus outward, building the strategies, skills, and stories that will help them move their projects from ideas into action. Through a packed calendar of sessions, participants gained practical tools for fundraising and stakeholder collaboration, reflected on their readiness for change, and took the stage to pitch their work in Demo Day 3. Alongside technical training, CMP On Stage gave space for peer-led storytelling, highlighting how individual journeys can inspire collective impact.

Sharpening strategies and skills
The month began with sessions on fundraising and funding options as well as change readiness and theory of change, both designed to strengthen the foundations of participants’ projects. 

In the Fundraising Session, Changemakers gained practical knowledge of different ways to finance their initiatives, from grants and corporate sponsorships to crowdfunding and revenue generation. They gained insights into how to map potential funders, align proposals with donor priorities, and understand how to manage long-term relationships with partners.

The Theory of Change Session introduced a structured way to connect inputs and activities to long-term outcomes. By drafting and reviewing their own diagrams, participants identified assumptions, risks, and indicators, and reflected on whether their organizations were prepared to scale or attract new funding.

Additional sessions on Strategy Activation, Investor Relations, and Stakeholder Engagement & Collaboration gave Changemakers a broader view of what it takes to lead sustainable projects. Through interactive exercises, they learned how to connect strategic planning with day-to-day action, manage expectations of potential investors, and build partnerships rooted in shared goals.

Coaching and mentoring: Turning challenges into next steps
Alongside technical training, Coaching Session and Mentoring Session provided space for individual reflection and peer support. These sessions allowed participants to speak openly about the obstacles they are facing, whether balancing personal responsibilities, navigating limited resources, or sustaining motivation, and to receive targeted guidance. The emphasis was on transforming challenges into actionable steps, with facilitators and mentors helping Changemakers set priorities and identify realistic ways forward.

CMP On Stage: Stories of impact and resilience
August also featured two editions of CMP On Stage, the participant-led storytelling initiative originally created by alumni. These sessions brought forward three inspiring projects from Madagascar. 

Mialitia showcased women-led climate resilience initiatives, where rural communities are supported through rainwater harvesting, agroforestry gardens, and sustainable economic activities. Precieuse highlighted creative approaches to environmental education for children, blending stories, songs, and interactive tools to raise a generation of eco-conscious citizens. Charles’ presentation explored how cultural and ecological tourism can connect ancestral knowledge with ecological preservation, demonstrating how heritage itself can become a driver of conservation and community pride. 

Together, these stories reminded participants that youth leadership is as much about personal journeys as it is about technical expertise, and that storytelling can be a powerful tool for advocacy and collaboration.

Demo Day 3: Presenting with confidence
The month concluded with the third round of Demo Days. Each cohort hosted its own Demo Day, allowing participants to present in their native language. This format ensured that every Changemaker could pitch authentically, focusing on content and delivery rather than translation.

Across all three sessions, participants presented their projects’ vision, the problems they are addressing, and the progress made so far. Facilitators and peers provided structured feedback, highlighting strengths such as community relevance and passion, while encouraging improvements in areas like impact measurement, financial sustainability, and partnership strategies. The combination of pitching and feedback created a cycle of learning, helping participants refine both their projects and their communication.

Field experiences and local hub engagement

August also marked significant field-based learning opportunities coordinated through the program's local hub partners. 

In Kenya, participants engaged in the Camel Caravan, a six-day immersive experience across Samburu and Isiolo Counties that focused on sustainable pastoralism, peacebuilding, and rangelands management. Changemakers participated in hands-on ecosystem restoration activities, attended pastoralist assemblies, and engaged with diverse stakeholders including community elders, government representatives, and NGO partners. Additionally, the Youth Linkage Forum in Nanyuki brought together 50 stakeholders to address youth employment challenges, providing participants with direct access to government services, enterprise funding opportunities, and professional networks. 

In Peru, Nature Explorers facilitated an evaluation workshop that combined program assessment with public speaking skill development, allowing participants to reflect on their learning journey while strengthening their presentation capabilities and technology competencies. 

These field experiences complemented the virtual programming by providing real-world application opportunities and expanding participants' professional networks within their regional contexts.

What’s next: Building momentum
August was about laying down practical strategies and testing how projects resonate with others. September will build on this momentum, giving Changemakers further opportunities to refine their work and prepare for the months ahead. With stronger pitches, clearer strategies, and a growing sense of community, the 2025 cohort is entering the next phase of the program with renewed energy and sharper focus.

Rather than seeing their projects as isolated efforts, participants are beginning to connect the dots, between local challenges and global movements, between individual leadership and collective progress. The skills, feedback, and stories shared in August are becoming building blocks for bigger impact. As the program continues, these blocks will form a stronger foundation for change.