Youth@SAIIA proudly announces the launch of the Johannesburg Cityzens for Clean Air Project, a pioneering youth-led initiative positioning Johannesburg as the fifth hub in the globally recognised UrbanBetter Cityzens network, a youth-led movement using citizen science, physical activity and wearable tech to capture health–climate data in public spaces, transforming everyday physical activity experiences into evidence and evidence into action and policy influence for healthy sustainable development. The project will be officially activated during the Soweto Marathon on Saturday, 29 November 2025.
Through this initiative, young South Africans will use citizen science, wearable technology, and civic action to advocate for cleaner, healthier, and more climate-resilient cities. Anchored in UrbanBetter’s Precision Advocacy Model, the project will see youth participants collect and interpret air quality data along the marathon route, transforming real-time insights into public awareness and policy-relevant evidence about the health impacts of air pollution.
The Johannesburg Cityzens Hub, hosted by Youth@SAIIA, will serve as a dynamic space for youth engagement, training, and green work experience. Inspired by successful hubs in Lagos, Accra, Nairobi, and Freetown, the hub will equip young people with the skills, tools, and networks needed to drive data-informed advocacy and influence urban transformation across South Africa.
This project underscores Youth@SAIIA’s commitment to youth empowerment and sustainability, ensuring that young voices are amplified in climate and environmental policy processes. The activation is delivered in partnership with UrbanBetter, the City of Johannesburg, and Breathe Cities.
About UrbanBetter
UrbanBetter is an Africa-led global institute for Healthy Hopeful Urban Futures. It exists to transform urban places and spaces by tackling health and climate risks shaped by the air we breathe, the ways we move, and the food we eat.
About Youth@SAIIA
SAIIA is an independent public policy think tank advancing a well-governed, peaceful, economically sustainable, and globally engaged Africa.
