Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change

What Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change does

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) is a youth-led, non-profit advocacy organization founded in March 2019 in Honiara, Solomon Islands. It was launched by 27 law students from the University of the South Pacific across 8 Pacific Island countries and has since grown to 100+ members with chapters across Fiji, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Tonga, and additional Pacific island countries. The organization's defining mission is to secure and operationalize an Advisory Opinion from the International Court of Justice on the obligations of states in respect of climate change — a campaign it initiated and which culminated in the unanimous ICJ Advisory Opinion delivered on July 23, 2025, and the UNGA Resolution operationalizing it adopted in May 2026 with 141 states.

PISFCC's core product set is organized around the #ClimateICJAO Campaign, supported by the Witness Stand digital testimony platform (co-produced with Interactive Media Foundation and World Youth for Climate Justice), the People's Petition delivered to the ICJ, the Youth Climate Justice Handbook, and the Yumi Rise Collective — a fully funded 9-month hybrid leadership fellowship for Pacific youth aged 20–30 across five countries launching in April 2026. The organization does not develop proprietary technology products; its platforms are advocacy, legal, and educational tools rather than software.

The organization is funded through grant funding, donor support, and partner arrangements (the Yumi Rise Collective is fully funded through partner support with stipends and bursaries provided to Fellows). All PISFCC programs are free to participants. It operates through a community-led GTM motion — grassroots organizing, diplomatic lobbying of Pacific governments and UN missions, public advocacy, and coalition-building through the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion (ACJAO) with Climate Action Network International, Greenpeace Australia Pacific, 350 Pacific, PICAN, CIEL, and others. Leadership is provided by a formal Executive Committee led by President Siosiua Veikune (Tonga) with Director Vishal Prasad (Fiji) overseeing operations.

Name

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change

Legal name

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change

Website

https://pisfcc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Non-profit, youth-led advocacy organization founded in 2019 in Honiara, Solomon Islands, that initiated and led the global campaign securing the first-ever ICJ Advisory Opinion on climate change (July 2025). Mobilizes Pacific island students, partners with governments and civil society, and runs the Yumi Rise Collective leadership fellowship.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Climate Justice Advocacy

NAICS

Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Human Rights Organizations (813311)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Services-Social Services (8300), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Climate Change Mitigation & Adaptation (BPAGAGAF)

akta.pro secondary industry

Climate Policy, Governance & NDC Support (BPADALAA)

Keywords

• Climate justice advocacy
• Youth climate activism
• International climate law
• Pacific climate movement
• Climate legal education

Headquarters

HQ city

Honiara

HQ country

Solomon Islands

HQ region

Oceania

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding and Donor Support: PISFCC is a non-profit youth organization that relies on grant funding, donor support, and partnership arrangements to fund its operations and programs. Specific revenue figures are not publicly disclosed.
2. Yumi Rise Collective Fellowship (Fully Funded): The Yumi Rise Collective is a fully funded 9-month leadership program. There is no fee to participate. The program is funded through the support of partners. Stipends and bursaries are provided to ensure accessibility for participants regardless of socio-economic background.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

PISFCC is a youth-led nonprofit advocacy organization that campaigns for an International Court of Justice Advisory Opinion on the obligations of States regarding climate change and human rights. The organization also delivers the Yumi Rise Collective, a fully-funded 9-month hybrid leadership fellowship program for Pacific youth aged 20-30 from Fiji, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu. Supporting offerings include the Witness Stand digital testimony platform and educational resources like the Youth Climate Justice Handbook.

Product overview

Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change (PISFCC) operates as a youth-led advocacy organization rather than a traditional technology product company. Its core offering is the #ClimateICJAO Campaign, which seeks a historic advisory opinion from the International Court of Justice on climate change and human rights obligations. Supporting this campaign are the Yumi Rise Collective (a leadership development program for Pacific youth), The Witness Stand (a testimony collection platform), the People's Petition (a grassroots advocacy document), the Youth Climate Justice Handbook (educational resource), and various Campaign Resources. The organization does not offer a software product, API, or technology platform but instead provides advocacy, education, and leadership development services focused on international climate law.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Yumi Rise Collective: A 9-month hybrid leadership program designed to strengthen diverse Pacific youth (ages 20-30) to lead ambitious climate justice action from frontline communities to global decision-making. Open to nationals from Fiji, Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Tonga, and Vanuatu.

Products and services

• Yumi Rise Collective A fully-funded 9-month hybrid leadership program designed to strengthen diverse Pacific youth aged 20-30 to lead ambitious climate justice action from frontline communities to global decision-making. The program includes masterclasses, mentorship from experienced climate negotiators and CSO leaders, and internship placements with climate justice organizations and government ministries. Stipends and bursaries cover telecommunications, travel, and accessibility expenses.
• The Witness Stand for Climate Justice

Quantifiable outcome

• Achieved the first-ever ICJ advisory opinion on climate change, delivered on July 23, 2025, unanimously by all 15 ICJ judges.
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Climate Action Network InternationalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion (ACJAO). Climate Action Network International coordinates global civil society climate advocacy and has supported the ICJAO campaign from its early stages, providing advocacy expertise and network reach.
• World Youth for Climate Justice (WYCJ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-leader of the ICJAO civil society campaign alongside PISFCC. WYCJ produced the legal report on human rights and climate change, co-produced the Witness Stand platform with PISFCC and IMF, and partnered on the People's Assembly and People's Petition for ICJ submission.
• Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion (ACJAO). PICAN is a regional network of Pacific civil society organizations working on climate action and has been a key partner in coordinating regional advocacy efforts.
• Greenpeace Australia PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStrategic advocacy partner providing media, legal analysis, and campaign support. Contributed quotes and public statements in support of PISFCC's ICJ campaign. Assisted with amplifying Pacific frontline voices during the ICJ oral hearings in December 2024.
• 350 PacificcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion (ACJAO). 350 Pacific is part of the global 350.org network focused on fossil fuel divestment and climate justice in the Pacific region.
• Pacific Islands Development ForumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMember of the Alliance for a Climate Justice Advisory Opinion (ACJAO). A regional intergovernmental organization focused on sustainable development in the Pacific.
• Interactive Media Foundation (IMF)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-producer of the Witness Stand platform alongside PISFCC. IMF brought media production expertise to create a digital platform where climate witnesses could submit video testimonies directed at the ICJ judges during the advisory opinion proceedings.
• Future Generations Tribunal (FGT)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in the People's Assembly (December 3-5, 2024) and co-author of the People's Petition submitted to the ICJ. Co-led the People’s Assembly with PISFCC and WYCJ, contributing the Co-Executive Director’s perspective on intergenerational justice and testimony from frontline communities.
• Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContributed legal expertise and advocacy support to PISFCC’s ICJAO campaign. CIEL’s attorneys produced analysis of the climate advisory opinion proceedings and co-authored campaign materials.
• Government of VanuatucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLed the formal ICJAO initiative at the UN General Assembly. PISFCC’s campaign directly influenced and partnered with the Vanuatu government, which tabled the resolution at the Pacific Islands Forum and then at the UNGA. The government served as the formal political vehicle for the campaign’s goals.
• Global CitizenminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSupported the #ClimateICJAO Petition by helping amplify the campaign and add legitimacy to the public petition calling for climate justice at the ICJ.
• Australian Museum (Talbot Oration)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerHosted PISFCC President Cynthia Houniuhi’s keynote address at the prestigious Talbot Oration in Sydney on June 5, 2024, providing a high-profile platform for the ICJAO campaign message.
• Academic Institutions and Legal ExpertscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKnowledge and Curriculum Partners for the Yumi Rise Collective. PISFCC invites academic institutions and legal experts to contribute masterclasses, research tools, and technical training modules. The Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law drafted the Status Report on Principles of International Law for the Youth Climate Justice Handbook.
• Seasoned Climate Negotiators and CSO Leaders (YRC Mentors)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMentorship Partners for the Yumi Rise Collective. PISFCC pairs Fellows with experienced practitioners including climate negotiators, CSO leaders, and community elders from its global network for one-on-one professional guidance and strategic mentorship.
• Climate Justice Organizations and Government Ministries (YRC Placements)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternship and Placement Partners for the Yumi Rise Collective. PISFCC works to place Fellows within climate justice organizations and government ministries to gain hands-on experience, while partner organizations benefit from Fellows’ technical skills and fresh perspectives.
• National Governments (YRC Delegation Partners)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGovernment and Delegation Partners for the Yumi Rise Collective. PISFCC seeks partnerships with national governments to create structured pathways for technically trained graduates to provide substantive support to official delegations, strengthening Pacific voice at UNFCCC COPs.
• Vanuatu GovernmentcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPISFCC has partnered with the Government of Vanuatu, which announced its intention to take climate change to the ICJ in September 2021. Vanuatu led the ICJAO initiative at the Pacific Islands Forum and the UN General Assembly, with PISFCC’s campaign directly informing and supporting this government-led process.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Regional players

• Pacific Islands Development Forum: Regional intergovernmental organization focused on sustainable development in the Pacific; ACJAO member that bridges PISFCC's civil society advocacy with Pacific intergovernmental diplomacy.
• Vanuatu Climate Action Network: Civil society climate coalition in Vanuatu — the Pacific state that formally tabled the ICJAO initiative at the UNGA. Operates in an overlapping political and advocacy space.

Direct peers

• Pacific Islands Climate Action Network (PICAN): Regional Pacific civil society network coordinating climate advocacy across the same island states PISFCC serves. Member of the ACJAO alliance and direct operational peer in regional climate mobilization.
• Future Generations Tribunal (FGT): Co-organized the People's Assembly and People's Petition with PISFCC. Shares the intergenerational justice framing and testimony-based advocacy model targeting international legal forums.
• World Youth for Climate Justice: Co-leader of the ICJAO campaign alongside PISFCC, with overlapping youth-led advocacy mandate and shared production of the Witness Stand platform and People's Petition. Direct peer in mission, geography, and target demographic.
• Centre for International Environmental Law (CIEL): Provides legal expertise for PISFCC's ICJAO campaign and other international climate proceedings. Comparable as a specialized NGO using international law to address climate accountability.
• 350 Pacific: Pacific regional node of the global 350.org fossil fuel divestment movement; ACJAO member with overlapping regional climate justice mission and grassroots mobilization model.

Broad incumbents

• Climate Action Network International: Global umbrella of over 1,800 civil society climate organizations; ACJAO coalition member with overlapping advocacy mandate but vastly broader portfolio and membership structure.
• Greenpeace Australia Pacific: Major international climate advocacy organization with a Pacific regional office; supported the ICJAO campaign and is an ACJAO partner. Far larger organization with broader campaign portfolio.

Others

• Sabin Centre for Climate Change Law: Columbia Law School affiliate that authored the Status Report for PISFCC's Youth Climate Justice Handbook. Adjacent enabling partner providing legal scholarship rather than direct advocacy.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/pisfcc
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@pisfcc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pisfcc
• Instagraminstagram.com/pisfcc_
• Facebookfacebook.com/PISFCC

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pacific Islands Students Fighting Climate Change