Youth Environmental Leadership

Empowering Young Leaders to Drive Environmental Change

Project Overview

The Youth Environmental Leadership project aims to empower young Ethiopians to become active, informed, and responsible leaders in environmental protection and sustainable development.

Implemented by Ethiopian Youth Environmental Awareness (EYEA), the project responds to the growing need for youth-led solutions to environmental challenges such as climate change, environmental degradation, and unsustainable resource use. By strengthening leadership capacities and environmental awareness, the project equips young people with the confidence and skills needed to take action within their schools, communities, and institutions.

Through a combination of leadership training, school-based eco-clubs, and community service initiatives, the project fosters a new generation of environmental advocates capable of driving positive and lasting change.

Objectives

The project seeks to achieve the following objectives:

• Strengthen youth leadership, civic engagement, and responsibility in environmental action

• Increase environmental awareness and climate literacy among young people

• Promote active youth participation in community-based environmental initiatives

• Support youth-led solutions addressing local environmental challenges

• Build a network of young environmental leaders committed to sustainability

  
  

Core Components

Leadership Workshops

The project delivers structured training sessions focused on:

• Environmental and climate change awareness

• Leadership and teamwork skills

• Project planning and management

• Communication, advocacy, and public speaking

These workshops empower participants to design, lead, and implement environmental initiatives within their communities.

School-Based Eco-Clubs

Eco-clubs are established or supported in schools and universities to provide platforms for youth engagement and peer learning. Through these clubs, students organise:

• Environmental awareness campaigns

• Clean-up and tree-planting activities

• School-based sustainability initiatives

• Peer education and knowledge sharing

Eco-clubs play a key role in embedding environmental responsibility within educational institutions.

Community Service Initiatives

The project provides hands-on opportunities for young people to apply their skills through community-based actions such as:

• Environmental clean-up campaigns

• Tree planting and urban greening activities

• Awareness events and local outreach

• Support to community-led environmental efforts

These activities strengthen the link between youth leadership and tangible environmental impact.

Strategies and Approach

The Youth Environmental Leadership project applies participatory and inclusive approaches, including:

• Youth-led planning and decision-making

• Experiential and action-based learning

• Mentorship and peer-to-peer support

• Collaboration with schools, universities, and community actors

• Use of digital tools for coordination, communication, and outreach

These strategies ensure that youth engagement is meaningful, practical, and sustainable.

Target Groups and Geographic Focus

• Target groups:

  • Youth and students

  • Young community leaders

• Geographic focus:

  • Urban and peri-urban communities in Ethiopia

• Project status:

  • Ongoing

    
    

Expected Impact

Through this project, EYEA aims to:

• Build a strong base of environmentally conscious youth leaders

• Increase community awareness and participation in environmental protection

• Support locally driven solutions to environmental challenges

• Strengthen long-term youth engagement in sustainability and climate action

  
  

How to Get Involved

Individuals and organisations can support the Youth Environmental Leadership project by:

• Participating in leadership training or eco-club activities

• Volunteering in community service initiatives

• Supporting project implementation through partnerships

• Providing financial or in-kind contributions

  
  

Join Us

By supporting the Youth Environmental Leadership project, you contribute to empowering young people to take responsibility for their environment and lead positive change in their communities.

Together, we can build a more sustainable future driven by informed, engaged, and committed youth.