AfricanYouth4Forests strengthen the young population

Meali Mohamed 

What happens when young people are given the skills and opportunities to tell the stories behind forest conservation? Impact becomes more visible.

Meet Meali Mohamed, Project Coordinator at Vanga Blue Forest CBO, and a beneficiary of the AY4F National Workshop in 2025. Following her participation, Meali strengthened her storytelling and communication skills in forest conservation and blue-carbon action. 

Her experience is a reminder that when young people are equipped with the right skills, they can turn knowledge into action and action into stories that inspire others.

Michael Obyia

Meet Michael Oloo Obiya, an Egerton University student and an alumnus of the AY4F.
 
The knowledge and skills gained in youth leadership, ecosystem restoration, climate action, sustainable livelihoods, community engagement and multi-stakeholder partnerships have helped shape a range of initiatives he has since been involved in. Following his AY4F experience, he was further strengthened to participate in the IUFRO Small-scale Forestry and Forest History and Traditional Knowledge Conference, strengthening his professional knowledge, networks and capacity to contribute to sustainable forest management.
 
His story demonstrates what is possible when young people are given the knowledge, networks and opportunities to lead: knowledge becomes action and action becomes impact.

The project 

The main goal in the project is focusing at strengthening the power of youth. By emphasising the importance of communication between different sectors and disciplines to share knowledge and make it more accessible, the project works to support youth both in the forest sector across Africa and help them raise their voice in policy dialogues. 

Read more about the project.