AfricanYouth4Forests – from science to youth action for sustainable forests

African forests are critical for biodiversity, climate resilience, and livelihoods but face mounting pressures from deforestation, land-use change, and climate impacts. The AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) initiative, launched in 2024, mobilises youth as agents of sustainable forestry through participatory science, digital tools, and policy engagement. Workshops in Kenya and Cameroon brought together young leaders, scientists, and policymakers to co-create locally grounded solutions, such as mangrove restoration, bamboo enterprises, digital conservation, agroforestry, and other nature-based enterprises. The resulting AY4F Combined Youth Declaration from the two workshops emphasises leadership, innovation, equity, and green enterprises. AY4F demonstrates youth capacity to transform ecological knowledge into action for inclusive green economies.