AfricanYouth4Forests
Empowering Africa’s Youth to Shape the Future of Forests
AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) is a bold initiative at the crossroads of Africa’s rich forest heritage and its dynamic youth population. Designed for young Africans aged 18–35, AY4F empowers the next generation to transform environmental ambition into tangible action—merging ancestral wisdom with scientific innovation for sustainable forest management.
Why It Matters
Forests cover nearly one-third of Africa’s landmass, serving as carbon sinks, biodiversity havens, and critical lifelines for millions. But today, they are under siege—from deforestation, land degradation, wildfires, and unchecked development.
Amid this challenge, Africa’s youth are rising.
Four times larger than Europe’s youth population, Africa’s young people are passionate, digitally fluent, and eager to lead. Yet they remain vulnerable and underrepresented in decision-making spaces around climate and forestry.
AY4F recognizes that to build a resilient, green future, we must equip this generation with scientific knowledge, entrepreneurial tools, and policy platforms to lead Africa’s forest transition.
AY4F: Vision and Approach
- Gain and apply science-based knowledge on forest ecosystems
- Engage in policy dialogue and advocate for forest sustainability
- Build skills in green innovation, ecopreneurship, and community action
- Blend indigenous knowledge with modern tools and digital storytelling
- Align youth action with global agendas for climate, restoration, and development
AY4F encourages youth to become not only stewards of forests but also innovators, influencers, and leaders in the emerging bioeconomy.
Strategic Alignment
AY4F supports key continental and global sustainability agendas:
- African Union Agenda 2063 – Aspiration 1: A prosperous Africa based on inclusive growth and sustainable development
- UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2021–2030)
- Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
| SDG | Relevance to AY4F |
|---|---|
| #1 No Poverty | Forests support millions of livelihoods |
| #2 Zero Hunger | Agroforestry enhances food systems |
| #10 Reduced Inequalities | Youth science access narrows development gaps |
| #13 Climate Action | Forests increase resilience and store carbon |
| #15 Life on Land | Forests host Africa’s vast biodiversity |
Long-Term Impact
AY4F is more than a youth project—it’s a movement to shape lifelong forest champions:
- Future citizens informed about environmental rights
- Future advocates and policymakers shaping forest governance
- Future entrepreneurs building green businesses
- Future consumers who demand sustainability
“Africa’s forests are not just resources — they are cultural inheritances. And Africa’s youth are not just the future — they are the force driving change today.”
About the Project
AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) builds on existing knowledge about Africa’s forests to explore sustainable solutions for their use and conservation—placing African youth at the heart of this vision.
Core Knowledge Areas
- Forest Status & Climate Change
Grounded in FAO and scientific reports, this theme highlights Africa's forests' richness and climate resilience roles. - Forests & Livelihoods
Focuses on forest contributions to rural economies, cultural heritage, and women's livelihoods through social forestry. - Youth & the Bioeconomy
Examines green jobs and innovations led by youth, using AU frameworks and ILO data. - Youth Voice & Agency
Encourages youth engagement in governance and policy, inspired by figures like Vanessa Nakate.
Project Goals
- Communicate accessible, cross-disciplinary knowledge to African youth on forest conditions, roles, and prospects.
- Support youth in defining their roles in conservation, management, and sustainable forest use.
- Strengthen youth agency in forest policy and governance dialogues.
Focus and Approach
While centered on Kenya and Cameroon, AY4F targets youth across Africa through:
- Youth workshops
- Web-based discussion forums
- Digital media engagement
- Participation in international forestry events
At its core, AY4F promotes collaborative exchange between youth and the scientific community—fostering awareness, dialogue, and action.
Project Partners
This initiative is led by the African Forest Forum (AFF), in collaboration with:
- Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU)
- Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
Guidance is provided by a Youth Advisory Council (YAC), ensuring youth-centered strategies throughout.