A Greener Future: How youth-led philanthropy is transforming communities across Africa

In cities and rural areas across Africa, communities grapple with the immediate impacts of climate change, from unpredictable weather patterns to mounting waste challenges.

These issues directly affect health, livelihoods, and the very fabric of daily life. Amidst this pressing need, a powerful force for change has emerged: the Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO).

This youth-led, gender-balanced organization is not just raising awareness; it is implementing tangible solutions that are positively transforming lives, showcasing the immense power of grassroots philanthropy to drive sustainable development.

A Vision Born from Urgency: GAYO’s Genesis

GAYO was founded in 2014 by young visionaries. It began as a student group at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

From these humble beginnings, it has grown into a credible organization with impact spanning across Ghana and into sub-Saharan Africa.

GAYO’s core mission is clear: to provide solutions to environmental issues through youth empowerment, skills development, and public education.

Their vision is a world where conserving the natural environment is a top priority for all.

“There is always a sense of fulfillment in empowering young people for decision-making responsibilities where they draw inspiration to share and build ideas through identifying the right opportunities to make the right impact in the space,” states a message from the founders of GAYO, as highlighted on their website. This quote encapsulates the core philosophy of GAYO.

The organization focuses on critical areas. These include climate change, circular economy principles, and disaster risk reduction.

They work directly with local communities, particularly those with less capacity for adaptation.

This includes children, youth, and women, who are often most vulnerable to climate impacts due to social and structural inequalities.

This targeted approach highlights the importance of inclusive philanthropy that addresses the needs of the most marginalized.

From Waste to Wealth: The Zero Waste Model

One of GAYO’s most impactful initiatives is its Zero Waste Model. This program is designed to create jobs and build infrastructure for circular waste management across Africa.

It is not just about waste disposal; it is about transforming waste into valuable resources.

In many African communities, open burning of waste is a common practice. This releases harmful pollutants into the air, contributing to respiratory illnesses and exacerbating climate change.

GAYO’s Zero Waste Model directly tackles this. It diverts organic, plastic, and electronic waste from landfills and open burning sites.

The model brings together waste management specialists with communities, including minority groups and informal waste collectors.

This ensures all stakeholders are recognized. It integrates informal workers, who often play a significant role in African economies but are excluded from formal employment.

This approach creates green jobs and provides alternative livelihoods.

Through this model, GAYO employs and trains individuals from all parts of the community. This includes young people, women, waste collectors, and waste pickers.

Training covers waste management best practices and commercial skills. Participants learn to earn money from selling compost and charcoal briquettes made from waste.

This is a crucial element of the model. As articulated by community students involved in the Sustainable Community Project, “Waste is not waste until it is wasted,” a quote found on GAYO’s website, reflecting the transformative mindset behind the Zero Waste Model.

Tangible Impacts on Daily Life:

• Cleaner Air: By preventing open burning, GAYO significantly reduces greenhouse gas emissions and particulate pollution. This directly improves the air quality for residents, leading to fewer respiratory problems and better health outcomes. Communities breathe easier.

• Job Creation: Since 2019, GAYO has created over 700 green jobs. These jobs benefit young people, widows, single mothers, and people with disabilities. This provides stable incomes and enhances economic opportunity.
• Resource Recovery: In 2023 alone, GAYO kept 170 tonnes of waste out of landfills. This included 104 tonnes of organic waste and 66 tonnes of plastic. Over 40 tonnes of compost fertilizer have been produced. This reduces the burden on landfills and creates valuable products.
• Empowerment: More than 5,000 people have benefited directly or indirectly from the Zero Waste Model. This demonstrates how philanthropic support can empower individuals to become active participants in their own economic and environmental well-being.
• Cost-Effective Waste Disposal: For residents without access to formal waste collection, GAYO’s model offers a cost-effective way to dispose of waste responsibly. This improves sanitation and reduces health risks in informal settlements.

The Zero Waste Accra project in Ghana is a prime example. It supports communities in informal settlements to collect data and campaign for cleaner alternatives.

It involves mapping open waste burning sites, setting up waste buying centers, and improving coordination between formal and informal waste sectors.

A materials recovery facility is being established to serve 1,200 waste pickers and process tonnes of waste daily. This showcases how philanthropic initiatives can scale successful models to urban centers.

Youth Empowerment and Capacity Building: Investing in the Future

GAYO is fundamentally a youth-led organization. Its philosophy centers on the belief that young people are not just future leaders but active agents of change now.

Their initiatives heavily focus on empowering youth and building their capacity to address climate change and environmental issues.

• Campus Eco Clubs: GAYO has established eco clubs in universities across Ghana. These student-led movements aim to raise future climate leaders and ecopreneurs. They increase awareness of environmental protection and enhance youth employability through professional working experiences. This builds a pipeline of environmentally conscious professionals.
• Skills Development: GAYO offers training and capacity-building opportunities. This includes webinars and workshops. These equip young people with the knowledge and skills needed for climate action and green jobs. This directly improves their economic prospects and participation in the green transition.
• Youth-Led Research: GAYO launched a Climate Research Fund. This initiative empowers young researchers with resources, mentorship, and a platform to address Africa’s pressing environmental challenges. It drives youth-led local innovation and creates lasting solutions for vulnerable communities.

Joshua Amponsem, Founder of the Green Africa Youth Organization, stated, “Transitioning our world away from fossil fuels towards circularity, renewables, and a resilient Africa cannot succeed if the voices and talents of the young people in Africa are not empowered to lead frontier climate solutions.”  This quote highlights the strategic importance of youth leadership in climate solutions.

• Advocacy and Policy Influence: GAYO actively engages in global climate discussions, such as the UN Climate Change Conferences (COPs). They elevate youth voices and ideas, ensuring that the perspectives of young Africans inform programming and policy development by organizations and governments. This ensures that the solutions are relevant and equitable.

This investment in youth is a cornerstone of GAYO’s philanthropic impact.

It fosters a sense of agency and provides concrete pathways for young people to contribute meaningfully to their communities and the continent’s sustainable future.

Disaster Risk Reduction: Building Community Resilience

Beyond waste management and climate action, GAYO is deeply involved in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR).

Africa is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events and natural hazards. GAYO works to enhance community resilience and reduce the impact of disasters on vulnerable populations.

Their efforts include:

• Awareness Creation: Educating communities on disaster preparedness and early warning systems. This equips citizens with the knowledge to protect themselves and their families when hazards strike.
• Community-Based Solutions: Implementing practical solutions to mitigate risks, such as tree planting to prevent soil erosion or improving water access. For instance, the “Innovate Adaptation” project uses modern technologies like mechanized drilled wells to help farmers in arid regions leverage irrigation solutions.

This provides secure water supplies for agricultural and domestic purposes, strengthening livelihoods. Isobel Jere, Programmes Coordinator for Girls Activists Youth Organization (GAYO) in Malawi, affirmed the necessity for communities to understand child protection policies for effective intervention against abuse, stating, “Many children in communities suffer from abuse because guardians and people in the community do not know the right channels to follow to get help, so we believe that this awareness will help shade more light on how to go about it if they ever need help.”

While this quote refers to a GAYO project on child protection in Malawi, it underscores the organization’s broader commitment to community education and empowerment for resilience, whether against social issues or environmental hazards.

• Partnerships: Collaborating with national disaster management organizations and international bodies like UNESCO. This ensures a coordinated approach to DRR, leveraging expertise and resources for greater impact.

By focusing on DRR, GAYO directly enhances the safety and security of communities. It reduces the likelihood of displacement and protects assets, allowing citizens to maintain their daily routines and livelihoods even in the face of environmental challenges.

Philanthropy as a Catalyst for Transformation

The success of the Green Africa Youth Organization is a powerful example of how strategic philanthropy can positively transform lives.

GAYO’s work is supported by various philanthropic entities, including the Clean Air Fund, the UMI Fund, and the Global Methane Hub. This financial backing is crucial.

Philanthropy provides:

• Seed Funding for Innovation: Enabling GAYO to pilot novel concepts like the Zero Waste Model. These can then be scaled to other cities.
• Long-Term Support: Sustaining crucial programs that require ongoing effort and engagement.
• Capacity Building: Investing in the human capital of the organization and the communities it serves.
• Leveraging Partnerships: Attracting other funders and collaborators due to GAYO’s proven track record and clear impact.

Less than 1% of climate grants globally go to youth-led programs. This highlights the critical role of organizations like GAYO and the philanthropies that support them.

They are filling a significant funding gap. They are empowering underfunded, youth-driven climate and environmental solutions across Africa.

GAYO’s impact spans 3,000+ women empowered, 200+ tonnes of plastics processed, 20,000+ native trees planted, 700+ green jobs created, 40+ tonnes of compost fertilizer produced, and 5,000+ youth empowered.

These statistics are not mere numbers; they represent countless individual stories of improved health, enhanced economic opportunity, and greater resilience.

In a continent where climate change disproportionately affects the most vulnerable, GAYO’s work, fueled by philanthropic support, is a beacon of hope.

It demonstrates that with the right investment and a focus on empowering local communities, a greener, more sustainable, and prosperous Africa is not just a dream, but a tangible reality, built one empowered youth and one cleaner community at a time.