The initiative aims to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable development through youth engagement. Photo courtesy
In a strategic partnership to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), the European Union (EU), and the Sabyinyo Community Livelihood Association (SACOLA) have launched a youth-driven initiative aimed at safeguarding Rwanda’s ecologically sensitive Volcanoes National Park.
The program, titled Youth for Climate-Resilient Conservation and Sustainable Livelihoods, is expected to directly benefit more than 100,000 people living in the park’s surrounding communities.
It aims to promote environmental stewardship and sustainable development through youth engagement.
The initiative was formally launched in Kinigi Sector, Musanze District.
Over 150 participants—including government officials, civil society groups, youth-led organizations, international donors, and local leaders—gathered to celebrate the start of a project poised to influence both conservation efforts and community livelihoods.
Empowering Youth, Protecting Biodiversity
The project will support at least 10 youth-led organizations over the next three years, focusing on three strategic pillars: capacity building, ecosystem restoration, and nature-based solutions.
It aims to train young people in environmental leadership while introducing sustainable practices such as rainwater harvesting, soil conservation, and renewable energy technologies across 12 sectors bordering Volcanoes National Park.
The EU’s Amparo Gonzalez Diez, Team Leader at the Delegation to Rwanda, highlighted the importance of local ownership and intergenerational sustainability:
“We are helping protect ecosystems and empower the next generation to shape a greener, more resilient future. We are working with young Rwandans to protect a jewel of Rwanda’s natural scenery and biodiversity against climate change. This local partnership is about fair sustainability, empowering youth and local leadership, in line with our Global Gateway strategy.”
The EU’s Global Gateway initiative emphasizes sustainable development through local engagement, and this collaboration reflects its broader commitment to climate resilience and inclusive growth.
African-Led Conservation in Practice
Patrick Nsabimana, Country Coordinator for AWF Rwanda, underscored how the project fits into the Foundation’s long-term strategy of centering African leadership in conservation efforts:
“This project is a powerful continuation of AWF’s vision — one that puts African leadership and local communities at the center of conservation. It responds directly to Rwanda’s national development goals while equipping youth with the tools and opportunities to lead solutions rooted in their landscapes. We are not just building resilience to climate change — we are building a generation of leaders who will shape the future of conservation on this continent.”
The initiative builds on AWF’s decades-long presence in Rwanda and commitment to linking community development with conservation.
SACOLA, a local association that has long worked to improve livelihoods near the park, will co-lead the implementation and ensure strong community involvement.
Community-Centered Solutions
Through a combination of education campaigns, hands-on restoration activities, and livelihood support, the initiative aims to demonstrate how biodiversity conservation and economic development can go hand in hand.
Local communities will be engaged in monitoring progress, ensuring transparency and shared ownership of the results.
AWF and SACOLA will provide financial and technical support to youth organizations, conduct environmental restoration activities, and monitor measurable improvements in both ecosystem health and community well-being.
The project also plans to create knowledge-sharing platforms among youth groups and local stakeholders to enhance collaboration and scale successful practices.
A Broader Vision for Green Growth
This new initiative is aligned with Rwanda’s Vision 2050 and its national climate change and biodiversity targets. It represents a broader shift toward local, youth-led approaches in development and conservation programming.
By targeting over 106,000 people and engaging the next generation of Rwandan leaders, the project illustrates how strategic partnerships can bridge global frameworks and local realities.
About the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)
Established in 1961 during Africa’s independence movement, the African Wildlife Foundation is a leading conservation organization that promotes a uniquely African approach to protecting the continent’s natural heritage.
AWF works at the intersection of science, education, and community-based conservation to ensure that both people and wildlife thrive.
About the European Union (EU)
The European Union is a political and economic union of 27 member states dedicated to promoting peace, prosperity, and sustainable development.
Through its Global Gateway strategy and Thematic Programme for Civil Society Organizations (2021–2027), the EU supports environmental sustainability, human rights, and inclusive development worldwide, including in Rwanda, where it works closely with local actors to advance green growth and biodiversity conservation.
