AIM4Forests goal is to produce accurate, real-time information that can guide policies and actions to reduce deforestation and support large-scale forest restoration. Photo Pexel
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has named 50 Young Forest Champions from five countries to spearhead forest restoration and conservation efforts.
Chosen from over 1,500 applicants, the champions—aged between 22 and 30—represent a new generation of environmental leaders equipped to bring innovative, community-based solutions to some of the world’s most pressing deforestation challenges.
The announcement, made on June 5, marks a major milestone in the expansion of the UK-funded AIM4Forests programme.
The initiative, which began in Kenya in 2024, will now support young forest champions in Ghana, Uganda, Peru, Zambia, and Kenya.
Each country will have ten champions, aged between 22 and 30, who will receive support to build their skills in ecosystem monitoring, forest restoration, and advanced technologies.
The programme combines mentorship, capacity building, and innovation to equip youth to lead conservation efforts in their communities.
Harnessing Youth Energy for Forests
“When young people, who are at the intersection of tradition and transformation, are given the right guidance, they can do marvellous things,” said Prince Yakohene Dogbe, one of the newly named champions.
Dogbe, who works on mapping cocoa plantations in Ghana, sees technology as a key tool in forest protection.
More than 1,500 applicants vied for a spot in the programme.
Finalists were selected by FAO in collaboration with local and international partners, including the World Food Forum, Kenya Forest Service, Forestry Commission Ghana, Youth Go Green Uganda, and Zambia’s Ministry of Youth, Sport & Arts.
“These are outstanding individuals – a dynamic and diverse group of young people eager to contribute to forest monitoring, conservation, and restoration,” said FAO Forestry Director Zhimin Wu.
“This initiative aims to empower them to drive transformative forest actions in their communities and beyond for people and planet.”
Eligibility was open to residents of the five countries aged 18–30, with at least intermediate English skills and a university background.
Experience in forestry or volunteering with communities was considered an asset, though not required.
Youth with disabilities and indigenous applicants were actively encouraged to apply.
Building on Kenya’s Momentum
The expanded programme builds on success in Kenya, where the first ten female forest champions were selected in 2024.
Operating in eight counties, these pioneers engaged more than 10,550 community members and helped plant over 150,000 trees within a year.
Their efforts supported Kenya’s bold ambition to restore 10.6 million hectares of degraded land by planting and nurturing 15 billion trees by 2032.
Their achievements set the standard for what young people can accomplish with the right tools and guidance.
Tech-Driven Forest Restoration
The five-year AIM4Forests programme, which stands for Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests, emphasizes the use of space data, remote sensing, and other advanced tools to track deforestation and guide restoration.
Its goal is to generate accurate, real-time data that can inform smarter action on the ground.
Beyond the tech, AIM4Forests focuses on transferring capacity to those closest to the forests, especially Indigenous communities and youth.
These young champions bring a combination of local insight and digital fluency, making them well-suited to spearhead grassroots conservation efforts.
Global Collaboration on the Horizon
FAO and its partners are now exploring the formation of a global youth network to enable knowledge-sharing and collaboration beyond borders.
Such a platform could link young foresters across continents, multiplying their impact and visibility.
Backed by UK funding, the initiative is designed not only to protect the forest but to shape a new generation of environmental leaders.
With the 2025 champions announced, AIM4Forests is poised to turn youth ambition into tangible action for the climate, biodiversity, and local livelihoods.
To know more about the 50 champons visit the linkbelow;
https://www.fao.org/in-action/aim4forests/activities/youth-engagement/young-forest-champions/en
About AIM4Forests
AIM4Forests (Accelerating Innovative Monitoring for Forests) is a five-year programme led by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and funded by the UK government.
The initiative supports countries in strengthening forest monitoring systems using advanced technologies such as remote sensing and space-based data.
Its goal is to produce accurate, real-time information that can guide policies and actions to reduce deforestation and support large-scale forest restoration.
AIM4Forests also focuses on building local capacity—especially among youth and Indigenous Peoples—to ensure that the tools, knowledge, and leadership needed to manage and protect forests are embedded in the communities closest to them.
