By Abbas Nazil
In a significant move towards climate action and sustainable forestry, young environmental leaders from across Kenya have committed to spearheading forest conservation and drive the green economy.
This commitment was formalized in a declaration during the AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) National Youth Workshop held in Kitui County, under the theme “From Science to Youth Action for Sustainable Forestry.”
The three-day event was part of the continental momentum leading up to COP30, which is set to take place in November 2025 in Brazil.
The workshop was organized by the African Forest Forum (AFF) in partnership with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).
It aimed to equip youth with tools and knowledge in sustainable forest management, foster eco-entrepreneurship, and strengthen advocacy skills in both national and global forestry discourse.
Participants, aged 18–30, co-developed actionable solutions for pressing challenges affecting Kenya’s forests, including deforestation, climate change, limited youth involvement in policymaking, inadequate funding, and lack of technical training.
The declaration emphasized the youth’s determination to lead through innovation, community-based conservation, and entrepreneurship linked to forest resources.
Proposed solutions included tree nursery enterprises, carbon credit schemes, climate-smart agroforestry, digital storytelling for advocacy, sustainable timber and non-timber forest product businesses, and ecotourism ventures.
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These youth-led strategies reflect a shift towards leveraging indigenous knowledge and scientific research to drive sustainable change.
Esther Maina, the National Coordinator of the Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network, highlighted the importance of forests as a generational inheritance.
She emphasized that the youth have both the urgency and creativity needed to restore and protect forest ecosystems.
AFF’s Dr. Mutta echoed this sentiment, noting that integrating science with traditional knowledge empowers young people to make informed decisions and create adaptive, locally relevant forest solutions.
SLU’s Prof. Anders Roos stated that the AY4F initiative is more than just a training program—it is a launchpad for youth-driven transformation, blending scientific understanding with innovative problem-solving tailored to African realities.
The declaration issued a strong call to action, urging the Kenyan government to integrate youth into forestry governance, expand green financing and training, and embed sustainable forestry education at all levels, especially in tertiary institutions.
It also appealed to the private sector, NGOs, and development partners to support youth with mentorship, resources, and platforms for enterprise development and environmental storytelling.
Dr. Jane Njuguna, KEFRI’s CEO, described youth empowerment in forestry as a national imperative for Kenya’s environmental and socio-economic resilience.
AFF Consultant Dr. Joshua Cheboiwo encouraged young people to explore forest-based opportunities, emphasizing that forests hold vast potential for employment, innovation, and economic growth.
The workshop affirmed that with the right support and platforms, African youth are not only the future of sustainability but its present-day champions.
