Kenyan young environmental leaders convened at the AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) National Youth Workshop in Kitui County (eastern Kenya), issuing a powerful declaration to spearhead forest conservation and the green economy. Held under the theme “From Science to Youth Action for Sustainable Forestry,” the three day event, organized by the African Forest Forum, Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI), and Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), prepared young leaders for COP 30 in Brazil, November 2025.
The workshop empowered youth aged 18 to 30 to develop practical solutions, blending scientific and indigenous knowledge with digital tools to address deforestation, climate change, and limited policy inclusion. Participants proposed innovative ventures like tree nurseries, climate-smart agroforestry, carbon credit initiatives, and ecotourism, aiming to protect biodiversity while fostering green livelihoods. The declaration emphasized youth as current drivers of sustainability, ready to lead through community-based conservation and forest-based entrepreneurship.
Despite funding shortages and climate vulnerabilities, Kenya’s youth showcased their digital proficiency and grassroots networks to implement nature-based solutions. The event urged the Kenyan government to integrate youth into forestry governance, expand green financing, and embed sustainable education in curricula. Private sector organizations and NGOs were invited to provide mentorship, technical support, and resources for business incubation.
“This workshop ensures that the next generation not only understands our forests but also actively shapes how they are governed, restored, and sustained,” said Dr. Jane Njuguna, KEFRI CEO. Dr. Joshua Cheboiwo of the African Forest Forum emphasized, “We encourage youth to harness the vast opportunities within forestry, from sustainable timber and non-timber products to ecotourism, beekeeping, and green innovation. With creativity and commitment, young people can turn forest resources into thriving enterprises that support livelihoods while protecting the environment for future generations”.
The AY4F initiative positions African youth as stewards of environmental and economic transformation, ensuring forests remain vital for ecological balance and livelihoods. Their unified voice will resonate at COP 30, advocating for inclusive, youth-driven climate action.
