Youths Leading Reforestation Now Project

About this project

KASIISI YOUTHS VULNERABLE ORGANIZATION is a youth-led non-profit making, legally registered in 2023 with registration number RNGO 101/1997/2023 by NGO Act No. 16 of 2009 of the Republic of Zambia. The organization works to improve the quality of life of youth, regardless of their status, color or race. This project is a dynamic initiative aimed at empowering youth to take decisive action in combating deforestation and promote environmental sustainability through reforestation efforts, community-led restorations, training workshops, mentorships and awareness-raising in the community we serve.

Deforestation is now a significant environmental concern in Chongwe District of Zambia, with a 44% decrease in tree cover since 2000. This loss, equivalent to 3.11 kha (thousand hectares), which has resulted in 919 kt of CO₂e emissions, loss of biodiversity, increased soil erosion and reduced water quality as well as compromising the livelihoods of local communities.

 

Main primary drivers of deforestation in our area

·         High rates of tree cutting for charcoal burning and firewood

·         Lack of alternative economic opportunities and livelihood initiatives such as community-led tree nurseries and gardening and other agricultural activities for youth

·         Massive cutting down of trees for Wood extraction for furniture

·         Population migration and urbanization

·         Lack of community involvement and engagement in environmental conservation and decision-making processes

·         Lack of forest management committees.

Recognizing the critical role forests play in combating climate change, preserving biodiversity and maintaining soil and water quality—while prioritizing the SDG 13 which calls for urgent action against climate change and its impact—the project empowers, engages and educates youth, local community members and stakeholders to lead and participate in sustainable reforestation initiatives and environmental education efforts within our local areas.

 

 

The Project is crucial for:

·         Training of 20 youth to become community reforestation ambassadors and champions of change

·         Restoring 10 hectares of degraded forests through community-led tree planting and management.

·         Engaging 5,000 youth in reforestation efforts and environmental education throughout the project life cycle

·         Establishing one community-led tree nursery producing 1,000 seedlings annually by the end of the project

·         Hosting a dialogue forum that invites local authorities, youth, organizations and other stakeholders to share youth-led stories in reforestation efforts and environmental education while fostering collaboration and youth inclusion in environmental decision-making processes

·         Conducting sensitization activities through campaigns, distribution of IEC materials, peer-to-peer education and radio programs to reach a wider audience, aimed at reducing deforestation and charcoal production while promoting reforestation initiatives.

Methodology

·         Community outreach and mobilization.

·         Capacity building through training workshops and mentorship.

·         Tree planting and forest management.

·         Establish community-led tree nursery for restoration

·         Monitoring, evaluation and knowledge sharing.

Goals and Objectives

Goals

·         To restore 10 hectares of degraded forestland in Chongwe District through community-led tree planting

·         To engage 5,000 youth in reforestation efforts and environmental education

Objectives:

·         To train 20 youth to become community reforestation ambassadors and champions of change

·         To restore 10 hectares of degraded forests through community-led tree planting and management

·         To engage 5,000 youths in reforestation efforts and environmental education

·         To establish one community-led tree nursery producing 1,000 seedlings annually by the end of the project

·         To host a dialogue forum that invites local authorities, youth, organizations and other stakeholders to share youth-led stories in reforestation efforts and environmental education while fostering collaboration and youth inclusion in environmental decision-making processes

·         To conduct sensitization activities through campaigns, distribution of IEC materials, peer-to-peer education and radio programs to reach a wider audience, aimed at reducing deforestation and charcoal production while promoting reforestation initiatives.

Intended Beneficiaries:

·         5,000 Local youth (10-30 years)

·         150 Rural households.

·         800 community members for preservation of traditional knowledge

Sustainability and Scalability:

·         Established 2 community-led forest management committees

·         Increased tree planting activities and community-led tree nursery initiatives

·         Developed eco-tourism initiatives.

·         Improved livelihoods alternative for local community members and youth

·         Increased collaborate with government agencies and stakeholders for policy support.

Replication and Scaling Up:

·         Potential for replication in all deforested areas.

·         Scaling up through partnerships with local and international organizations.

·         Adaptation of successful models in other regions.

Expected Benefits:

·         Enhanced environmental conservation efforts and engagement through dialogue forum

·         Improved livelihoods and food security

·         Empowered youths and communities through environmental education and awareness

·         Climate change mitigation

·         Increased water quality

·         Decreased soil erosion

·         Improved biodiversity

·         Improved community-led tree nurseries

Expected result

Duration period is 8 Months

Results 1 (1-8 months)

1. Tree Planting

·         Indicator:  Number of trees planted

·         Target: 1,000 trees

·         Timeline: 6 months

2. Youth Engagement and participation throughout the project life cycle

·         Indicator:  Number of youths participating

·         Target: 5,000 youths

·         Timeline: 8 months

3. Community-Led Tree Nursery

·         Indicator: Tree Nursery established

·         Target: : One community-led tree nursery producing 1,000 tree seedlings annually

·         Timeline: 6 months

Results 2 (7-8 Months)

1. Survival Rate:

·         Indicator: Tree survival rate

·         Target: 80%

·         Timeline: 8 months

2. Livelihood Improvement.

·         Indicator: Number of community-led tree nursery established

·         Target: 40% increase.

·         Timeline: 8 Months.

3. Capacity building through workshops and training

·         Indicator: Number of youths trained

·         Target: 20 youths

·         Timeline: 1 Month

Results 3 (3-8 Months)

1. Forest Restoration

·         Indicator: Hectares restored

·         Target: 10 hectares

·         Timeline: 8 Months

2. Reforestation efforts and environmental education.

·         Indicator:

- Number of community members received environmental awareness and information

- Sensitization activities through campaigns, distribution of IEC materials, peer-to-peer education and radio programs to reach a wider audience, aimed at reducing deforestation and charcoal production while promoting reforestation initiatives conducted

- Hosted dialogue forum that invited local authorities, youth, organizations and other stakeholders to share youth-led stories in reforestation efforts and environmental education while fostering collaboration and youth inclusion in environmental decision-making processes

Target: 800 community members and partners

·         Timeline: 8 Months.

Indicators for Monitoring:

·         Number of trees planted

·         Number of youths engaged

·         Number of community-led tree nurseries established

·         Tree survival rate

·         Household income increased

·         Number of environmental workshops and youth trained

·         Hectares restored

·         Number of community-led forest management committees established

·         Number of sensitization and awareness campaigns conducted

·         IEC materials distributed

Partners

About me / organisation

CHRISTINE PHIRI

Christine Phiri, is leading the Youths Leading Reforestation Now project under KASIISI YOUTHS VULNERABLE ORGANIZATION in Zambia. As the project coordinator, Christine oversees strategy development, stakeholder engagement and training workshops. With 5 years of experience in environmental conservation, project management and community development, Christine is well-suited to lead this dynamic initiative empowering youths to combat deforestation and promote environmental sustainability in Chongwe district. She excel in crafting impactful strategies, engaging diverse stakeholders and orchestrating transformative initiatives that empower communities especially youth and women. Her dedication to preserving nature and uplifting people shines through the work, making her a trusted force in sustainable development. She has a heart rooted in service and a mind tuned to innovation, Christine is not just managing projects she is nurturing change. Her journey is a beautiful blend of purpose, compassion and resilience, inspiring others to believe in the power of collective action for a greener future.

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