About this project
The EcoSmart Briquettes & Greening Initiative is a youth-led environmental project by Agricycle Uganda, designed to address climate change, deforestation, plastic pollution, poor sanitation, and limited access to clean energy in rural and refugee-hosting communities in Uganda—starting with Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement and surrounding host areas.
This innovative project harnesses the power of circular economy principles to transform agricultural waste, plastic waste, and organic waste into eco-friendly resources such as carbonized briquettes for clean cooking, organic compost fertilizer for farming, and plastic-based construction materials (roof tiles and bricks). Simultaneously, the initiative promotes reforestation, biodiversity protection, and youth engagement in climate action.
The project responds to key challenges affecting Uganda’s rural communities:
Heavy dependence on firewood and charcoal has accelerated deforestation.
Poor waste management has led to widespread plastic pollution and methane-emitting landfills.
Soil fertility is rapidly declining, impacting food security.
Young people lack economic opportunities and often remain excluded from climate adaptation efforts.
Through the EcoSmart Initiative, we aim to:
Recycle and repurpose waste by producing eco-briquettes, organic fertilizer, and plastic-based construction products.
Train 30+ youth and women in sustainable waste-to-resource skills, including composting, briquette production, plastic recycling, and tree nursery management.
Plant over 10,000 indigenous and fruit trees to restore degraded areas and provide future fuel, shade, food, and carbon sequestration.
Establish three community-based composting and biodiversity stations in schools and gardens, doubling as hubs for pollinator homes and climate education.
Raise awareness through school campaigns, radio talk shows, and youth-led climate workshops in partnership with local government and civil society.
The project is aligned with multiple 1MYAC Standard Actions and SDGs:
SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) through pollution reduction and improved waste management.
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through plastic recycling and sustainable energy production.
SDG 13 (Climate Action) through carbon mitigation and adaptation efforts.
SDG 15 (Life on Land) through reforestation, composting, and pollinator-friendly ecosystems.
By integrating youth leadership, environmental innovation, and community-based restoration, the EcoSmart Initiative seeks to demonstrate how local actions can have global impact. The project not only protects the environment but also creates green jobs and contributes to community resilience against the effects of climate change.
Agricycle Uganda, led by a team of youth climate champions aged 23–29, brings experience in renewable energy, agroecology, and social enterprise. With strategic partnerships from local schools, farmer cooperatives, and refugee support organizations, the project is designed for scalability and sustainability beyond the pilot communities.
This initiative will serve as a replicable model for youth-led climate action across Uganda and East Africa, contributing meaningfully to both environmental protection and youth empowerment.
Goals and Objectives
Project Goal:
To promote climate resilience, environmental sustainability, and youth empowerment through circular solutions in waste management, clean energy, and ecosystem restoration in rural Uganda.
Specific Objectives:
To train and equip 30+ youth and women with practical skills in briquette production, composting, plastic recycling, and tree nursery management.
To reduce plastic and organic waste by recycling at least 3 tons of plastic and 5 tons of organic waste monthly.
To produce 2+ tons of clean cooking briquettes and 1 ton of organic fertilizer per month.
To plant and nurture over 10,000 trees (indigenous and fruit-bearing) to restore degraded landscapes and enhance carbon capture.
To establish 3 community compost and biodiversity hubs in schools and gardens to serve as models for climate education and pollinator conservation.
Intended Beneficiaries:
Youth and women in Kiryandongo Refugee Settlement and nearby host communities.
Local schools and smallholder farmers.
These groups were chosen because they are most vulnerable to climate-related risks, yet often lack access to clean energy, sustainable livelihoods, or environmental education. Youth and women will gain green skills and income-generating opportunities, while schools and farmers will benefit from compost, tree cover, and clean cooking solutions.
Sustainability & Replication:
The project is designed for sustainability through:
Skill transfer and local ownership: trained youth will form eco-enterprises.
Partnerships with schools and farmer groups ensure community integration.
Income from briquette and fertilizer sales will help sustain operations.
There is strong potential for scaling up in other refugee settlements, urban slums, and rural districts in Uganda where similar challenges exist. The modular nature of the project (waste-to-resource hubs, tree nurseries, composting systems) makes it replicable by other youth groups and NGOs committed to SDGs and climate action.
Expected result
The EcoSmart Briquettes & Greening Initiative is designed with clearly defined and impactful results that align with SMART principles—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. By the end of the 12-month implementation period, the following results will be achieved:
1. Waste Management & Resource Recovery
3,600+ kg of plastic waste will be collected and recycled into durable roofing tiles, eco-bricks, and other construction materials, reducing community plastic pollution by at least 60% in the targeted areas.
6,000+ kg of organic waste will be converted into clean cooking briquettes and organic compost fertilizer, eliminating harmful dumping and methane-emitting waste piles.
At least 24,000 carbonized briquettes will be produced and distributed, replacing over 72,000 kg of firewood and reducing indoor air pollution for 200+ households.
2. Youth and Women Empowerment
At least 35 youth and women (aged 18–30) will be trained in:
Briquette production
Composting techniques
Plastic waste recycling
Tree nursery and afforestation practices
60% of trained participants will establish or join green micro-enterprises, generating an average monthly income of UGX 250,000–300,000 ($65–80) from eco-product sales.
3. Climate Mitigation and Ecosystem Restoration
A minimum of 10,000 trees (indigenous and fruit-bearing) will be planted on community lands, farms, and school compounds, contributing to the absorption of an estimated 150–180 tons of CO₂ annually.
3 school-based biodiversity hubs will be created, each including composting units, pollinator gardens, and tree nurseries—reaching 1,500 students through climate education and eco-literacy programs.
4. Community Access to Clean Energy & Sanitation
200 households will transition to briquettes as a clean energy source, reducing reliance on charcoal and saving families up to UGX 35,000/month ($9.5) on fuel costs.
Improved sanitation through proper waste management will reduce open dumping sites by 80% in the target villages, leading to fewer waterborne diseases and environmental degradation.
5. Awareness & Behavior Change
At least 5 radio talk shows, 3 school campaigns, and 5 community dialogues will be conducted, reaching over 10,000 people directly with messages on environmental protection, climate adaptation, and circular economy solutions.
At least 500 school children and 100 farmers will engage in hands-on learning through compost hubs and tree planting, fostering a generation of climate-conscious citizens.
Monitoring & Evaluation Capacity
Agricycle Uganda has a dedicated M&E team using tools like Kobo Toolbox and Power BI dashboards to track project indicators in real-time. Monthly progress reports, impact assessments, and photo documentation will ensure results are accurately measured, verified, and shared with stakeholders.
By combining environmental restoration, youth empowerment, waste-to-resource innovation, and climate education, the project will create tangible, lasting change for over 12,000 direct and indirect beneficiaries within one year, with clear pathways for expansion.
Partners
About me / organisation
MOSES OCEN
Moses Ocen is a 29-year-old Ugandan social entrepreneur, environmental advocate, and the Founder & CEO of Agricycle Uganda. With over five years of experience leading community-based sustainability initiatives, Moses brings deep expertise in youth-led innovation, waste-to-energy solutions, and rural climate resilience.
A graduate of Development Studies from Gulu University and a certified gender and human rights advocate, Moses has spearheaded projects promoting renewable energy, youth employment, and environmental conservation across Northern Uganda. He has worked directly with vulnerable communities, schools, and local governments to implement practical, inclusive, and scalable solutions. Moses is passionate about empowering youth as change agents for climate action and sustainable development.
As project lead, he will oversee planning, coordination, partner engagement, resource mobilization, and implementation, ensuring that the EcoSmart Briquettes & Greening Initiative delivers high-impact, community-centered results.
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