About this project
The Youth for Environment Initiative is launching the “Green Loop” project to tackle the dual crises of plastic pollution and climate change through youth-led, community-based interventions in Yola, Adamawa State, Nigeria. This project focuses on two core activities: recycling plastic waste into eco-friendly building products and implementing a strategic tree-planting campaign to restore degraded land and increase urban green cover.
Plastic pollution remains a persistent challenge in our target communities, where improper waste disposal has led to clogged drainage systems, increased flooding, and environmental degradation. Simultaneously, deforestation and land degradation have exacerbated the impacts of climate change, resulting in soil erosion, loss of biodiversity, and reduced agricultural productivity.
Our approach involves mobilizing and training youth to collect and sort plastic waste, which will be processed into durable construction materials such as paving bricks and interlocks. These products will be used to support sanitation and public infrastructure projects, thereby creating a circular economy and reducing plastic leakage into the environment. Simultaneously, the project will engage schools, local volunteers, and women’s groups in planting native trees in deforested and flood-prone areas to improve biodiversity, stabilize the soil, and reduce carbon emissions.
We have already piloted small-scale clean-up campaigns and tree-planting drives in Yola South with measurable success, which demonstrates community interest and viability. This grant will allow us to scale the initiative by training 50 youth, planting over 2,000 trees, and recycling at least 5 tonnes of plastic waste over a 12-month period.
“Green Loop” contributes directly to SDG 12 by promoting responsible consumption and innovative recycling; to SDG 13 by implementing local climate mitigation strategies; and to SDG 15 by restoring degraded lands. The project will foster local ownership through stakeholder engagement, school outreach, and partnerships with youth groups and local authorities.
Ultimately, “Green Loop” is more than a project—it is a model of climate resilience, youth empowerment, and environmental justice that can be replicated in other low-resource settings. Our goal is to inspire a generation of environmental stewards who are equipped to lead the fight against plastic pollution and climate change.
Goals and Objectives
The overarching goal of the Green Loop project is to empower youth and local communities in Yola, Nigeria, to combat plastic pollution and climate change through sustainable recycling and reforestation actions. Our objectives are:
1. To reduce environmental plastic waste by collecting and recycling at least 5 tonnes of plastic into eco-friendly building products within 12 months.
2. To increase local climate resilience by planting over 2,000 native and fruit-bearing trees in degraded and flood-prone areas.
3. To build the capacity of 50 youth through training in waste management, climate advocacy, and green entrepreneurship.
4. To promote responsible consumption and sustainable production practices in local schools, markets, and households.
Intended Beneficiaries
The primary beneficiaries are young people (ages 15–30) from underserved communities in Yola. They are often underemployed and excluded from formal climate action programs despite being highly vulnerable to climate impacts. Secondary beneficiaries include local women’s groups, schools, and community members who will benefit from the creation of green jobs, improved sanitation, cleaner environments, and increased shade and biodiversity through reforestation efforts.
Sustainability and Scaling
To ensure sustainability, we will build partnerships with local government, schools, and cooperatives who will adopt and replicate aspects of the project. Youth trained under the project will form peer-led climate action teams to maintain the tree nurseries and recycling work post-grant. The low-cost and scalable nature of our recycling model—using locally available tools and waste—makes it adaptable to other low-income communities. Additionally, we will develop a toolkit and open-source manual to support replication of the project in other locations.
By aligning environmental action with youth empowerment and community development, Green Loop offers both immediate and lasting impact.
Expected result
1. Plastic Waste Recycled into Products
Specific: Collect and recycle 1,500 kg of plastic waste into eco-friendly products such as paving tiles and reusable containers.
Measurable: Daily tracking and weighing of collected plastic, and recording output of recycled products.
Achievable: Based on access to community labor and locally available recycling equipment.
Relevant: Addresses SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) and fights plastic pollution.
Time-Bound: Achieved within 10 months of project initiation.
2. Trees Planted for Climate Mitigation
Specific: Plant 2,000 indigenous tree seedlings in degraded and flood-prone areas of the target communities.
Measurable: Monitor planting records, survival rates at 3-month, 6-month, and 12-month intervals.
Achievable: Through youth and community volunteer groups trained in reforestation.
Relevant: Contributes to SDG 13 (Climate Action) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Time-Bound: Full planting completed within the first 4 months, with follow-up care throughout the year.
3. Youth Trained on Sustainable Waste and Climate Practices
Specific: Train 100 youth (ages 15–30) in plastic recycling techniques, tree planting, and environmental advocacy.
Measurable: Maintain attendance, pre- and post-training evaluations, and follow-up surveys on behavior change.
Achievable: Collaborate with local experts and organizations to conduct monthly workshops.
Relevant: Builds local capacity and leadership in environmental action.
Time-Bound: Conduct 6 workshops within 6 months of project launch.
4. Community Sensitization and Awareness
Specific: Conduct 5 community sensitization campaigns on plastic pollution, sustainable consumption, and climate action.
Measurable: Document attendance, distribute at least 2,000 flyers/posters, conduct pre- and post-event surveys.
Achievable: Use local media, religious and school networks for outreach.
Relevant: Drives behavior change and community buy-in for sustainability.
Time-Bound: Activities scheduled across months 2 to 8.
5. Creation of Sustainable Green Hubs
Specific: Establish 2 community-managed Green Hubs to serve as collection centers for plastics and seedlings.
Measurable: Monitor volume of plastics collected and seedlings distributed monthly.
Achievable: Use existing community spaces and volunteers.
Relevant: Provides infrastructure for ongoing environmental action.
Time-Bound: Set up within the first 3 months, operational for project duration and beyond.
Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E):
A dedicated M&E team will use digital tools and manual records to track each result. Monthly reports will be compiled and reviewed by project stakeholders. A final impact evaluation will include both quantitative data and qualitative stories from beneficiaries. This ensures accountability and provides a strong foundation for replication or scale-up in other communities.
About me / organisation
Sadiq Abubakar
he project is led by Sadiq Abubakar, a 30-year-old Agronomist and the Founder of the Youth for Environment Initiative (YEI) in Yola, Nigeria. Sadiq holds a B.Sc inAgronomy and a Postgraduate Diploma in Education. He has over 7 years of professional experience working on climate adaptation, WASH infrastructure, and youth-led sustainability programs across northern Nigeria.
Sadiq has successfully led community-based projects focused on tree planting, clean-up campaigns, and sustainable agriculture, partnering with both local institutions and international development agencies. Under his leadership, YEI has trained over 200 youth and women in environmental stewardship, waste management, and green entrepreneurship.
Supporting Sadiq is a team of four young professionals aged 20–28 with expertise in forestry, communications, community mobilization, and data management. The team includes a university student ambassador, a field coordinator, and two volunteers with prior experience in environmental outreach and logistics coordination.
Together, the team is committed to ensuring effective implementation, youth participation across all project stages, and measurable impact in the community.
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