Mobilizing the Next Generation of Leaders To Shape the Future of Sustainable Development.

YECI

Youth for Environmental Conservation Initiative

ABOUT US

Youth for Environmental Conservation Initiative (YECI)

Formely Friends of Nature Network is a youth-led, gender-inclusive organization championing biodiversity conservation and climate resilience across Africa’s rural communities. Focusing on inclusivity, YECI bridges generational and social divides to empower young people and marginalized populations as key agents of environmental stewardship.

 

By addressing the socio-economic factors driving environmental degradation, we foster intergenerational collaboration and nurture sustainable development initiatives.

 

YECI's mission is rooted in building resilient communities through environmental literacy, citizen science, and policy advocacy. The organization prioritizes participatory approaches, engaging local voices to identify challenges, craft grassroots solutions, and achieve tangible outcomes. By blending youth-led innovation with indigenous knowledge, YECI ensures that its interventions are both effective and socially, environmentally and culturally aligned.

 

Through capacity-building programs, peer mentorship, and grant support,YECI equips emerging leaders with the tools needed to address pressing environmental challenges

We Foster A Sense of Global Citizenship And Civil Responsibility Through Environmental Literacy

We equip, engage, and empower young people to become active stewards of the environment. Explore what we stand for and the values that drive everything we do.

What We Offer

  • An opportunity to lead change in your community.
  • Inspiration and networking with a community of like-minded individuals from across Africa who are passionate about accelerating climate action in the continent and beyond.
  • We will support you by providing resources and training to help you organize events and activities.
  • Receive guidance on your projects from our pool of youth mentors from across Africa.
  • Flexibility to work around your time and commitments.
  • Receive a certificate at the end of our programs documenting your role with us.

We Are By Africa for Youths in Africa

At YECI, our vision fuels our direction, our mission guides our action, and our philosophy shapes the heart behind our impact. Discover the purpose that powers our passion for environmental change.

Our Vision

To create a sustainable world with societies living in harmony with Nature.

Our Mission

To develop the next generation of leaders from Africa to champion climate resilience and sustainability through environmental education and climate leadership.

Our Philosophy

We are committed to the well-being and flourishing of the human life and that non-human life has value .

Favour Eragbie

Founder and Executive Director, YECI

FAVOUR ERAGBIE

What if there was a platform where African youths could access resources, find support for their work and develop their skills to lead innovation toward tackling climate change?

Changemaking can be very lonely. As an environmentalist from Nigeria, I had no clue about what my changemaking journey would look like or have access to chat with experienced colleagues about what I needed to do as a young changemaker.

OUR PROGRAMS

Our Commitment to Environmental Conservation is Not Just in Words — It’s in Action

Through our dynamic programs, we educate, engage, and empower young people to lead real, lasting change in their communities and beyond.

Campus Focal Point Program
The Campus Focal Point Program empowers university students to take a leading role to address climate change right from their university campuses helping and positioning them to be responsible leaders and drive climate solutions across communities.
Pledge for Nature
The Pledge for Nature project is using environmental education to build capacities in young people to help them move from knowledge to action to achieve the required action towards nature restoration and also engaging with young people early to understand the need and goals towards building societies living in harmony with nature.
Climate Cafe
The Climate Cafe is an inclusive space where individuals talk about climate change, ways to get involved to mitigate its effect and get an opportunity to learn from colleagues, and get inspired to take action.
Pledge for Nature Launchpad
The launchpad is a one on one mentorship program for emerging climate leaders from Africa to receive guidance on how to efficiently position themselves and their projects for global impact.
Leave No Trace
This clean up program prevents waste from degrading the environment by accelerating education to drive behavioural change and encourage recycling and upcycling of waste.
Bioblitz
A bioblitz is an event that focuses on finding and identifying as many species as possible in a specific area over a short period. These events help us track species and the health of ecosystems through citizen science.
Eco Tourism
Our Eco Tourism projects go beyond visiting places but doing so sustainably and learning from nature.
Tree Planting
Our Tree Planting programs begin with planting nurseries or distributing saplings to community members. This is part of our effort to combat deforestation.

OUR IMPACTS

Real Change is Measured by Real Results.

At YECI, Our impact is entirely driven by youth power and a generation rising to protect the planet. Here’s a glimpse of how far we’ve come — and how much further we’re going.

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Individuals Impacted Through Our Projects

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OUR IMPACT STORIES

Hear From Youths Who Have Benefitted From Our Programs

Tanatswa Mapfumo

I became a Focal Point for the Youth for Environmental Conservation Initiative in February 2024, stepping into the climate action space with very little to no experience but a deep curiosity. This role became the turning point in my career, shaping my understanding of environmental advocacy and action. Thanks to the incredible team, I gained the confidence and knowledge to apply for prestigious opportunities, including grants, which have helped me transition from a climate enthusiast to a dedicated advocate for sustainability. YECI is not just about nurturing changemakers for a better environment, it is shaping socially responsible individuals who will, in turn, inspire others to take action.

Aluko Damola

From starting out as a Campus Focal Point to becoming a Program Coordinator of this incredible community, my journey has been filled with growth, hard work, and perseverance. I joined YECI in 2024 and quickly immersed myself in leading key initiatives, including Cleanup Week and several impactful outreach programs. These experiences didn’t just shape events — they shaped me. Through YECI, I’ve built strong leadership and communication skills that I will carry with me for life. I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to serve and grow within a community so committed to meaningful change.

Valex Djeukui

As a Campus Focal Point at the Institut National Polytechnique Félix Houphouët-Boigny, my commitment to environmental sustainability has deepened. Through meaningful initiatives and community-driven actions, I have played a key role in fostering ecological awareness and inspiring positive change. These efforts have not only strengthened my advocacy but have also empowered my community to embrace more sustainable practices.

Mociruku Joyce

As a young African changemaker, joining YECI as a mentee gave me the validation I needed. I did not only get access to life-changing skills to transform my career as an environmentalist and network with climate professionals. I found a lifelong community to support my work

Our Team

Oluwadamilola Ali

Oluwadamilola Ali

Communications Lead
Damola Aluko

Damola Aluko

Education Initiative Lead
Simeon Kalua

Simeon Kalua

Mentorship Program, Lead
Tariro Maderera

Tariro Maderera

Virtual Programs Lead
Upendo Mwakyusa

Upendo Mwakyusa

Campus Engagement Lead
Mabel Taiwo

Mabel Taiwo

Content Lead
Florence Osei-Amponsah

Florence Osei-Amponsah

French Linguist

Supported By

The Journey to a More Sustainable Future is Not One We Walk Alone.

We’re grateful for the partnerships and recognition

Resources