Youth environmental leaders held a three-day AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) National Youth Workshop held in Kitui County with an aim of developing a youth declaration.

The convention, themed “From Science to Youth Action for Sustainable Forestry,” was conducted by the African Forest Forum in collaboration with the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI) and the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU).

During the workshop, youth were able to co-develop practical solutions, enhance their skills in conservation and ecopreneurship, and advocate for national and international forestry discourse.

This is a build-up to the upcoming COP 30, scheduled for November 2025 in Brazil, where African youth will present their unified voice and policy recommendations on forestry, climate action, and sustainable development.

A statement in the declaration stated that young people are not just future leaders rather they are today’s drivers of sustainability and innovation; with a readiness to take charge in ensuring that the forests thrive while creating inclusive economic opportunities that benefit both communities and the planet.

The young leaders took reaffirmed their central role in the country’s green transition and forest conservation agenda by evaluating the challenges facing forest ecosystems in Kenya, ranging from climate change, limited inclusion of youth in policy-making, deforestation, to lack of access to funding and technical training.

According to KEFRI Chief Executive Officer Dr. Jane Njuguna, forests are at the heart of Kenya’s environmental resilience and socio-economic future. She noted that empowering young people to become stewards of our forests is no longer optional but an urgent necessity.

The workshop embodies the AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) initiative a representation of the dynamic intersection between Africa’s verdant forests and its vibrant youth population with an array of opportunities. AY4F focuses on empowering youth aged 18–30 to transform environmental aspirations into practical actions that protect biodiversity, mitigate climate impacts, and generate green livelihoods.

“This workshop ensures that the next generation not only understands our forests but also actively shapes how they are governed, restored, and sustained,” stated Dr. Njuguna.

It embraced a focus on taking the next step from scientific and indigenous knowledge into youth-led action, equipping youth with tools for sustainable forest management and conservation, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the green economy, and strengthening youth advocacy for policy influence and decision-making.

Dr. Mutta, representing the AFF Executive Secretary-CEO, Prof. Labode Popoola, emphasized that through the AfricanYouth4Forests project, there’s a connection of science and traditional knowledge with action, which is deemed helpful for young people to understand their role in forest governance and climate action.

This transition to a sustainable utilization of forest resources is pegged on digital proficiency, innovation, and grassroots knowledge and networks youth possess. This comes as an advantage to implementation of nature-based solutions at both local and global levels with a call for meaningful engagement of youth in sustainability debates and policy forums.

“By integrating these, we create a holistic foundation for decision-making, innovation, and stewardship. This fusion empowers the youth to take informed action, preserve ecosystems, and design adaptive solutions that are both contextually relevant and scientifically sound, ensuring forests remain a source of livelihood, identity, and ecological balance for generations to come,” said Dr. Mutta.

Echoing Mutta’s sentiments, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) Prof. Anders Roos and co-facilitator revealed that the AY4F initiative is more than a training rather it’s more of a launchpad for youth-driven transformation.

She stressed that with scientific understanding and creative problem-solving, African youth are being equipped to design forest solutions rooted in both innovation and local realities.

With a staunch rallying call, they urged the Kenyan government to integrate youth in forestry governance, expand youth-focused green financing and training programs, and embed sustainable forest education across the curriculum, particularly in tertiary education.

The private sector, NGOs, and development partners were urged to support youth with mentorship, technical support, storytelling platforms, and resources for enterprise incubation.

In emphasis of the opportunities within the forestry space, Africa Forest Forum (AFF) Consultant Dr. Joshua Cheboiwo noted that forests are more than just natural treasures but also powerful engines for job creation and economic growth.

He urged the youth to leverage their creativity and commitment within AfricanYouth4Forests to harness the vast opportunities within forestry, from sustainable timber and non-timber products to ecotourism, beekeeping, and green innovation.