The Problem and Motivation Behind
“The more people destroy trees, the more they bring destruction to the environment … But many people don’t even understand the impact—they don’t know the damage they are causing” William.
William Ojja Dominic (24-year-old) and his team lives in Agojo Refugee Settlement, located in Adjumani District, Uganda, where they witnessed first-hand being cut down at an alarming rate. People in their settlement heavily rely on trees for various needs such as building materials, firewood, charcoal production, and income generation. This unsustainable use of trees has led to forests destruction as well as conflicts between the host communities and refugees over the use of these natural resources.
They also suffered the problem of unemployment like the majority of young people in settlement another problem who have nothing to do and depend on aid. “We asked ourselves: What can we do to bring income, not just depend on aid organisations?” William shares. The answer was to find a solution that combines environmental awareness with practical action, helping both the environment and their own future.
The Innovative Solution
“We felt like we could be part of the solution. If we, as youth, speak to the community in their own language, they will listen to us more than if it comes from outsiders.” William.
When William and his team joined the Youth Innovation Lab (YIL) under the EU-funded Project RED, they chose to address the problem of forest destruction and environmental degradation in their settlement. They analysed the various factors contributing to it, and realised the urgent need to awareness raisings and mobilising their communities to adopt sustainable practices in their everyday life. This motivation led to the creation of the Youth Empowerment for Better Tomorrow, a youth group with a mission to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices in their refugee community.
With training and mentorship from YIL, they transformed from a group of youth with an idea into a recognised community initiative. As William proudly shares, “At first, we were just a group of youth with an idea. YIL gave us training, confidence, and resources to actually implement it. Now, we are recognised in our community!”.
Through a design thinking process, they gathered information and generated ideas on how to influence people in their settlement. Accordingly, the group developeda multifaced solution to protecting the environment while creating opportunities for youth in their settlement, as follow:
- Tree Planting – With support from local organisations, they planted over 2,000 tree seedlings to replenish lost forests.
- Educational Campaigns – They launched awareness activities, including:
- Community Sensitisation – Engaging both refugees and host communities in discussions about deforestation and conservation , which promoted a shared sense of responsibility. This collaborative approach helped to reduce conflicts between communities over natural resource use.
- School Debates – Encouraging students to learn and talk about environmental protection. This has fostered a sense of youth leadership, with schoolchildren now seeing William and his group as mentors.
- Radio Talk Shows – Spreading awareness to a wider audience, ensuring that environmental messages reached even those not directly involved in the campaigns.
- Promoting Energy-Saving Stoves – They encouraged the adoption of energy-efficient cookstoves, which reduce firewood consumption and protect trees. This simple yet effective solution has not only helped to cut down fewer trees but also improved women’s safety and well-being.
- Waste Management & Recycling – They educated people on proper waste disposal to prevent littering, and collect plastic waste for recycling, reducing pollution.
- T-Shirts with Environmental Messages – They sold branded T-shirts with conservation messages, turning everyday fashion into mobile awareness tools. This initiative not only promotes environmental protection but also contributes to the group’s economic sustainability.
- Other Income-Generating Activities – To sustain their environmental activities, they started businesses like a printing and photocopying centre (the only one in their settlement), and selling school supplies and food items, using profits to fund their awareness campaigns. These businesses created income opportunities for the group members, reducing their dependency on aid, and enabling them to support their families. For instance, William has managed to buy goats and chickens with his earnings, which will provide long-term income for him and his family.
Lessons Learned and Addressing Challenges
Reflecting on their experience, William identified three lessons learned:
- Participating in mentorship and technical training to bridge knowledge gaps: The team initially lacked knowledge and skills in environmental advocacy and business management, limiting their ability to implement and scale their initiatives effectively. To bridge this gap, they participated in mentorship programmes and technical training, gaining insights into project management, environmental advocacy, and sustainable practices. Participating in mentorship and training helps youth-led projects acquire essential knowledge and skills, building their capacity for successful implementation and long-term impact.
- Explaining pricing through financial literacy to overcome community resistance: Some community members initially complained that their T-shirts and products were too expensive, perceiving them as unaffordable. To address this issue, the team conducted financial literacy training, explaining the importance of fair pricing to ensure the project’s sustainability. Explaining pricing through financial literacy helps the community understand the value of products, fostering acceptance and supporting the initiative’s longevity.
- Saving a percentage of profits to reinvest in project expansion: The group faced challenges in acquiring better equipment, such as high-quality printers and cameras, necessary for expanding their activities. To tackle this issue, they implemented a strategy of saving a percentage of their profits, specifically earmarked for reinvestment in the project. Saving a percentage of profits for reinvestment ensures continuous growth and enhances the project’s capacity to meet community needs.
Next Steps and Future Aspirations
William reflects how their efforts boosted their agency within their settlement – “Before, people saw us as just youth with no power. Now, they call me ‘teacher’ and come to us for advice. We are making a difference, and we are just getting started!”. To further inspire their community for environmental sustainability, William and his team have a plan for their next steps as follows:
- Expand Tree Planting – They want to distribute more seedlings to households and schools.
- Improve Waste Management – By establishing permanent waste collection points.
- Scale Up Business Activities – Upgrading their printing and signage business to serve more customers.
- Train More Youth – Expanding their reach to train more young people in environmental awareness and business skills.
- Strengthen Partnerships – Working with more NGOs and local authorities to sustain their efforts.