Protect Congo Youth & Restore Nature

Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is facing a deep environmental and humanitarian crisis. Conflict, deforestation, displacement, poverty, unmanaged waste, and polluted water are placing enormous pressure on communities in North Kivu, South Kivu, and Maniema. Young people and marginalized girls are among those most affected, often facing unemployment, limited access to education, and few opportunities to build secure livelihoods. Protect Congo Youth & Restore Nature was created in response to these challenges, with a simple but powerful vision: equip young people to become leaders in protecting their communities, restoring nature, and promoting healthier lives.

The project is currently in its preparation and resource-mobilization phase. We are identifying qualified trainers and prospective learners who will participate in activities focused on environmental education, community health, recycling, tree nursery development, agroforestry, medicinal plants, and reforestation. Youth-led communication activities—including music, theatre, and radio programs—will help bring environmental and health messages directly to families and communities. The project is planned to begin in November 2025, with a total funding target of $45,000. To date, we have raised $0, but our collaboration with GlobalGiving gives us an important opportunity to reach a wider community of international supporters and mobilize the resources needed to turn this vision into action.

We believe that investing in young people is one of the most sustainable ways to protect Eastern Congo's future. With the support of donors, youth clubs will be able to establish tree nurseries, plant trees, recycle waste, promote healthier communities, and develop income-generating activities that can particularly benefit unemployed youth and girls. Over time, we expect these efforts to contribute to cleaner neighborhoods, restored ecosystems, improved community health, greater climate resilience, and stronger local livelihoods. Every contribution can help move this project from preparation to implementation and give young people the tools they need to become environmental leaders in their own communities.

We sincerely thank GlobalGiving for providing a platform through which this initiative can connect with supporters around the world, and we extend our heartfelt gratitude to every donor who chooses to stand with the communities of Eastern Congo. We now invite individuals, foundations, organizations, and friends of Congo to support this initiative. Your contribution can help a young person learn, a tree take root, a neighborhood become cleaner, and a community become more resilient. Together, we can protect Congo's natural environment while investing in the young people who will carry its future forward.