GREENOVATE: Building Youth Capacity for Green Development in Africa

ongoing

The GREENOVATE project empowers young people in Sub-Saharan Africa to become leaders in green entrepreneurship and sustainable development. By fostering collaboration between youth organizations, educational institutions, and policymakers in the EU and Sub-Saharan Africa, the project addresses critical challenges such as youth unemployment, environmental degradation, and limited access to education and training. The project’s objectives are to: (1) strengthen the capacity of youth organizations to support green entrepreneurship; (2) equip young people with the skills and resources needed to develop and launch green businesses; (3) promote cross-cultural collaboration and learning; and (4) integrate project outcomes into formal education and national youth policies. These objectives will be achieved through a mix of capacity-building workshops, youth exchanges, youth-led initiatives, and policy dialogue events. Key activities include training youth workers, organizing youth exchanges in Ivory Coast, Zambia, and Nigeria, supporting youth-led green projects, and facilitating workshops with policymakers. The project’s relevance to the Erasmus+ CBY Work Programme lies in its alignment with the EU Youth Strategy and the 11 European Youth Goals, particularly Goal 7 (Quality Employment for All) and Goal 10 (Sustainable Green Europe). By promoting green entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability, GREENOVATE contributes to the EU’s priorities of inclusion, diversity, and climate action. The project will create long-term impact by integrating outcomes into educational curricula, strengthening networks, and supporting youth-led green businesses. Results will be disseminated through an online platform, a final conference, and policy recommendations, ensuring broad reach and sustainability. GREENOVATE exemplifies the power of international collaboration to empower young people and address global challenges.