This inclusive educational initiative promoted the emergence of a new generation of ecologically responsible citizens.
The bimodal rainfall forest zone in the Central Cameroon region is plagued by bush fires, illegal logging, human pressure on resources and illegal charcoal production. These practices contribute to the degradation of the natural environment, the collapse of biodiversity and the climate, and the deterioration of the cultural and archaeological heritage of local communities.
The "Awareness-raising and environmental education for young people in vocational training schools and communities" project initiated by the Cameroonian NGO Alternatives Durables pour le Développement (ADD) was supported by the Audemars Piguet Foundation for Trees with the aim of contributing to the participative and sustainable management of the environment and forests by raising young people's awareness of the issues involved. As a result of the awareness-raising activities, 2,604 young people under the age of 35 from six technical and vocational training schools, and 2,018 members of local communities living near the Melombo community forest in Mbalmayo carried out environmental management activities and restored degraded forest landscapes in accordance with local ancestral knowledge. The technical and vocational training schools impacted by the project received 2,354 brochures and 12 picture boxes on sustainable environmental management. The eco-clubs created have planted 525 (agro)forest species. They have recycled waste, produced decorative objects, and set up online discussion sites on ecological and climate issues.
