ECO CHAMPIONS

EMPOWERING YOUTH FOR GENDER-RESPONSIVE CLIMATE ACTION

Eco-Champions empowers young climate activists from difficult backgrounds, especially women and girls. Through training, mentorship, community building, and resources, the program supports them in transforming ideas into impactful projects for sustainable community-based climate action.

Our vision is local communities leading gender-responsive climate action to enhance the resilience of children, young people, and families.

We aim to:

  • Equip young people from difficult backgrounds, especially women and girls, with the skills, networks, resources, and opportunities to drive local climate action and personal growth.

  • Build awareness of youth-driven climate action.

  • Foster partnerships and a supportive community for climate action and resilience.

My dream is to establish a community 
where over 10,000 school children and 
market vendors would be educated on 
climate change.

Shukurat Akinola from Lagos, Nigeria, is dedicated to tackling flooding through waste management and environmental education. Her initiative reaches people in her community, particularly students and market vendors, teaching sustainable solutions to improve waste disposal and promote eco-friendly practices.

The Eco Champions programme was initiated by SOS Children’s Villages Germany, 
in partnership with SOS Children’s Villages International and national offices 
in Jordan, Uganda, Nigeria, Namibia, Somalia, and Sierra Leone.

This is how many initiatives are taken in each focus area:

In just 18 months, youth-led initiatives reached nearly 12,000 people directly and more than 350,000 through multipliers. Their impact goes beyond the numbers. Evidence consistently shows that child- and youth-led climate action reduces risk and strengthens local preparedness. When young people lead, communities become more resilient.

Eco Champions have been building safer, more prepared communities across Africa from the ground up.

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