Zanzibar: The Education Above All (EAA) Foundation, through its Reach Out To All (ROTA) programme, in partnership with the Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar and UNICEF, has launched a landmark initiative that will empower more than 100,000 male and female students to lead climate action and drive sustainable development in communities across Zanzibar.
According to Qatar News Agency, the initiative, titled "Youth-Led Climate Change Actions for Sustainable Development in Zanzibar," will be implemented in 216 secondary schools across all 11 districts of Zanzibar, including both Unguja and Pemba islands. With USD3.5 million co-funded by the EAA Foundation, with support from the Qatar Fund for Development (QFFD) and UNICEF, the initiative targets more than 100,000 secondary school students and 5,600 out-of-school youth aged 15-24. It aims to empower them to participate in climate adaptation, resilience, and mitigation efforts.
The initiative seeks to integrate climate change education into Zanzibar's secondary school curriculum, enhance climate resilience, adaptation, and mitigation knowledge among out-of-school youth, and mobilize secondary school students and out-of-school youth to lead greening initiatives in schools and communities. This aligns with Zanzibar's development and environmental policies, which aim to promote climate resilience activities, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote sustainable development, and ensure children's rights to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment.
HE Minister of Education and Vocational Training in Zanzibar, Lela Muhamed Mussa, stated: "Integrating climate change education into our curriculum is a significant step towards sustainable development. By involving our young people in practical climate actions, we are fostering a generation that is environmentally conscious and prepared to lead Zanzibar towards a greener future."
The initiative will focus on five key areas that young people will learn about, including food security, water conservation, renewable energy solutions, waste management, forestation, and greening. Participants will engage in practical activities with long-term benefits for themselves and the community. They will be trained in specific skills and knowledge on agriculture, which will result in improved methods for food production, improved energy consumption, and participation in greening and water conservation training.
Executive Director of the EAA's ROTA programme, Abdulla Al Abdulla, remarked: "At Education Above All Foundation, we believe young people are not just beneficiaries of climate action, they are its driving force. This initiative puts adolescents, both in and out of school, at the heart of sustainable development, equipping them with the skills to build greener communities and resilient futures. By investing in climate education today, we are empowering a generation to protect their environment and lead transformative change across Zanzibar and beyond."
UNICEF Representative to Tanzania, Elke Wisch, added: "Empowering children and youth with the knowledge and skills to tackle environmental challenges is vital for their future and their communities. This initiative equips adolescent girls and boys in Zanzibar to become proactive agents of change, while also strengthening community resilience to ensure a sustainable and prosperous future for all."
In addition to benefiting young people, the initiative will directly train more than 800 adults, including teachers, head teachers, and local administrators. It will also lead to benefits for facilitators, community members, and local businesses. The initiative will seek collaborations with community members, involving local leaders and inclusive approaches to amplify youth-led climate actions.