Agriculture & Environment
Mak Commissions Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato Puree Processing Unit
Published
4 years agoon

Makerere University College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), represented by Dr. Richard Miiro, from the Department of Extension and Innovation Studies on 6th April 2022 commissioned an Orange Fleshed Sweet Potato (OFSP) Puree Processing Unit at Lishe Products Limited in Kasangati, Wakiso District. With support from BioInnovate Africa Programme Phase II Initiative, the College received funding for a project titled: OFSP Puree for Bakery Applications in East Africa for Nutrition, Post-harvest Loss Management, and Youth & Women Economic Empowerment, to work with a private sector entity to operationalize a processing unit that makes bakery and fried foods ingredient from Vitamin A rich OFSP. Lishe Products Limited was the private sector partner selected to host the processing unit after competitive scrutiny, although Makerere University takes responsibility for the technical assistance, research and training components in the project. Partner companies/institutions included: Euro Ingredients Kenya – PI; International Potato Centre Kenya – Co-PI, Hawassa University Ethiopia, Makerere University Uganda, and Women’s Bakery – Rwanda.

The OFSP Puree project started in 2018 and ended on 30th March 2022. The overall goal of the project was to contribute to improved nutrition and incomes in Uganda, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya (consortium countries) through a profitable and vibrant OFSP-based food value chain, and to promote the commercialization of Orange-fleshed Sweet potato (OFSP) puree products through demand creation, value addition and processing in baked and fried bakery products.
Specific objectives included:
- Increasing the productivity and production of OFSP among smallholder farmers linked to the processing activities in select regions of consortium countries
- Establishing OFSP puree processing factories in Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Ethiopia
- Developing market chains for OFSP-puree based bakery food products in consortium countries
- Piloting shelf-stable (12-24 months) OFSP puree for use in bakeries, culinary (coffee shops, hotels and restaurants) and ready to eat food formulations in Kenya using hot fill thermal processing technology
In his remarks, Dr. Richard Miiro, the Country Project Team Leader appreciated BioInnovate Africa for funding the project. He expressed gratitude to Prof. Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University and the entire CAES leadership for trusting them with the project, and Lishe and other partners for the job well done during the project implementation process. According to Dr. Miiro, the main aim of the OFSP project was to promote commercialization of the Orange fleshed potatoes developed by Ugandan scientists as well as establishing a Puree processing factory. OFSP Puree is a solution to Bakery Applications in East Africa: For Nutrition, Post-harvest loss management and youth & women Economic Empowerment. “Sweet Potato Puree is an ingredient used in chapatti, bread, cakes and can be used in juice making to reduce the cost of production and enhance quality,” he said.

The Chief Guest, His Worship Muwonge Tom, Mayor Kasangati Town Council congratulated Makerere University, partners and Lishe Products Limited upon the achievement. He appreciated BioInnovate Africa and Makerere University for considering them and promised to team up with residents in the bakery business to promote puree.

The Principal College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences was represented by Dr. Okello Ongom, Director Makerere University Agricultural Research Institute Kabanyolo (MUARIK) who extended appreciation to BioInnovate Africa for funding the research initiative, and the Puree project team for the innovation. He also acknowledged the contribution of the project team towards transforming Makerere into a research-led University as per the 2020-2030 Strategic Plan.

In her remarks, Ms. Sonia Mwandime, Director Lishe Products Limited thanked BioInnovate Africa and Makerere University for giving her the opportunity to host the Processing Unit at her business premises. “Without the support of Makerere University, we wouldn’t get this,” she said. In collaboration with Makerere University, Lishe Products Limited produces 250kgs of puree. Puree is a gluten-free product used in Chapati, bread, porridge, food, juice and fried products. You do not have to add sugar since the potatoes are already sweet. 700 grams of puree when added to 1 kg of wheat flour can yield 45 chapati as compared to 35 chapati got without adding puree.

Mr. Kabagambe Stephen from Uganda Chamber of Commerce applauded Makerere University for championing business incubation in the country. “Puree innovation is in line with the current government priority programmes under the National Development Plan (NDP III) and its associated with the Parish Development Model,” he noted. According to Mr. Kabagambe, prices of wheat are already high and with these substitutes, it will not only increase production but also address the market challenges. He cited the health benefits of puree and the need for Uganda Chamber of Commerce together with quality assurance bodies to assist such business initiatives to grow.

Mr. Antonio Magnagi, Jonisa Bakery noted that there are significant improvements in bakery products when mixed with puree. “Puree changes the physical appearance of Bakery products & increases profits. It increases profit margins compared to the products baked without puree.” Mr. Magnagi commended Makerere University for the partnerships geared towards improving livelihoods.
According to Mr. Kwikiriza Norman, CIP Nairobi, Puree is a good substitute for wheat, promotes food security, and nutritious with Vitamin A.

Phases of project Implementation
Phase 1: Developing a commercially viable prototype. EIL (Euro Ingredient Limited) has OFSP puree products prototypes and equipment designs ready to be piloted in East Africa
Phase 2: Preparatory period. EIL will work in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and Uganda with partners to identify key OFSP puree products for their markets. EIL will work on equipment, factory design, and food product development. CIP and university partners will conduct consumer acceptance and willingness to pay, as well as gender and nutrition impact studies.
Phase 3: Start-up period. The puree factories will be established in Ethiopia, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda by OFSP farmers engaged in CIP projects and start producing OFSP varieties. OFSP puree bakery products will be launched and promoted in consortium countries for rapid uptake.
Phase 4: Shelf-Stable OFSP puree trials in Kenya: In Kenya, the OFSP puree bread value chain has been successfully operating over the past three years with the involvement of CIP, Organi Limited, Euro-Ingredients, and Tuskys supermarkets. An OFSP puree processor in Homa Bay county (Organi Limited) makes puree and supplies frozen puree to Tuskys and Naivas Supermarket bakeries in Nairobi.

OFSP Puree Project Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of the project are to be mostly OFSP smallholder women farmers (15,000 targeted) in consortium countries, since most of the sweet potato production is carried out by women. They, and their families will benefit in the following ways:
- OFSP women smallholder farmers in consortium countries will directly benefit through creation of markets for the OFSP fresh roots and hence income.
- Smallholder farmers’ post-harvest losses from OFSP will be significantly reduced because of increased marketing opportunities from OFSP puree processors.
- Youths and women in Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda and Tanzania will be economically empowered.
- Street vendors, informal bakers, rural bakeries, food outlets, restaurants will have access to a shelf-stable, nutritious, affordable and versatile ingredient and a steady income for their families.
- In addition, indirect beneficiaries will be the urban and rural consumers who will have access to nutritious and healthier bakery products compared.

OFSP Puree Project Key Outputs
- Over the project period the key output has been producing OFSP puree at pilot level starting the month of September 2021.
- Prior to this, a pilot survey of “Consumer and market survey of bakery ingredients, products and fried foods in Kampala was carried out.
- Staff at Lishe received training on business readiness and they developed a business model canvas.
- A business acceleration coaching has also been provided by Growth Africa to staff of Lishe products Ltd.
- Conducted a laboratory study to determine the best way to preserve OFSP Puree using chemical preservatives
- Worked out a procedure for industrial scale application of preservatives into OFSP puree.
- Initiated on HACCP training for Lishe Staff
- Initiated and have guidance from UNBS in the process of getting the Q mark




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Agriculture & Environment
CPUg Project Equips Waste Management Personnel with Essential Skills
Published
1 week agoon
April 2, 2026
*****The two-day training, hosted by the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES) at Makerere University, was conducted under the auspices of the APPEAR Collaborative Research Project, ‘Clean and Prosperous Uganda – Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management for Improved Livelihoods (CPUg).
The challenge of waste management in Uganda
Fecal Sludge Management (FSM) and Solid Waste Management (SWM) are essential for building healthy, resilient communities. However, in many parts of Uganda, these systems remain underdeveloped, leaving communities exposed to a wide range of complex challenges.
Improper handling and disposal of fecal sludge and solid waste pose both immediate and long-term public health risks, including the spread of waterborne diseases like cholera, typhoid, and dysentery. When human waste is not safely contained, treated, or disposed of, pathogens can contaminate water, food, and soil, disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups such as children and residents of informal settlements.

Environmentally, unmanaged waste degrades ecosystems, pollutes rivers and wetlands, and contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Open dumping clogs drainage systems, heightening urban flood risks and facilitating disease transmission. Non-biodegradable materials, including plastics, can persist for decades, blocking waterways, harming wildlife, and weakening communities’ resilience to climate change.
The economic consequences are equally profound. Inefficient waste management undermines productivity by driving up healthcare costs, lowering property values, and limiting tourism and investment opportunities. Informal waste collection systems, often the only coping mechanism for many urban residents, fail to provide adequate protection for workers.

Given these intertwined health, environmental, and economic impacts, the burden of fecal sludge and solid waste in Uganda is not merely a municipal concern but a pressing national development issue. Urgent attention is required to invest in modern FSM and SWM infrastructure, promote behavioral change, and implement regulatory frameworks that ensure safe, sustainable, and inclusive waste management solutions. Without such interventions, the compounded risks to human well-being, ecosystems, and economic growth will continue to escalate.
Addressing the Challenge through the CPUg Project
The Clean and Prosperous Uganda – Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management for Improved Livelihoods (CPUg) Project, a collaborative initiative between the CAES, the Institute of Water Quality and Resource Management at Vienna University of Technology in Austria, the Department of Environmental and Livelihood Support Systems at Mbarara University of Science and Technology (MUST), and the Uganda Red Cross Society, seeks to tackle Uganda’s most pressing challenges in waste management.

The project set out to explore circularity concepts, test a variety of techniques for utilizing dried fecal sludge, analyze plastic recovery from existing composting plants, and evaluate the social and economic viability of improved FSM and SWM and their influencing factors on regional communities. Supported under the Austrian Partnership Programme in Higher Education and Research for Development (APPEAR), the project aims to examine how best to optimize and integrate FSM and SWM in rural settings in Wakiso District, refugee settlements in Arua District, and Uganda in general.
In addition to the technical aspects, the socio-economic viability of improved fecal sludge and solid waste management is being evaluated in terms of affordability, perceptions, and the willingness to accept and utilize these products. The project aims to contribute towards reshaping Uganda’s landscape through integrated solutions, scientific rigor, and inclusive community engagement. It stands as a model for integrated development.

It is coordinated by Prof. Jeninah Karungi Tumutegyereize from the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture at CAES, Makerere University.
Two-Day Training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management
The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at Makerere University, in collaboration with the Uganda Red Cross Society, Mbarara University of Science and Technology, and Vienna University of Technology, Austria, held a comprehensive two-day training on Integrated Fecal Sludge and Solid Waste Management.

The training, conducted on 30th-31st March 2026, at Makerere University was officially opened by the Principal of CAES, represented by Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula, Head of the Department of Crop Science and Horticulture. Participants included representatives from academia, the private sector, municipal authorities, service providers, and farmers.

The training programme aimed to equip personnel across the waste management value chain with the knowledge and skills to transform fecal sludge and solid waste into valuable, sustainable agricultural and economic resources. It covered topics such as occupational safety, waste management infrastructure, processing and post-treatment methods, composting, carbonization, material flow analysis, service gaps, and economic considerations in Greater Kampala. Participants were also trained in specialized software tools designed to enhance efficiency and manage waste-to-resource processes, promoting both environmental sustainability and economic viability.
Particular emphasis was placed on shifting perceptions of fecal sludge-based products among end users, mainly subsistence and commercial farmers.

Emerging Issues from the Training
- Weak fecal sludge management systems: Existing systems, particularly in refugee settlements, are inadequate.
- Public health risks: Improper sludge handling continues to threaten health – only 44% of fecal sludge is safely managed.
- Limited technical capacity: Practitioners need more training in safe handling and reuse technologies.
- Low adoption of resource recovery: Sludge-to-product innovations are underutilized.
- Environmental pollution: Untreated sludge contaminates soil, water, and surrounding ecosystems.
- Poor integration with agriculture: Opportunities for nutrient recycling are not fully exploited.
- Inadequate equipment: PPE, emptying tools, and treatment facilities are scarce.
- Low composting standards in Uganda: Composting often follows non-scientific methods.
- Behavioral and hygiene gaps: Handwashing and proper waste disposal practices remain weak.
- Underdeveloped waste-based value chains: Compost, briquettes, and fertilizers are not economically leveraged.
- High reliance on on-site sanitation: Sewer network coverage is below 10% in Greater Kampala.
- Insufficient emptying and collection services: Services are limited and costly.
- Limited private sector engagement: Public investment and private participation are inadequate.
- Treatment capacity and cost recovery challenges: Facilities are strained and revenue mechanisms weak.
- Low willingness or ability to pay: Users are reluctant or unable to afford improved services.
- Negative perceptions of fecal sludge products: Public attitudes hinder adoption.
- Regulatory and equity barriers: Awareness is limited, regulations are burdensome, and access is unequal.

Way Forward
Effective waste management is essential for public health, yet remains a significant challenge in Uganda, with few households able to empty their on-site sanitation facilities due to high costs. Experts emphasize the need for increased investment and prioritization of operator safety. Rigorous safety protocols and training are critical to safeguarding workers and ensuring sustainable operations.

Remarks by the CAES Leadership
On behalf of the Principal of CAES, Dr. Mildred Ochwo Ssemakula underscored Uganda’s immense potential to benefit from effective fecal sludge and solid waste management. “In an agriculture-dependent country, converting waste into organic fertilizer and other resources can significantly enhance productivity and generate substantial economic benefits. At the CAES, we are proud to collaborate and support initiatives like CPUg through innovative research and capacity-building programmes that directly address Uganda’s environmental challenges. I extend my sincere gratitude to the researchers and partners for their unwavering commitment to advancing research and environmental management. Makerere University highly values these collaborations, and together, we form a powerful coalition driving positive change in Uganda’s development.”

The CPUg project has contributed to capacity-building by training five PhD students, three from Makerere University and two from Vienna University of Technology, as well as three MSc students from Makerere University. The results are expected to improve knowledge in waste management and strengthen stakeholder capacity across the waste management value chain.
Pictorial of the training:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1B9nUVHhQEsFncLJR3rlHN0Dd2-f7BStR?usp=sharing
Agriculture & Environment
RUFS Project Team Enhances Capacity of Smallholder Farmers in Mbale City in Financial Management & Communication
Published
2 weeks agoon
April 1, 2026
Achieving lasting and sustainable success in agriculture goes far beyond planting and harvesting. It requires a diverse skill set, including financial literacy to manage budgets and make sound investment decisions, as well as effective record-keeping to track performance, inform operations, and identify opportunities for improvement. Equally important is strategic communication, which enables farmers to market their products, build brand visibility, and enhance profitability.
A strong understanding of group dynamics is also essential in helping farmers foster collaboration within cooperatives, community initiatives, and peer networks. By integrating these competencies, agricultural entrepreneurs can maximize productivity, optimize resource use, and build resilient enterprises capable of adapting to evolving environmental, economic, and social conditions.

Despite the vital role urban farmers play in ensuring food security, many still lack the technical knowledge and skills needed to optimize productivity. This gap limits output and undermines the profitability, efficiency, and long-term sustainability of their farming enterprises.
Addressing the Skills Gap Through Phase II of the RUFS Project
Phase II of the Resilient Urban Food Systems (RUFS) Project aims to address these challenges. Through hands-on training programmes in Mbale City and Kasese Municipality, the initiative seeks to equip urban farmers with practical knowledge, modern techniques, and adaptive strategies to improve productivity.

Led by Prof. Frank Mugagga from the Department of Geography, Geo-Informatics, and Climate Sciences at the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (CAES), Makerere University, and supported by the AgriFoSe2030 Programme, the project focuses on strengthening urban food systems to withstand climate-related shocks such as floods and droughts. By promoting climate-smart agricultural practices, the initiative empowers farmers to sustain productive, profitable, and resilient operations, ultimately improving livelihoods and contributing to stable urban food supplies.
Training Sessions in Mbale City
To enhance their skills, the RUFS Project team held training sessions for smallholder farmers in Mbale City on 26th-27th March 2026. Hosted at the home of Hajji Siraji Kamulegeya, a mixed farmer in Nankusi Cell, Northern Division in Mbale City, the training provided a community-centered setting that encouraged active participation and peer learning.

A total of 25 farmers attended the training, which aimed to strengthen financial literacy and enhance overall farm management practices. The sessions covered essential topics such as effective bookkeeping, farmer group dynamics, systematic documentation of farm activities, and the strategic use of media to share knowledge and promote agricultural products and services.
Farmers actively engaged in the discussions, openly sharing their experiences and the challenges they encounter. Many confessed that they did not maintain proper financial records, citing limited knowledge of record-keeping practices, the busy schedules, and, in some cases, low motivation to adopt structured documentation systems.
Training in Financial Management
In a comprehensive training session focused on bookkeeping, Mr. Mbowa Henry from AidEnvironment, also a member of the RUFS Project, emphasized the critical importance of maintaining accurate, consistent, and systematically organized financial records. He noted that proper record-keeping not only improves financial management but also strengthens farm management and promotes long-term economic sustainability of farming enterprises.

He introduced the farmers to the core components of an effective record-keeping system, including cashbooks, receipt books, expenditure registers, and bank records, tools essential for monitoring income, tracking expenses, and evaluating overall performance.
He encouraged the participants to actively apply the knowledge acquired, stressing that consistent adoption of these practices would empower them to optimize their farm operations, enhance productivity, and secure sustainable financial growth for their agricultural ventures.

Managing Farmer Group Dynamics
In addition to financial skills, the RUFS Project team, led by Mr. Mbowa and Ms. Ritah Pavin Nakanjako, provided guidance on farmer group dynamics. Discussions centered on common challenges affecting collective farming and strategies to address them. Key challenges identified included the lack of shared goals, conflicting individual interests, weak saving culture, leadership gaps, unregistered or family-centered groups, low participation in group activities, uncoordinated initiatives, politicking, and limited financial management skills, all of which hinder the success of farmer groups. The trainers emphasized the importance of unity, clear objectives, and structured collaboration in strengthening group performance.
Climate Change Risks
Another significant topic of discussion was climate change and its devastating effects, as well as the social and hydrological histories, emphasizing the urgent need for adaptive strategies in agriculture. The Elgon region, which spans Eastern Uganda’s highlands and the foothills of Mount Elgon, is particularly vulnerable to extreme rainfall, flash floods, and landslides due to its steep terrain, heavy seasonal rains, and densely settled, erosion-prone slopes. Over the decades, such disasters, most notably in 1997-2004, 2010, 2018, 2022, and 2023, have resulted in displacement, destroyed livelihoods, damaged infrastructure, increased food insecurity, and heightened health risks.

During the training, farmers shared firsthand accounts of the devastating impacts of recurrent floods in the region. Facilitated by Mr. David Luswata, a Masters student supported by the project, and Ms. Patricia Kiggundu, a member of the project, the sessions offered a collaborative platform for participants to explore long-term, sustainable solutions aimed at reducing both the risks and economic losses associated with climate variability. As part of his Masters research on flood risk management among smallholder farmers in Mbale City, Mr. David Luswata engaged the farmers on the impact of floods on crops, livestock, property and livelihoods.
Documentation and Knowledge Sharing
The training also emphasized the critical role of documentation in effective farm management and knowledge sharing. Mr. Juma Wephukulu, a member of the RUFS Project and Chairperson of the Mbale City Food Systems Platform, offered detailed guidance on essential practices for recording day-to-day agricultural activities. Drawing from his own experience, Mr. Wephukulu authored a book chronicling his farming journey. Supported by RUFS, the publication serves as an educational guide and an inspirational resource, equipping other farmers with practical insights, strategies, and motivation to enhance productivity and resilience.

Communication and Media Engagement
Another distinctive feature of the training was its focus on communication and media engagement. Farmers were encouraged to leverage media platforms to amplify their voices and share their experiences with wider audiences. Mr. Wataba Shaban, a talk-show host at IUIU FM in Mbale City, led a simulated radio talk-show session, demonstrating effective techniques for communicating agricultural issues and providing participants with practical skills for public engagement.

Community Perspectives
Many of the factors driving climate change are the result of human activity, frequently stemming from unsustainable agricultural practices and improper construction methods. Representing the farming community, Hajji Siraji Kamulegeya called for more educational programmes and capacity-building initiatives to deepen understanding of the causes of climate change and strategies for mitigating its impact. He expressed gratitude to the funders and the project team for the interventions.
Addressing the participants, Mr. Munowa Hassan, LC1 Chairman of Nankusi Cell in Northern City Division, Mbale City appreciated Makerere University for its numerous initiatives aimed at empowering farmers and enhancing food security. He called for the expansion of such projects.

Action Planning
To translate knowledge into action, participants collectively developed a concrete action plan and a monitoring and evaluation framework to track progress, measure outcomes, and make necessary adjustments to achieve the desired impact.
A similar training will be conducted in Kasese Municipality.
Pictorial of the training:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1OLgem3m5Lnnq5b0Nm4giPKcBnZPsZrEF?usp=sharing
More about the RUFS trainings: https://news.mak.ac.ug/2025/10/rufs-project-team-trains-smallholder-farmers-in-mbale-city-in-smart-agronomic-practices/
More photos












Agriculture & Environment
Empowering Marginalized Youth for Climate Justice: A Participatory Action Research Project
Published
2 weeks agoon
March 30, 2026
The Youth for Climate Justice (Y4CJ) project is a groundbreaking initiative that amplifies the voices and agency of marginalized youth in the global South and North. The mission of the project is to foster sustainable and effective climate activism among young people from diverse backgrounds, while prioritizing their well-being and social justice.

Building Partnerships for Climate Action
Through a collaborative approach, the project partners with the youth, key stakeholders, and academics to co-create knowledge and strategies that empower marginalized youth to take ownership of climate action. The partnerships are built on trust, respect, and a shared commitment to social and environmental justice.

Countries of Focus
The project centers on empowering marginalized youth across diverse regions, specifically focusing on: Brazil, Haiti, South Africa, Uganda (representing the global South); and Canada, and United Kingdom (representing the global North). By engaging youth from both the global South and North, the project will foster an inclusive and intersectional approach to climate activism, recognizing the unique challenges and opportunities faced by marginalized youth in different socio-economic and cultural contexts.

Purpose and Project Objectives
The main purpose of the project is to establish partnerships with youth, key stakeholders and academics to understand and create better conditions for marginalized youth’s meaningful and sustained involvement in climate action, through climate activism. This includes ensuring the sustainability and effectiveness of their activism without compromising their own well-being in the process.

The Youth4CJ project has two specific objectives:
- To develop sustainable partnerships between academic and non-academic partners to generate capacity and understanding of the factors that facilitate or constrain marginalized youths’ sustained involvement in climate activism.
- To partner with youth as collaborators and co-researchers using participatory methods to identify, understand, and address local climate challenges faced by marginalized youth.

Project Activities
The main activities of the project will include:
- Participatory Workshops to identify youth challenges and barriers to climate action/activism through Group Level Assessment (GLA)
- Action Project to address the barriers identified in a collaborative way through youth Participatory Action Research (yPAR)
- Group Discussion to understand experiences and learning from action project

Under the leadership of Professor Frank Mugagga, Co-Principal Investigator and Uganda Country Lead, the project convened a strategic, one-day workshop dedicated to empowering marginalized youth in climate justice. The event was held on Friday, March 13th, 2026, at JFrigh Hotel Makerere – Kikoni. The workshop marked a significant milestone in advancing youth agency, advocacy, and social transformation in the fight against climate change.


Issues Arising from The Workshop
The workshop employed an GLA methodology, where youth responded to several pre-written prompts on issues relating to climate activism in the Ugandan context, to come up with common themes. The participants identified four key challenges (common emerging themes) shaping climate action and activism. These included; limited funding, knowledge gaps, weak or unclear policies, and systemic barriers. Across discussions, these issues were reinforced by concerns about inadequate government support, restrictive funding requirements, exclusion of certain group, and the mental health strain associated with sustained activism.

To address these challenges, participants proposed practical and collaborative solutions. These include improving access to funding by easing eligibility criteria, increasing government support, strengthening climate education and awareness at community level, and reforming policies to ensure clarity, relevance, and effective implementation. Emphasis was also placed on building strong partnerships among youth groups, government institutions, and local communities.

Lastly, the youth also highlighted a need for inclusivity, mentorship, and collective action to better equip and empower young people to lead impactful and sustainable climate initiatives.



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