Youth Leadership Program
Since the 1960s, AWF has worked to foster the best and brightest minds to lead conservation in Africa. We collaborate with like-minded partners to train future conservationists and change agents, engage young people in conservation learning and advocacy, and mobilize youth to demand meaningful conservation action. All these efforts help create new generations of young people using their talent and creativity to protect Africa’s wildlife and essential ecosystems.
Latest News
Over 4,000 Young Conservationists Participate in Second Shujaa Zone Competition, With Over 250 Awarded
AWF, Wildlife Clubs of Kenya and Kenya Wildlife Service recognize young conservation champions from across the Tsavo Landscape
MAKUENI COUNTY, Kenya — More than 4,000 learners from across Kenya’s Tsavo Landscape participated in the second edition of the Shujaa Zone Competition, marking significant growth in a conservation education initiative designed to give children and young people a stronger role in shaping the future of Kenya’s wildlife and natural landscapes.
The young conservationists were celebrated during the Shujaa Zone Competition Award Ceremony held at Ngwata Comprehensive School in Makueni County, bringing together learners, teachers, conservation organizations and government representatives.
The competition is implemented by the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) in partnership with the Wildlife Clubs of Kenya (WCK), with support from Bob and Emmy King, as part of the four-year Young Conservation Heroes project. The initiative engages children aged 7–17 across 137 selected schools in Tana River, Kwale, Kilifi, Kitui, Makueni, Taita Taveta and Kajiado counties.
Speaking as Chief Guest, Zainab Salim,…
How We Engage Youth
The AWF-Wall Youth Leadership Program
The AWF-Wall Youth Leadership Program offers nine-month fellowships along two tracks: international environmental policy and conservation management. Participants receive leadership training, professional opportunities, and intense mentorship and coaching support as they develop problem-solving skills through hands-on experience.
>>Learn more about the fellowships
Youth-Led Enterprises
We support young people to boost their income through enterprises that reduce pressure on biodiversity and increase climate change resilience. This includes a training curriculum with modules on business principles and ethics, business proposals, marketing, recordkeeping, financial management, and more.
>>Learn more about youth enterprise initiatives in Zimbabwe
Internships
We partner with the Africa Leadership University (ALU) to offer three-month internships for students to work with AWF programs at either our Nairobi headquarters or in our country offices. The internships allow students to make tangible contributions to conservation with the experience contributing to their required research capstone.
Kenyan Youth Biodiversity Network Co-Founder Kevin Lunzalu addresses youth participants at the 15th meeting of the Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022
Global Youth Biodiversity Network - Africa
We support the African chapter of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network, or GYBN, by convening workshops and conferences that amplify African youth voices in biodiversity policy agendas.
Since 2018, we have facilitated workshops for country representatives of the GYBN, which is the official youth delegation to the Convention on Biological Diversity (or CBD, an international body of the United Nations that shapes global commitments to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity and to fairly and equitably share the benefits of biological life), to help these young leaders prepare for deliberations.
We also co-convene the African Youth Summit on Biodiversity, which is a forum for young people from across the continent to highlight their priorities and organize concrete, youth-led action.
>>Learn about how young Africans are rallying for biodiversity
