EMERGING INITIATIVES
At Collaborative for Change, we believe transformation begins at the grassroots. Our Emerging Initiatives program supports early-stage, community-led projects with strong potential for regenerative impact. Each initiative is co-developed with local and indigenous knowledge-holders, blending community expertise with our team’s experience in ecosystem restoration, agroforestry, and public health. Participants receive mentorship, training (including Jill Wagner’s 9-month restoration course), and guidance in shaping viable, fundable pilots.
AGIE AND FLORA SKILLS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE 2026 -2027 cohort
Agie and Flora skills development center addresses concerns related to menstrual health and menstrual hygiene affecting the wellbeing of girls and young mothers in underprivileged communities in Uganda. The project focuses on increasing awareness about menstrual hygiene, ensuring constant availability of affordable and reusable menstrual towels, reducing stigma and promoting positive attitudes on menstrual health, and improving school attendance for adolescent girls.
Pius Galabuzi
is the Executive Director of the Agie and Flora Skills Development Center, a community-based organization in Uganda. A medical student with a strong commitment to improving menstrual health and hygiene, he has spent the past four years promoting women’s empowerment through practical skills such as making reusable sanitary pads. Young and ambitious, he aspires to make an even greater impact on the lives of women.
IDEAS FOR US-UGANDA 2026 -2027 cohort
This project aims to strengthen Climate Justice Academies in Uganda by supporting key unfunded activities.
Since November 2024, Isaac Sinamakosa of IDEAS For Us – Uganda has organized academies that educate children on climate justice and practical climate action. While international organisations have provided educational materials and resources, gaps remain in reforestation. This initiative will address those needs through school-based nursery bed programmes, monitoring, and documentation. Guided by the slogan “STOP TALKING, START PLANTING,” it empowers children to move from awareness to tangible, community-led environmental action.
Isaac Sinamakosa
is the Managing Director and Co-founder of IDEAS For Us–Uganda, an autonomous branch of the global environmental sustainability organisation based in Florida, USA. He also serves as Uganda’s Coordinator for Plant-for-the-Planet, leading youth-focused climate justice academies across schools. Additionally, he is an accredited Future-Fit Advisor in Africa, working with the UK-based Future-Fit Foundation to guide businesses towards environmentally restorative, socially just, and economically inclusive practices. His work reflects a strong commitment to sustainability, youth empowerment, and transformative environmental leadership.
The "Seeds of Resilience: Community Seed Ark for Kenya" initiative addresses threats to the nation's interwoven biocultural heritage from climate change and poor seed storage, which jeopardize smallholder food security. The solution is a solar-powered, climate-controlled Seed Ark housed in a refurbished shipping container to ensure long-term seed viability and farmer access to high-quality, locally adapted seeds. Complemented by training and cultural exchange, the project aims to build climate resilience, revitalize indigenous knowledge, and create a replicable model for seed sovereignty.
Teresa Muthoni
is the founder of Homegrown Sustainability Solutions, a seasoned environmental leader with over 10 years of experience designing and managing community-led restoration and climate resilience programs across Africa. She is a registered Lead Expert in Environmental Impact Assessment with NEMA-Kenya, holds a degree in Environmental Studies and Community Development, and a Master’s degree in Project Management. Teresa brings deep expertise in ecosystem restoration, seed sovereignty, strategic program management, partnership building, and gender-responsive approaches.
Progressive single mothers Network (PROSIMA) 2026 -2027 cohort
Progressive Single Mothers Network (PROSIMA) will implement an 18-month Integrated Fruit Growing and Agroforestry Project in Kakiri Subcounty, Wakiso District, Uganda. Targeting 700 vulnerable households, with wider outreach to 5,000 community members, the project promotes tree planting, agroforestry and sustainable land management. By establishing 30,000 fruit and multipurpose trees alongside vegetables, it will strengthen food security, nutrition, income generation and environmental conservation. Training, nursery establishment, improved farming practices and collective marketing will build resilience, reduce forest loss and foster women and youth-led agro-enterprises, contributing to poverty reduction, ecosystem restoration and long-term community livelihoods.
Dalia Nakakande
is the founder of Progressive Single Mothers Network. A climate activist, female activist, social worker, counselor with over seven years of experience working with vulnerable women. Always advocating for equitable distribution of benefits and burdens of climate change. A change agent and always ready to learn.
Green Guardians Conservation Hub is spearheading an innovative environmental initiative aimed at restoring degraded landscapes, protecting endangered species, and empowering local communities through sustainable practices. The project focuses on afforestation, reforestation, and soil restoration, alongside raising awareness on biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation in Uganda.
Ambrose Iradukunda
is an environmental scientist with over a decade of experience in climate change advocacy, community-led conservation programs, and ecological research. Under his leadership, Green Guardians has successfully implemented large-scale tree planting campaigns and community sensitisation initiatives across multiple districts.
Biorestore Rwanda 2026 -2027 cohort
BioRestore Rwanda is an initiative committed to restoring degraded land, strengthening
ecosystems, and ensuring access to clean water for vulnerable communities in the western province of Rwanda.
Our approach is built on three main pillars. First, we focus on land restoration and agroforestry
practices. By promoting terraces, contour farming, and tree planting, including bamboo and
nitrogen-fixing species, we reduce erosion, improve soil fertility, and create climate-resilient farms. These systems also diversify farmers’ income sources while protecting the environment.
Second, we address water management and river stabilization. To reduce flood risks and protect watersheds, we construct drainage systems, water harvesting structures, and stabilize riverbanks with gabions, bamboo planting, and protective walls. This reduces destructive runoff, restores balance in water catchments, and safeguards communities downstream.
Third, we emphasize the rehabilitation of springs to ensure safe, clean, and sustainable water
supplies. Protecting spring catchments and improving infrastructure enhances both public health
and livelihoods, especially in flood-prone areas.
Aloys Mumyembabazi
is the leader of BioRestore Rwanda, restoring degraded land, strengthening ecosystems, and advancing climate-resilient agriculture. With a degree in Irrigation and Drainage Engineering from the University of Rwanda, he gained expertise in water management and soil conservation, contributing to the rehabilitation of Mugogo swamp. Trained in leadership through YALI Nairobi and as Millennium Fellowship Campus Director, he guided impactful community projects. Raised in flood-prone Kanama, Aloys’s personal experiences fuel his commitment to ecosystem restoration. Through BioRestore Rwanda, he drives agroforestry, riverbank stabilisation, and sustainable water management to build resilient communities.
Initiative For Life Concern 2025-2026 cohort
The Initiative for Life Concern has launched a project titled “Community-driven Reforestation Efforts for Global Climate-change Mitigation, Ecological and Socio-economic Resilience in the Rwenzori Region.” This project focuses on reforestation using endangered indigenous species, such as Prunus Africana, Artocarpus heterophyllus, and Annona muricata, which not only hold medicinal and cultural significance but also contribute to carbon sequestration, erosion control, and biodiversity enhancement.
Community engagement is central, with the establishment of nursery beds and agroforestry demonstration gardens to support sustainable land use and environmental education. Through innovative planting methods and inclusive participation from school children, farmers, women, and youth, the project aims to reforest over 2,700 acres across three districts: Kyenjojo, Ntoroko, and Kyegegwa, planting around 540,000 trees. Alongside boosting food production and local incomes, particularly through integrated farming and apiary development, the initiative will contribute directly to the achievement of multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those focused on climate action, education, poverty reduction, and health.
Samuel Masereka
is the Executive Director with over seven years of leadership experience in biodiversity conservation and sustainable livelihoods. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Work and Social Administration and a master’s degree in Project Planning and Management. He is passionate about driving community-led innovative solutions to address climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequality.
K'OMBIJA COMMUNITY BASED PROJECT 2025-2026 cohort
The K'ombija Community, founded by Bruno Omondi Otieno in Homa Bay County, Kenya, is a grassroots initiative dedicated to establishing sustainable food sources and providing critical support to vulnerable populations in the region. Our core mission centers on fostering self-sufficiency and providing direct relief to those most in need, while also deeply caring for the environment through organic farming practices.
At the heart of K'ombija's operations is the practice of permaculture, an ecological design system that mirrors natural ecosystems to create productive and sustainable agricultural systems. We are committed to organic farming, shunning harmful chemicals and embracing methods that enrich the soil and protect biodiversity. Our efforts extend to establishing food forests and fruit forests, creating resilient, low-maintenance systems that mimic natural woodlands and provide a continuous harvest of fruits and vegetables.
Our focus also includes seed collection and storage, ensuring the preservation of indigenous and resilient varieties suited to our subtropical climate. This thoughtful approach allows us to consistently provide food for the poor, the hungry, the elderly, and struggling families within our community, addressing immediate nutritional needs while safeguarding the environment for future generations.
A cornerstone of our mission is the operation of a small orphanage. This sanctuary provides a safe, loving home, consistent nourishment, and comprehensive care for orphaned, disabled, or otherwise unsupported children. These children are central to the K'ombija Community's vision, embodying our commitment to nurturing the most vulnerable members of society.
Bruno Omondi Otieno
is dedicated to permaculture and regenerative agriculture as tools to fight poverty and uplift vulnerable groups. He provides food to orphans, widows, the sick, and the poor, often at little or no cost. His mission is to promote sustainability, combat hunger, and build stronger, more resilient communities.
SEED - ling Woodlots for Resilience 2025-2026 cohort
The "SEEDling Woodlots for Resilience" project, being implemented by Sustainable Environmental Education and Development (SEED), aims to address critical shortages of firewood and construction poles in vulnerable communities within Chankoma Village, Traditional Authority M'bwatalika in Lilongwe district, Malawi. This self-funded project is initially targeting 300 households with environmental restoration awareness and seedling raising and planting around homesteads. A demonstration woodlot (with approximately 1000 fast growing eucalyptus trees) has been established. The project is targeting low income earning smallholder farmers who use firewood their entire life for cooking and the majority sleep grass thatched houses. The project will establish small individual woodlots and where possible communal/village forest areas using fast-growing, exotic and indigenous, climate-resilient tree species, while simultaneously educating communities on sustainable forestry practices, efficient wood energy technologies, and alternative livelihood strategies. By integrating environmental education with practical tree planting and management, the project will foster long-term community resilience against deforestation and its associated impacts.
The primary target of this project is 300 households across 7 selected villages inTraditional Authority M'bwatalika in Lilongwe district, Malawi. This will directly benefit approximately 1,200 individuals (assuming an average household size of 4 per household). This includes a particular focus on empowering women, girls and youth who are often most impacted by wood scarcity. Most of these community members have sold their land to new settlers and have limited land left. They are left with limited land.
Victor Chimombo
is a trained forester, natural resources manager, and environmental and climate change advisor with more than two decades of experience working with international and local organisations in Malawi on related thematic areas. He also serves as a mindset change trainer on livelihoods, as well as a grant writer and manager. He is currently developing SEED (Sustainable Environmental Education and Development).
The Mindset Village Walk 2025-2026 cohort
The Mindset Village Walk is a holistic, community-based initiative rooted in conservation, youth empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods. Founded and led by a local youth farmer and artisan, Byamukama Nyansio, the project operates in the southern sector of the Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, a globally significant biodiversity area and home to endangered mountain gorillas.
This multi-faceted initiative engages surrounding communities, particularly women and youth, in conservation-aligned activities.
Through Bwindi Eco Farm, Nyansio cultivates coffee and native tree species to support local reforestation and promotes agroecological practices. He also leads the development of the Batwa Village camping site, a sustainable tourism venture that helps connect visitors with the cultural and ecological richness of the region.
Key components of the Mindset Village Walk include women's economic empowerment: organising and training local women's groups in basket weaving, wood carving, tailoring, and shoe making to generate personal income while supporting conservation awareness.
Youth and orphan support:
Hosting weekend" Hope classes" for homeless and vulnerable children, offering basic education, school supplies, and food where possible.
Community conservation education.
Raising awareness of the importance of protecting the mountain gorillas and forest ecosystems and encouraging sustainable practices among community members.
Nyansio Byamukama
is the project leader of Mindset Village Walk, a holistic community-based initiative rooted in conservation, women’s and youth economic empowerment through skills such as tailoring, basketry, shoemaking, wood carving, and agriculture. The project also provides basic education, school supplies, and feeding programmes for vulnerable children. He comes from Kikomo Village, Nkuringo Town Council, in the southern sector of Bwindi Impenetrable National Park, Kisoro District, Uganda.
Zambor Inc - Clean Waters 2025-2026 cohort
Zambor Clean Water's "Save a Life" program is a faith-based initiative that provides sustainable solutions for access to clean water and environmental education for climate change and in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), primarily in the provinces of Bandundu and Goma. Since 2024, the organization has helped more than one million people by providing access to clean water, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) education, and sharing a message of hope. Through boreholes and community programs, Zambor Water helps create healthier, more sustainable societies
Jacquie Zamba
Green Globe Organisation 2025-2026 cohort
This innovative project is geared towards integrating agroforestry practices into the livelihoods of rural communities in Cameroon in general and Bamenda in particular, thereby enhancing climate resilience while promoting sustainable agriculture. Initiatives that prioritize the combination of trees with crops and livestock, seek to effortlessly restore degraded lands, improve biodiversity, and increase carbon sequestration.
The objectives of this project include but not limited to:
1. Enhance Climate Resilience. That is, the implementation agroforestry systems that withstand climate variability and improve soil health.
2. To empower local communities. Initiatives geared towards providing training and resources to farmers, particularly women and youth, to adopt sustainable practices increases resilience and empowers the community.
3. To boost Economic Opportunities. This initiative aims at creating income-generating activities through the sale of diverse agroforestry products.
The target beneficiaries of this project include; rural farmers, particularly women and youth, in vulnerable communities across Bamenda and other parts of Cameroon.
Expected Outcomes:
The expected outcomes of this project include:
• Increased agricultural productivity and food security.
• Improved livelihoods through diversified income sources.
• Strengthened community resilience to climate change impacts.
• Enhanced ecosystem services, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Bekumba Adolf Metta
is a visionary geographer and planner, wielding a master’s degree that fuels his passion for sustainable development. As a dedicated secondary school teacher, he inspires future generations. A focal point for the Green Globe Organisation and a proud member of the Africa Forest Communicators Network, Bekumba champions environmental advocacy, weaving together knowledge and action for a greener tomorrow.
Namsal Climate Concern International 2025-2026 cohort
Namsal Climate Concern International is a climate action grassroots organization in Uganda whose mission is to contribute to nature and the earth’s biodiversity through habitat enhancement, environmental conservation, and education for a protected environment.
We look at people not solely as potential victims of climate change, but also as potential leaders of climate action. Hence, all our actions on combating climate change are 100% dependent on people because we believe that our planet concerns us all and we are all required to save it from climate change.
We are engaged in a wide range of issues in environmental and nature conservation but work specifically with plastic waste, energy, and forest restoration. Our work is all about finding solutions for climate change through reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which must get to zero as soon as possible. Remember that it’s not too late to make this happen.
Objective:
1.To plant trees in 10 primary schools in Kasese District to promote environmental conservation and awareness among students and the local community.
2.To create a sustainable green environment in schools and surrounding areas by involving students in environmental care and protection.
3.To combat deforestation, soil erosion, and climate change impacts in the district.
Goals:
1. Environmental Education: Educate students on the importance of trees in preserving the environment.
2. Increased Green Coverage: Plant trees that will serve as shade, contribute to biodiversity, and improve air quality.
3. Climate Action: Contribute to mitigating the effects of climate change by planting native or climate-resilient tree species.
4. Community Engagement: Involve the local community, parents, and teachers in supporting and maintaining the planted trees.
Activities:
1. Site Selection:
Identify and assess 10 primary schools in Kasese District willing to participate.
Collaborate with school administrators and local authorities to secure the necessary permissions and locations for tree planting.
2. Tree Selection:
Choose tree species that are suitable for the local climate and environment. Examples could include fruit trees, indigenous species, or fast-growing trees like Acasia, Mango, or Neem.
Ensure the species selected are beneficial for local wildlife, soil conservation, and the school environment.
3. Partnerships & Sponsorships:
Collaborate with local environmental organizations, NGOs, and businesses for funding, tree seedlings, and materials.
Seek collaboration with local forestry departments, environmental agencies, or universities that could provide technical expertise.
4. Tree Planting Day:
Organize a tree planting event in each school with students, teachers, and local community members.
Plan for each school to plant a set number of trees (e.g., 50-100 trees per school, depending on the space available).
Ensure students are actively involved in planting and learning how to care for their trees.
5. Training and Workshops:
Conduct training sessions for students and teachers on tree planting, care, and environmental conservation.
Workshops could focus on topics like climate change, sustainability, and the role of trees in the ecosystem.
6. Maintenance:
Develop a maintenance plan that includes regular watering, pruning, and monitoring of tree growth.
7. Awareness Campaign:
Launch an awareness campaign using posters, school assemblies, and local media to inform the community about the importance of tree planting.
Organize competitions, such as essay writing or drawing contests, for students on environmental conservation.
Expected Outcomes:
1. Planting and nurturing of over 500-1000 trees across the 10 primary schools.
2. Increased awareness of environmental issues and climate change among students, teachers, and the community.
3. Creation of a more sustainable and green school environment.
4. Strengthened community involvement in environmental conservation.
Sadro Ngorokoro
is the CEO of Namsal Climate Concern International. He is a climate activist
and agent of change who believes in achieving as a team. With over five years of experience in
climate science, policy advocacy, and international development, Sadro leads the advancement
of programs aligned with the SDGs and the Paris Agreement, such as promoting climate finance
and community-driven solutions.
Initiative For Climate Change And Renewable Energy Advocacy 2025-2026 cohort
Initiative for Climate Change and Renewable Energy Advocacy (ICCREA) is a Nigerian non-governmental organization dedicated to promoting environmental sustainability, climate action, and renewable energy solutions. Through advocacy, education, and community engagement, ICCREA empowers youth and communities to adopt sustainable practices, mitigate climate change, and build resilient ecosystems. The organization works across multiple sectors, focusing on policy influence, grassroots projects, and collaboration with local and international partners to achieve measurable environmental impact.
Building on this mission, ICCREA has launched the “One Tree, One Corp Member Nurture for One Year Service” initiative in partnership with the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC). This project engages corps members in planting and nurturing trees across Nigerian communities throughout their service year, enhancing biodiversity, combating climate change, and fostering environmental stewardship among youth.
The initiative specifically aims to:
Plant and nurture one tree per corps member during their service year
Educate and engage 30,000 corps members on environmental conservation and climate change
Develop a sustainable tree nurturing model
Plant 24,000 trees in selected communities over one year
Educate at least 100,000 community members on environmental conservation
Through these efforts, the project promotes eco-friendly practices, youth empowerment, community engagement, and contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 13.
Folorunsho Dayo Oluwafemi
is the founder of Initiative for Climate Change Advocacy and Renewable Energy Advocacy, an NGO focused on climate change and renewable energy. A climate activist and MBA graduate from the University of the People, California, he is a certified procurement officer by Nigeria’s Bureau of Public Procurement, a recognized member of the Global Sustainable Future Network, and an award winner within the Network. He serves in multiple roles, including YOUNGO Adaptation Team committee member, Nigeria Country Coordinator for Youth-Net Global, UNEP Children & Youth Major Group committee member, and SDGs session chair.
Yenwaa Collectives 2025-2026 cohort
Yenwaa (our trees) for resilient community livelihoods and landscapes.
As a community-based organization, we focus on creating resilient livelihoods through programs that empower, educate, and uplift.
we work to regenerate the landscape, empower people, and create a thriving, resilient community.
Our organizations focus on four main pillars:
1. Farmer Training & Capacity Building
Permaculture Design Workshops – Training on soil health, water conservation, agroforestry, and regenerative farming techniques.
Demonstration Farms & Learning Hubs – Establish hands-on learning sites where farmers can practice permaculture techniques.
Composting & Soil Fertility Workshops – Teaching composting, biochar production, and natural fertilizers to enrich soils.
2. Youth & Community Engagement
School & Youth Programs – Partnering with schools to introduce permaculture concepts and encourage eco-literacy.
Community Tree Planting Days – Engaging local groups in afforestation and reforestation efforts.
Food Forest & Urban Gardening Initiatives – Encouraging households to grow their own food using permaculture principles.
3. Climate & Biodiversity Awareness Campaigns
Local Radio & Social Media Awareness – Sharing climate-smart agriculture practices and success stories.
Farmer-to-Farmer Knowledge Sharing – Creating mentorship programs where experienced farmers train new participants.
Sustainable Water Management Education – Teaching techniques like rainwater harvesting, swales, and keyline design.
4. Monitoring & Research-Based Learning
Citizen Science & Biodiversity Tracking – Community-led biodiversity monitoring to track the impact of restoration efforts.
Carbon Sequestration & Climate Resilience Studies – Educating farmers on the role of healthy soils in mitigating climate change.
Regenerative Business & Market Linkages – Training on farm-to-market value chains, agroecology business models, and cooperative farming.
Ola Tom Lakere
is a free-spirited landscape gardener and the Co-Founder and Project Coordinator of Project Yenwaa. Guided by a passion for designing regenerative systems, he has travelled across diverse landscapes and cultures, drawing inspiration from a nomadic lifestyle. His work seeks to harmonise human habitation with the natural environment, cultivating ecosystems that benefit both people and the planet. Rooted in a land- and stewardship-centred philosophy, he embraces the challenge of transforming landscapes.
Tree Nursery Project 2024-2025 cohort
I wish to establish a tree nursery project in my community in Mutare which will cater to all areas affected by deforestation which is on the rise.
Funds will be used in conducting awareness campaigns and outreach in schools, construction of a tree nursery as well as paying some of the members to work on the nursery.
I'm looking forward to stretching my Project with campaigns and awareness throughout the eastern highlands of Zimbabwe which is recognized internationally as one of the Key Biodiversity area.
Peter Magosvongwe
has worked as a community youth engagement officer and as an environmental and wildlife conservation education officer. Peteris is currently the project leader of a newly established tree nursery in Mutare, in the Burmavalley area of Zimbabwe, where the project is under construction.
Following attendance and completion of Jill Wagner's course, this project is now developing its nursery.
TOGETHER 4 TREES 2025-2026 cohort
Together4trees Kenya School's tree planting initiatives involve students, teachers, and community members working together to plant trees on school grounds and surrounding areas. These programs aim to educate students about the importance of trees and environmental conservation, while also contributing to a greener and healthier school environment.
Justus Wanjohi
is a passionate climate activist and the founder of Together4trees Kenya, leading reforestation, biodiversity conservation, and community empowerment projects across Kenya. With over a decade in environmental restoration and grassroots advocacy, Justus specialises in project design, execution, and M&E, advancing sustainable ecosystems, climate change mitigation, and eco-friendly livelihoods through large-scale tree planting and public engagement initiatives.
Children's Education in Biodiversity Conservation 2025-2026 cohort
The Children Education in Biodiversity Conservation (CEBC) was founded in 2024 with
a simple but powerful vision: to help children grow up as protectors of nature. Based in
Mozambique, CEBC works hand-in-hand with schools, families, and communities to bring
environmental education to life in ways that are fun, practical, and deeply meaningful.
Children are taken beyond the classroom to explore forests, rivers, and conservation areas,
where they discover the beauty and importance of biodiversity. Through art, storytelling, and
games, they learn to see themselves as part of nature, not apart from it. Activities such as
planting trees, recycling, and managing waste give children the chance to act on what they
learn, while creating lasting benefits for their schools and neighbourhoods.
At the heart of CEBC is the belief that when children are inspired early, they carry those
lessons for life. By connecting curiosity with action, and learning with play, CEBC nurtures a
new generation that values sustainability and shares that knowledge within their families and communities.
More than just an education program, CEBC is a movement to raise young “guardians of
nature” children who will grow up to protect their environment, lead their communities,
and safeguard the planet for future generations.
Junior Mufudzi
is a Forest Engineer with a strong commitment to conservation, sustainable resource management, and community engagement. He gained significant experience in conservation protocols and fieldwork, particularly with communities in the Buffer Zone of Gorongosa National Park. He later served as an assistant lecturer at the Instituto Superior Politécnico de Manica, supporting Entomology and Dendrology modules, which enhanced his teaching and teamwork skills. Identifying as both a conservationist and an environmentalist, he focuses on inspiring youth, fostering environmental leadership, and advancing global climate action through education and technical expertise.
Following attendance and completion of Jill Wagner's course, this project is now developing its nursery.
REGREENING MY VILLAGE 2024-2025 cohort
