AIM4Forests Young Forest Champion workshop mobilizes Zambia’s future forest leaders

15/07/2025

 

From 9–11 July 2025, ten dynamic young Zambians gathered in Lusaka for the AIM4Forests Young Forest Champion Workshop, a three-day training designed to build participant’s leadership and technical skills in forest monitoring and climate action. Organized by FAO, in partnership with the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts and the Forestry Department under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment, the workshop is part of the Young Forest Champions Initiative supported by the UK government through the AIM4Forests programme.

 

The event followed a global call that received over 1,500 applications, with 385 from Zambia alone highlighting the country’s growing interest in youth engagement in forest restoration and conservation. Opening the workshop, Ms. Mable Nedziwe, Director of Youth at the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts emphasized the role of youth as key stakeholders in forest conservation, restoration and environmental decision-making.

“We are proud to recognize youth not just as beneficiaries, but as active agents in environmental stewardship. Empowering young people is essential for the longevity and impact of our efforts. The 2024 National Youth Policy identifies youth as active agents of change, and through this initiative, we are fostering a future where the conservation and sustainable use of forest resources are prioritized across generations,” said Ms. Nedziwe.

Youth pathways in forestry

 

In an engaging panel discussion, representatives from FAO Zambia, the Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts, and the Zambia National Forest Commodities Association (ZNFA) encouraged the Young Forest Champions to actively engage in Zambia's forest management – from forest monitoring, conservation. Notably, Zambia’s 2024 National Youth Policy, supported by strong institutional frameworks, offers real pathways for youth to lead in environmental protection and forest management.

Mr. Katongo Nsofwa, Senior Forestry Officer at the Forestry Department, shared an overview of Zambia’s forest landscape and called on the champions to see forests as opportunities for innovation, income, and leadership.

“When you stand next to a tree, see the opportunities it holds, from carbon trading and plantation management to tree seedling production. With 66% of Zambia covered by forests and 470 forest reserves, the potential for youth is vast. But we’re also losing up to 100,000 hectares annually to deforestation. The new Forest Policy 2025 creates space for youth to lead in reversing this trend.”  — Mr. Katongo Nsofwa, Forestry Department

Mentoring the next generation of forest leaders

 

 As part of the workshop’s focus on long-term leadership, a mentorship session brought together experts who offered career insights and practical guidance to the young champions. Mr. Mukaba Mukaba, the FAO Zambia communications officer delivered a focused training course on effective communication and advocacy, equipping participants with tools to amplify their voices and engage more confidently on forest and climate issues.

Reflecting on the session, champion Chimuka Chuulu shared a key takeaway: “Don’t accept a no when you know you deserve a yes. That line from one of our mentors at the Young Forest Champion Workshop in Lusaka is still ringing in my head.” Her reflection captured the spirit of encouragement that ran throughout the workshop.

Earlier, the young forest champions showcased innovative grassroots initiatives turning the tide on deforestation, land degradation, and limited environmental awareness. Their projects spanned geospatial mapping, formation of rural school environmental clubs, agroforestry, women-led indigenous tree seedling cooperatives, and livelihoods support. Some focused-on documenting indigenous knowledge and environmental human rights violations, while others explored carbon finance, alternative energy solutions, and community-driven forest restoration.

Stephen Munyandi, a Zambian Champion from North-Western Province, serving as a community forestry technician in Mwinilunga District, emphasized the challenges of managing fires with limited resources, “We’re training fire management committees with 63 members, but without proper personal protective gear and tools, we’re doing this work manually with the community. Most fires are set to catch rats or clear land for farming,”

Following the presentations, Ms. Eva Ntara, facilitator of the Young Forest Champions Initiative introduced the Open Foris Ground solution, a mobile application for forest data collection developed by FAO. Ground is an android-based application that allows users to collect, manage, and visualize forest and land use data. It supports real-time mapping through GPS and Google Maps, enabling users to link field observations with geospatial information for improved monitoring and decision-making.

Field visit to a tree nursery and Forest 27 site

As part of the workshop’s practical sessions, the young forest champions visited a 1.5-acre tree nursery managed by the Forestry Department and led by Senior Forestry Technician Ms. Ireen Kayabala. Established in 1969, the nursery serves as a hub for seedling production and training. Ms. Kayabala and her team walked the group through essential steps in nursery establishment, starting with site selection, mixing loamy soil with compost, and treating seeds to break dormancy before potting. The visit offered hands-on insight into nursery management and the role of quality seedlings in successful forest restoration.

At the nursery, the champions used Open Foris Ground to collect sample data on tree species, applying what they had learned in the workshop to a real-world setting. The exercise helped bridge the gap between digital tools and practical forestry work, equipping the young champions with vital skills for monitoring, reporting, and managing restoration activities in their own communities.

After the nursery visit, the champions proceeded to a nearby forest reserve. Originally established in 1957, the reserve, known as "Forest 27," is one of Zambia’s most well-known but controversial forest reserves. Between 2017 and 2019, portions of the land were subdivided and allocated to individuals, reducing the forest from 1,800 acres to just 716 acres today.

Forest 27 is a crucial groundwater recharge zone for Lusaka, feeding the Chalimbana River, which supplies water to Chongwe District. Though governed by the Forests Act No. 4 of 2015, Forest 27 faces ongoing issues of land subdivision and water scarcity. In response, the Forestry Department plans to fence and manage the reserve to protect its aquifers and restore the Chalimbana River.

Next steps

The workshop concluded with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment to youth-led forest restoration, leaving the champions inspired and equipped to drive change in their communities. Mentorship sessions will continue beyond the workshop, providing ongoing guidance and support as the champions implement their projects and grow as community leaders in forestry and climate action.

“You are not just participants in the AIM4Forests programme, you are trailblazers and role models. You carry the hopes of your communities and of Zambia as a whole to see our forests restored, protected, and thriving. Equip yourselves with the digital tools, the technical skills, and the leadership competencies being offered. We are counting on you to ignite local action to plant trees, restore degraded lands, educate your peers, and inspire others.” — Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Youth, Sport and Arts

Useful links

• AIM4Forests Young Forest Champions Initiative   
• News Article
• Youth Policy Zambia 2024
• Open Foris Ground