Overview of the project

In transforming environmental threats of climate change into opportunities for national development, one of Nigeria’s biggest challenges is harnessing its public service and its teeming youth population as part of the solution. Despite being responsible for implementation of government policies on climate change and the environment at large, many public servants lack the skills, up-to-date information about best-fit mitigation or adaptation measures, tools or technique. For example, today, only two-in-ten “environmental” public servants have access to relevant training/tools; this hinders effective implementation and translation of environmental policies into concrete, tangible, sustainable outcomes. On the hand, more than 50% of youths in Nigeria are either unemployed or underemployed. Yet, climate change poses significant threats to existing jobs, way of life and livelihoods, particularly in rural areas. Majority of Nigerian youths also lack the skills to transform the threats that climate change pose into opportunities. Research has shown that there is a direct link between access to quality training and resources, and environmental awareness, responsibility and sustainability. To bridge specific capacity gaps and provide robust, accessible platforms for idea-exchange, innovative design thinking and mentoring of young public servants, entrepreneurs and professionals in Nigeria’s environment space, and enable, sound science-policy interface, policy setting, formulation and implementation, we launched Project YEEP. Project YEEP is a consolidated 5-year public enlightenment and capacity building campaign dedicated to public servants and young people and that drives sustainability by using online mediums and SMS to connect disadvantaged environmental professionals in Nigeria to key policy materials, hands-on training, skills, resources and opportunities to meet the challenges of climate change. We also provide customized, hands-on training on waste management, waste-to-energy, digital skills, food waste prevention, food security, environmental entrepreneurship and public leadership.