Green Growth Africa Sustainability Network (Green Growth Africa), headquartered in Ibadan, Nigeria, is a leading UNEP-accredited NGO committed to the innovation, development, and implementation of ‘greened’ socio-economic development solutions to address Africa’s development challenges. Green Growth Africa’s vision is rooted in the realization of a socially inclusive economic growth and development path in Africa that is low-carbon, climate-resilient, and resource-efficient; maintaining and enhancing biodiversity and ecosystems. Green Growth Africa has a footprint of its impact in twenty-two (22) African countries.
They are committed to innovation, development, and implementation of ‘greened’ socio-economic development solutions to address Africa’s development challenges. Green Growth Africa operates an interdisciplinary network of experienced professionals, researchers, and students across the globe who are committed to the realization of a socially inclusive economic growth and development path that is low-carbon, climate-resilient, and resource-efficient; maintains and enhances biodiversity and ecosystems.
GreenGrowthAfrica is implementing the ‘EcoHeroes Initiative’ to empower African youths with action competencies through the acquisition and application of their classroom knowledge and skills gained in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics (STEM), and Arts to address environmental and social challenges within their local communities. The EcoHeroes Initiative focuses on raising a new generation of 21st-century green workforce who are skilled at developing solutions to 21st-century challenges.
The 2023/2024 EcoHeroes Initiatives invites applications from students in Secondary Schools across Africa to identify environmental problems in their communities and develop solutions focused on Sustainable Development in these three thematic pillars, namely; Sustainable Energy; Sustainable Transportation; and Climate Change.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. Student teams must be from Secondary schools in any of the African countries, previous teams of past EcoHeroes Initiative cohorts and EcoHeroes Clubs are welcome to apply.
2. Each secondary school will be represented by a team of at least Ten (10) students and a coordinating teacher. 50% of the students in the team should be girls (this would be waived for same-sex (boys-only/girls-only) schools. However, more students and teachers are allowed depending on the nature of their project.
3. Each team is expected to identify any environmental challenges/ needs in their local communities, and brainstorm and ideate solution(s) to address this need/challenge.
4. Only innovative and inspiring project ideas that are in line with the three thematic areas of Sustainable Energy, Sustainable Transportation, and Climate Change will be considered. Project ideas must also express and give room for creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication, and green skills
5. The period of project completion must be within 3 to 4 months.
Please take note
1. Upon selection and completion of the projects with the support of an Expert Advisor, each student team will be required to share the outcome of their project through a local outreach which could be to other students in their schools, and people in their local communities among others. #GreenGrowthAfrica will also organize intercontinental knowledge-sharing webinars where the students will share the outcomes of their projects, skills acquired, and lessons learned.
2. Upon the completion of the projects and mentorship, each student team will be constituted into a school-based environmental club “EcoHeroes club” which could admit more students to sustain the project and continue to engage in education for sustainability in the long term. The schools will be required to operate and sustain the clubs. While #GreenGrowthAfrica will not be responsible for the operation and financing of the clubs, Green Growth Africa will provide technical support, and monthly/quarterly meetings, as well as share possible opportunities with the clubs.
3. A work plan of activities for the operation of the EcoHeroes club, after the completion of the project funded by the EcoHeroes Initiative 2023/2024 will be submitted by each school. The plan should cover at least three months of club activities. These activities should be zero to near zero cost initiatives such as quizzes, debates, community outreaches, school sanitation, tree planting activities, and recycling engagements, amongst others. Please note that there is no format for the work plan of activities, however, it should be clear, and concise. The work plan also should highlight how the club will be operated after the completion of the projects within the EcoHeroes 2023/2024.
Benefits:
Each selected team will receive;
1. Mentorship support from international and local experts as technical advisors to refine and help with the implementation of the project through quality mentorship and advisory.
Capacity development through critical thinking, hands-on project implementation, online webinar presentation, and training.
2. Training of coordinating teachers on Education for Sustainable Development.
3. Funding of up to 400 USD for the implementation of each project idea for new schools while schools that have previously benefited from EcoHeroes Initiative formerly known as the Environmental Education Programme(EEP) will be funded up to 200 USD.
4. Certificate of participation for students’ team.
5. Certificate of recognition for coordinating teachers and letter of recommendation for exceptional teachers.
6. Opportunity to share project outcomes with other secondary school students across the globe.
7. Leverage on the global visibility and publicity of #GreenGrowthAfrica and its partners.
8. At the completion of the projects, additional monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three “EcoHeroes” Clubs with the most innovative and impactful projects to support the operation of their club after the completion of their projects sponsored within the EcoHeroes Initiative.
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