Youth Glow

Youth Glow The empowerment of Women and Youth at all level is what we are passionate about. Join us!

Youth Glow is a Not-for-Profit, Non-Governmental Organization founded in July 2019. The organization provides Education and Training, Agriculture, Sports and Cultural Exchange, and Advocacy to people in vulnerable communities with a focus on women and girls in order to improve their participation in the Civil, Economic and Social spheres.

🌿 Equipping the Frontlines of Conservation in Zortapa! 🛠️Transitioning from traditional slash-and-burn farming to sustai...
26/05/2026

🌿 Equipping the Frontlines of Conservation in Zortapa! 🛠️

Transitioning from traditional slash-and-burn farming to sustainable, climate-smart agriculture requires more than just training—it requires the right equipment.

To ensure our communities have exactly what they need to manage the land sustainably and protect the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR), Youth Glow just completed a massive handover of essential agricultural tools to our 50 project participants in Zortapa!

📍 Field Update: Agricultural Tool Distribution

As part of the Sustainable Land Conservation Project (SLCP)—funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme through UNDP Liberia—we are making sure our farmers are fully equipped, safe, and ready to work.

The community proudly received:
🚜 Heavy-duty wheelbarrows for moving compost, seedlings, and soil.

🗡️ Dozens of brand-new cutlasses (machetes) for efficient and controlled site clearing.

🥾 Protective rain boots and gear to keep our farmers safe in the field.

⛺ Heavy-duty tarps for crop protection and temporary site shelters.

With these tools in hand, our two dedicated groups are now fully mobilized to prepare and manage their 8.1-acre agroforestry demonstration plots. Seeing the energy and readiness of the community as they held up their new equipment is a powerful reminder: when you give people the right tools, they will build a sustainable future. 🌍💪
Next up: Plot layout and planting! 🌱

🌿 Conservation meets Financial Empowerment in Zortarpa! 💚​To truly protect the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR), we must...
26/05/2026

🌿 Conservation meets Financial Empowerment in Zortarpa! 💚

​To truly protect the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR), we must equip its surrounding communities with the tools for economic independence. That is exactly what we are doing under the Sustainable Land Conservation Project (SLCP)—proudly funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme through UNDP Liberia!

​📍 Field Update: Zortarpa Community
We just officially handed over complete Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) Startup Kits to our 50 dedicated project participants in Zortarpa!

​Organized into 2 groups of 25, these community members are now building their own localized financial safety nets. To ensure complete transparency and security, the provided kits included:
🔐 Heavy-duty cash boxes (each requiring 3 padlocks and 3 key-holders!)
📖 50 individual member passbooks & master group ledgers
🧮 Calculators, stamps, money bowls, and meeting supplies

​To top it off, we proudly distributed 50 branded project t-shirts! Seeing both groups proudly wearing their gear brought an incredible sense of unity and purpose as they champion climate-smart
agriculture over forest exploitation.

​When communities can save, invest, and grow together, the forest thrives. 🌳✨
​

26/05/2026

🐝 Protecting Liberia’s Forests, Empowering Our People! 🌿

The East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR) is a critical biodiversity hotspot, but the forest itself faces immense pressure from slash-and-burn farming and informal foraging. We are working to change that narrative!

Through the Sustainable Land Conservation Project (SLCP)—proudly funded by the GEF Small Grants Programme through UNDP Liberia—Youth Glow is helping communities in Zortapa and Yekepa, Camp 4 transition from resource dependency to active, economically secure forest stewards. 🌍🤝
📍 Field Update: Yekepa, Camp 4 Apiary
We are shifting the community from destructive, opportunistic honey hunting to sustainable, commercial apiculture! Here is what’s happening on the ground:
🏗️ Construction: We are erecting a 540-sq-ft permanent apiary structure using sustainably sourced lumber.

📚 Capacity Building: 50 locals are completing intensive, hands-on training in modern hive management, swarm catching, and safe harvesting.

🦺 Professionalizing: Participants are now equipped with full protective suits and project-branded gear.

💰 Financial Growth: All future honey revenue is being integrated into our Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) networks to build long-term economic resilience.

The structural foundation is set, and the community's commitment to protecting the ENNR is incredible. Stay tuned as we finish the roof and prepare for our first managed hive installations! 🍯✨

Strengthening Community Resilience through the Sustainable Land Conservation Project (SLCP)Youth Glow, in partnership wi...
18/05/2026

Strengthening Community Resilience through the Sustainable Land Conservation Project (SLCP)

Youth Glow, in partnership with the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) Liberia, is pleased to announce the successful advancement of our Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) initiative within the ENNR landscape.

The Strategy
Economic empowerment is a fundamental pillar of the SLCP. By establishing robust financial inclusion models, we are equipping local farmers with the capital and literacy needed to transition into climate-smart enterprises, reducing the community’s dependency on environmentally sensitive forest resources.

Key Milestones
Camp 4 Achievement: 50 farmers have finalized intensive training in VSLA operations. Starter kits have been officially turned over, and these groups are now fully operational.

Zortarpa Expansion:
Mobilization is complete for an additional 50 participants. Training and kit distribution are scheduled to follow, ensuring a total reach of 100 beneficiaries (70% youth and 30% women).

Through the VSLA model, the SLCP is fostering a self-sustaining economic cycle that allows communities to reinvest in sustainable agroforestry and commercial beekeeping.

We are proud to see these communities lead the way in proving that financial independence is the greatest catalyst for environmental stewardship.

18/05/2026

Strategic Progress:

Establishing Liberia’s Premier Center for Modern Apiculture
Youth Glow, in partnership with the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme (SGP) Liberia, is proud to announce significant milestones in the implementation of the Sustainable Land Conservation Project (SLCP). This initiative is designed to harmonize environmental conservation with sustainable economic growth in the landscape surrounding the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR).

The Vision
Funded by the UNDP GEF Small Grants Programme, the SLCP empowers local youth and women through climate-smart agriculture and professionalized livelihoods. By providing viable alternatives to traditional land-use, we are protecting Liberia’s biodiversity while building community resilience.

Spotlight:

The Camp 4 Model Apiary
A central pillar of the SLCP is the transformation of Camp 4 into a regional center of excellence for modern beekeeping, serving farmers across 36 communities adjacent to the ENNR.
Technical Infrastructure: Construction is underway on a specialized 100-hive capacity "Bee House." Built to rigorous engineering standards, the facility features treated timber framing and advanced protective enclosures for high-yield, commercial honey production.

Ecosystem Integration:

To ensure long-term colony health, we have successfully transplanted 24 Tangerine and 19 Passion Fruit seedlings. These provide essential year-round forage, nectar, and pollen for the apiary.
Financial Foundations: Sustainability is reinforced through our Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) program. 50 farmers in Camp 4 have already completed training and received starter kits to manage beekeeping as a profitable, professional enterprise.

Through the Sustainable Land Conservation Project, we are proving that conservation and commerce can thrive together. We look forward to launching our inaugural technical training cohort as we set a new standard for sustainable development in Liberia.

02/05/2026

Listening to our Beneficiaries 👂🌱

On April 28, 2026 in Zortarpa, we didn't just look at the soil; we listened to the soul of the community. One beneficiary told us: "We are happy to be part of this project, but we don't want you to fool us..."

We hear you. That is why our model focuses on the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) and site-specific training. Our mission is to empower you with the tools to manage your own resources. When the community leads, the project succeeds.

We are in this together for the long haul. 🇱🇷
1o6

29/04/2026

Progress in Zortarpa! 🌍🌱

Today, the Youth Glow Liberia team conducted a successful baseline survey and site verification in Zortarpa. We met with the town leadership to inspect the land dedicated to our upcoming Agroecological activities.

This step is crucial for ensuring the sustainability of our project and aligning our goals with the community's needs. We are excited to begin transforming this site into a hub for sustainable farming and economic growth!

​

Expanding the Frontier: Zortarpa Leadership Proposes Massive Community Forest Reserve Near the ENNR​In a significant mov...
24/04/2026

Expanding the Frontier: Zortarpa Leadership Proposes Massive Community Forest Reserve Near the ENNR

​In a significant move toward large-scale community stewardship, the Zortarpa town leadership, represented by Mr. Barry Gono, has formally expressed interest in legally reserving a vast tract of community land for conservation. While the initial estimate stands at 500+ hectares, leadership noted during the launch that the actual forest area could be significantly larger once officially measured.

​Mr. Gono clarified that while this land is situated in close proximity to the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR), it remains distinct community land, independent of the formal reserve boundaries. By seeking to protect this area, the leadership is aiming to create a vital ecological corridor and a sustainable resource for future generations. Mr. Gono specifically called upon the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and international partners to provide the technical and legal framework necessary to aid in the formal measurement and reservation process.
​The FDA Region IV office and the ENNR Co-Management Committee welcomed the proposal, recognizing that such grassroots initiatives are essential for landscape-level conservation. The prospect of a community-managed forest of this scale would significantly enhance the protection of Nimba’s biodiversity while ensuring the community retains sovereign rights over their natural heritage.

​Youth Glow is committed to supporting this ambitious transition. By facilitating the technical dialogue between the Zortarpa leadership and the FDA, we aim to ensure this proposal moves from a vision to a legally protected reality. This initiative proves that community-led conservation is the most powerful tool for protecting Liberia's forests and securing a green legacy for our youth.

​

24/04/2026

Strategic Oversight: FDA Region IV Mandates Transparency and Accountability at ENNR Project Launch

​In a powerful endorsement of local conservation efforts, the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) Regional Office (Region IV) represented by Roger Akin Tahn took a leading role in today’s official launch of the Sustainable Land Conservation Project in Zortarpa and Yekepa Camp #4. The FDA’s presence underscored the project's critical importance in protecting the East Nimba Nature Reserve (ENNR) and signaled a high-level commitment to national conservation standards.

During the proceedings, the FDA Regional representative proxy issued a clear and decisive mandate for the success of the intervention, stating: "We pledge our full support to this project and we encourage the community and Youth Glow to be accountable and transparent all through the intervention to ensure maximum project impact across these communities." This call for integrity serves as the guiding principle for the partnership between Youth Glow and the national forestry sector.

​Beyond the formal endorsement, the FDA participated in an interactive knowledge-sharing session. In the accompanying video, the Regional Office shares vital lessons and experiences regarding the management of the ENNR, emphasizing the need for community-led vigilance and the legal frameworks that govern sustainable land use in the buffer zones. Their insights provided the beneficiaries with a deeper understanding of why Agroecology and Apiculture are being prioritized as the primary tools for forest preservation.

​By aligning with the FDA’s mandate for transparency, Youth Glow is ensuring that every component of the project—from the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA) to the 5-hectare farm demarcations—operates with the highest level of institutional oversight. This collaboration ensures that the project remains not only a win for community livelihoods but a long-term victory for Liberia’s biodiversity.

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We are proud to announce our partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Liberia and the Global Env...
12/02/2026

We are proud to announce our partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Liberia and the Global Environment Facility – Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP) to implement a six-month conservation and sustainable livelihoods initiative in two communities within the East Nimba Nature Reserve landscape.

Today marked an important first step as the Youth Glow team conducted stakeholder courtesy meetings in Zortarpa and Yekepa Camp #4. These engagements focused on formally introducing the project, listening to community perspectives, and strengthening collaboration with local leaders, women, and youth representatives.

The initiative will support communities to adopt environmentally responsible farming practices, explore alternative livelihoods such as beekeeping, strengthen financial resilience, and deepen awareness of conservation regulations — all while promoting inclusive participation and local ownership.

We are encouraged by the warm reception, constructive dialogue, and strong commitment demonstrated by community stakeholders. Their partnership is central to ensuring the project delivers lasting environmental protection alongside tangible livelihood benefits.

We look forward to working closely with residents, traditional leaders, and local partners over the coming months to advance conservation outcomes and strengthen resilience for people living within the ENNR landscape.

Address

Ganta
3510

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 17:00
Tuesday 09:00 - 17:00
Wednesday 09:00 - 17:00
Thursday 09:00 - 17:00
Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Saturday 09:00 - 17:00

Telephone

+231888947640

Website

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