Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management

15/12/2025

YEEM Completes URI Learning in Action Series on Peacebuilding through Earth Restoration!

We are pleased to share that YEEM team has successfully completed the 5-month “Peacebuilding through Earth Restoration” Learning in Action Series, organised under the United Religions Initiative (URI).

This enriching learning journey brought together diverse communities committed to advancing peace through environmental restoration. Through interactive Zoom sessions, monthly assignments, video lessons, and team planning, participants strengthened their capacity to design and implement community-based projects that link environmental stewardship with peacebuilding.

We are proud to announce that YEEM has been awarded a Certificate of Attendance as an organisation, recognising our active participation and engagement throughout the programme.
The YEEM members who participated in this opportunity are:
• Chrispine Paul , Chiyembekezo Wilson, Maweja, Chindiwo and Chilongo.

The programme concluded with inspiring project presentations that reflected collective learning, collaboration, and a shared commitment to healing communities through Earth restoration.

At YEEM, we believe that environmental action and peacebuilding are deeply interconnected. This experience has further strengthened our resolve to apply these learnings within our communities and to continue contributing to positive, locally led change.

We extend our sincere appreciation to United Religions Initiative, the facilitators, and the entire learning community for creating a space for growth, reflection, and collaboration.

🌍🌱 Onward with peace, restoration, and community-led action.

14/12/2025

YEEM Engagement at GMGSF-21, YEA 2025, and UNEA-7-Key Reflections & Outcomes

Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management (YEEM) participated in key global environmental governance processes in Nairobi in the lead-up to and throughout the 7th United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7), which concluded last week.
As part of these engagements, YEEM took part in the 21st Global Major Groups and Stakeholders Forum (GMGSF-21) held on 20–21 December, where civil society actors coordinated positions ahead of UNEA negotiations. Discussions focused on resolution clusters, civic space and public participation, science–policy interfaces, and emerging environmental governance priorities. YEEM also joined the Youth Environment Assembly (YEA-2025) closing ceremony, where the Global Youth Declaration was formally presented to the President of UNEA by the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG), reinforcing youth priorities ahead of final negotiations.
During UNEA-7, YEEM followed negotiations under the Committee of the Whole (COW), with particular engagement in Cluster B, focusing on:
• Safe, Responsible and Sustainable Artificial Intelligence for People and Planet
• Enhancing the meaningful participation of children and youth in environmental and climate action
YEEM’s engagement was represented in person by Grace Chilongo, contributing to these priority areas and amplifying youth perspectives from Malawi and the region.
Key outcome from UNEA-7:
We welcome the adoption of the resolution “Enhancing the meaningful participation of youth in environmental processes and in environmental education.”
The resolution:
1) Acknowledges the role of the CYMG in elevating youth perspectives across UNEP processes.
2) Recognises the YEA as the principal youth platform under UNEA
YEEM appreciates the leadership of Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 in advancing this resolution and the collective commitment of Member States to strengthening youth participation in environmental governance.
As UNEA-7 concludes, YEEM remains committed to advancing youth-led, inclusive, and meaningful participation in global environmental decision-making.
Full resolution text: https://lnkd.in/guzu37Xx

06/12/2025

YEEM at OECPR-7 | Nairobi (1–5 December 2025)

Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management (YEEM) is actively participating in the 7th Open-ended Committee of Permanent Representatives (OECPR-7) in Nairobi, a critical preparatory process for the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).

OECPR is where Member States negotiate and refine draft resolutions that will shape global environmental decisions at UNEA. For youth and civil society, this process offers key entry points to follow negotiations, engage Member States, and advocate for strong, inclusive outcomes.

During OECPR-7, YEEM followed key negotiations, with a particular focus on Cluster B discussions, including:
• Enhancing international responses to environmental crimes
• Strengthening the meaningful participation of children and youth in environmental governance
• Maximizing coherence and synergies in Multilateral Environmental Agreements (MEAs)
• Promoting sustainable solutions through sport
• Advancing the environmental sustainability of AI systems

YEEM engaged through Major Groups and Stakeholders fora, contributing youth perspectives and advocating for stronger recognition, resourcing, and institutional support for youth participation in environmental governance frameworks.

We remain committed to ensuring that Malawi’s environmental priorities and youth voices are reflected in global environmental decision-making.

01/12/2025

Youth Environment Assembly 2025- Day Two Highlights

YEEM continues its engagement at the world’s largest youth-led environmental governance gathering. Day Two of the Youth Environment Assembly (YEA) deepened critical conversations on restoration, education, skills development, spiritual values, and youth leadership in global environmental action.

Generation Restoration-Youth-Led Ecosystem Repair: This session strengthened youth capacity to lead restoration efforts aligned with the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration.

Key themes included:
• The role of the Advisory Board and Partnership Network
• Task Forces on Best Practices and Financing
• The Youth Task Force focusing on expanding youth leadership in restoration

A call for applications was shared, opening pathways for young people to contribute directly to the Decade’s work. Follow this link for the grant call: https://www.decadeonrestoration.org/events/un-decade-youth-task-force-microgrant-call-applications

Aligning Education & Labour Markets with Green Transition Needs: A compelling discussion on how education and skills systems must evolve for a green future.
Key insights included:
• Policy alignment: Understanding labour market needs and green job pathways
• Curriculum shifts: Integrating both digital and green competencies
• Stronger TEVET institutions: Equipping trainers and institutions for green transition skills
• Private sector partnerships: Ensuring real-world readiness
• Inclusion: Policies that protect workers during job transitions
• Recognition systems: Certification for green skills and sustainable enterprises

Speakers shared practical examples, such as:
• Green governance, infrastructure, and innovation from university models
• A reminder that green jobs require green education grounded in environmental justice values.

Global Waste Management Outlook 2024 for Youth-Official Launch:
UNEP, ISWA, and CYMG launched the youth edition of the Global Waste Management Outlook 2024, calling for a generation that moves beyond the age of waste.

Youth for Values and the Planet: A powerful conversation on the role of spirituality, indigenous knowledge, and community values in advancing ambitious environmental action. The session highlighted how wisdom traditions can strengthen modern climate and ecological solutions.
Key themes included:
• Renewable energy for sacred and community spaces
• Restoring biodiversity and ecosystems through culturally rooted approaches
• Building resilient, life-giving communities grounded in harmony with nature

Youth Actions Moving Forward
Young people were encouraged to take practical, values-driven actions within their communities, including:
• Promoting community clean energy solutions, such as solar hubs for schools, places of worship, or local centers
• Reviving indigenous farming and conservation practices, including seed-saving, agroecology, and sacred grove protection
• Leading small-scale restoration projects, such as tree planting, wetland protection, and river stewardship
• Creating community education spaces that blend scientific knowledge with cultural teachings
• Mobilizing faith and cultural groups to champion environmental action from a values-based perspective
These actions demonstrate that youth leadership is strongest when it is rooted in identity, tradition, and the shared values that bind communities together.

YouthToBeatPollution-Rights-Based Approaches: Youth shared advocacy across chemicals, waste, and pollution frameworks.
Key reflections:
• Tackling pollution requires equity and justice, not siloed action
• Youth must be engaged in beating plastic pollution at all levels
• Institutions should collaborate across sectors
• Skills come not only from academics but also from lived experience and community action

Stay connected for more updates.

Application link below!The UN Decade Youth Task Force is pleased to announce the 2026 Call for Micro-Grant applications towards ecosystem restoration efforts. This call is a strategic partnership supported by the UNEP & FAO, designed by the Youth Task Force to empower youth-led organisations that ai...

30/11/2025

YEEM at Youth Environment Assembly 2025: Day 1 Highlights
Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management (YEEM) is pleased to share key updates from Day 1 of the Youth Environment Assembly (YEA) 2025 in Nairobi.
Representing YEEM in person is Grace Chilongo, ensuring Malawi’s youth perspectives are strongly reflected in global environmental governance processes.
Our participation yesterday focused on:
1) Strengthening meaningful youth engagement in multilateral environmental governance
2) Understanding reforms in the global environmental architecture
3) Exploring how financial systems can support SDG achievement
4) Advancing children’s rights in environmental decision-making
5) Contributing to consultations on UNEA-7 draft resolutions

Key reflections from Day 1:
🔹 The triple planetary crisis requires interconnected solutions.
🔹 Youth participation must be resourced, ambitious, and specific.
🔹 Environmental challenges impact health, education, livelihoods, and peace.
🔹 Young people are essential drivers of change shaping global solutions.

YEEM remains committed to ensuring Malawi’s environmental priorities and youth voices are represented as YEA continues toward UNEA-7.

👉 Follow CYMG livestreams and updates: https://www.cymgenv.net/yea-2025
More updates coming soon from Nairobi!

Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP

29/11/2025

Youth Environment Assembly (YEA) 2025 Begins

The Youth Environment Assembly (YEA) has officially commenced, bringing together young leaders from around the world to engage on environmental governance ahead of OECPR-7 and UNEA-7.
As YEEM, we will be following and sharing key highlights from the discussions, negotiations, and youth engagements throughout this period.
For those who would like to join the sessions online or follow the work of the Children and Youth Major Group (CYMG), you can find more information and updates through their platform: Youth Environment Assembly 2025 | CYMG
We look forward to keeping our community informed as the process unfolds.
Children and Youth Major Group to UNEP

26/11/2025

With the 16 Days of Activism already in motion, we are reminded of the urgent need to address one of the fastest-growing forms of abuse facing women and girls: digital violence.

Online spaces should be places of learning, connection, and opportunity, not harassment, intimidation, deep fakes, or abuse. Yet every day, women and girls in Malawi and across the world face cyberbullying, non-consensual image sharing, online stalking, doxxing, AI-generated abuse, and harmful attacks that spill into real-life danger.

As YEEM, we stand with the global UNiTE campaign to say:
There is for online abuse.
Not today. Not ever.

From 25 November to 10 December, we join millions of voices calling for:
1) Stronger laws that recognise and criminalize digital violence
2) Accountability from tech platforms
3) Support for survivors
4) Safer online spaces for all women and girls
5) Collective action from communities, youth, and leaders

Ending violence. digital or offline, is possible when we stand together.
Let’s use our voices, platforms, and influence to reject harmful norms and help build a digital world that protects rather than harms.
Wear orange. Speak out. Take action.

03/11/2025

At YEEM, we believe that every seed carries the power to create change. Our beautiful NUA 45 beans represent more than just a crop, they are a story of resilience, sustainability, and community effort.

These nutrient-rich beans thrive even under changing climate conditions, helping local farmers build food security and improve their livelihoods.

As we nurture these fields, we are also nurturing hope, knowledge, and shared purpose. Together, we are showing that sustainable farming is not only a livelihood but a legacy, one bean at a time.
And yes, you can buy NUA 45 beans from us too! Let’s grow impact together.

30/10/2025

Celebrating African Food and Nutrition Security Day!

At Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management (YEEM), we believe that building food and nutrition security starts with sustainable action at the community level.
This year, we have launched a new integrated farming project where we are cultivating maize and beans on the same piece of land, a climate-smart approach that enriches soil fertility, enhances yields, and improves household nutrition.
Our maize is already growing, thanks to irrigation efforts that allow us to plant ahead of the rainy season. Next weekend, we’ll be adding beans to the field, creating a natural balance where maize benefits from the nitrogen beans add to the soil.
Through this initiative, we aim not only to contribute to local food security but also to demonstrate practical, youth-led solutions for sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.
Together, we can grow a healthier, more nourished Africa, one field at a time. 🌍🌱

15/10/2025

🌷 Happy Mother’s Day from YEEM! 🌷

Today, we celebrate the power of mothers, the first teachers, caregivers, and changemakers who inspire us to dream bigger and build better communities. 💪🏾💚
At YEEM, we honour all the mothers who continue to raise young leaders, protect the environment, and nurture hope for a sustainable future. Your love fuels action. Your strength sparks change.
Here’s to every mother shaping a greener, fairer, and more peaceful world, today and every day. 🌍✨

04/10/2025

YEEM’s Bean Harvest: Growing Change from the Ground Up

We are excited to share some good news from our bean farming project! Through this initiative, Youth Empowerment and Environmental Management (YEEM) set out to create an income-generating activity that also promotes sustainable agriculture.

We chose beans because they are resilient, require little to no fertilizer, and help improve soil fertility by adding nitrogen naturally. This makes them a perfect crop for climate-smart farming. 🌱

The journey has not been without challenges, but this harvest reminds us that patience and teamwork truly pay off. Beyond the beans themselves, this project has strengthened our belief that young people can lead practical solutions for food security, environmental care, and community resilience.

A big thank you to everyone who supported and believed in this idea, together, we are not just farming beans, we are growing a more sustainable future. ❤️

29/07/2025

🌱 Sustainable Farming in Action: Beans, Berries & Earth Restoration🌍

Meet Mr. Dandaulo, one of the passionate farmers YEEM is working with this year. On a single piece of land, he is growing beans and strawberries, a combination that is not only profitable but also supports earth restoration.

"Strawberries are a profitable business," Mr. Dandaulo says, "but their perishability is a big challenge, and finding the right market is key."

Growing beans is part of sustainable agriculture, as beans naturally enrich the soil with nitrogen, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers, and protect the land from erosion. Pairing beans with strawberries maximizes land use while improving soil health, an approach aligned with the principles of earth restoration.

Some YEEM members are currently participating in the Peacebuilding through Earth Restoration training offered by United Religions Initiative. Stories like Mr. Dandaulo’s remind us that sustainable farming is not only about food but also about healing the land and building peace with nature.