About Our Organisation

Foreword

Youth for Ecosystem Restoration (Y4ER) is a timely and crucial initiative that harnesses the energy and idealism of young people to address one of the most pressing challenges of our era: the degradation and destruction of ecosystems.

Ecosystems are the very fabric of life on Earth, providing essential services such as clean air and water, soil formation, and climate regulation. Yet, human activities have led to unprecedented levels of ecosystem degradation, threatening the health and well-being of people and the planet.
Y4ER recognizes the critical role that young people must play in restoring ecosystems and promoting sustainable development. By empowering youths with knowledge, skills, and opportunities, this initiative aims to inspire a new generation of ecosystem restoration leaders and practitioners. Through their collective efforts, Y4ER seeks to restore the health and resilience of ecosystems, enhance biodiversity, and support human well-being. We applaud the dedication and commitment of the Y4ER community and pledge our support to this vital endeavor.

Executive Summary

Youth for Ecosystem Restoration (Y4ER) is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering young leaders and promoting sustainable development in the Kafue Sub-Basin. Our mission is to safeguard water and aquatic food systems, transform agriculture and foodscapes, protect and restore forests, drive extended producer responsibility, and amplify youth voices in climate leadership.

Our strategic objectives for the Kafue Sub-Basin include:

Empowering young leaders in environmental governance and policy reform.
Restoring 10% of degraded aquatic ecosystems and implementing sustainable water management practices by 2030.
Supporting farmers in transitioning to regenerative agriculture practices by 2030.
Protecting 20% of forests from deforestation and degradation by 2030.
Implementing extended producer responsibility and reducing waste by 20%, by the year 2030.

Y4ER will achieve its objectives through various programs and projects, including habitat conservation and restoration, sustainable fishing practices, community engagement and education, waste management and pollution reduction, sustainable livelihoods, research and monitoring, and capacity building. Our organization structure consists of a well experienced leadership team, program managers, team leads, staff, volunteers, and a governing board. Our financial plan includes a budget of 5 (five) million Zambian Kwacha per year for five years, allocated across personnel, programs, fundraising, and miscellaneous expenses.

Y4ER team will monitor and evaluate our progress through a framework that includes indicators, data collection, monitoring and evaluation schedules, evaluation criteria, stakeholder engagement, and learning and adaptation.
Partnership and collaboration are crucial to our success, Y4ER will identify potential partners, build strategic collaborations, and foster open communication and trust. We will also manage risks through a risk assessment, mitigation strategies, contingency plans, and emergency response protocols.
Finally, Y4ER will build capacity through staff and organizational development, training and capacity-building programs, and a communication strategy that includes internal and external communication, branding, marketing, outreach, and social media presence.
By following this strategic plan, Y4ER aims to make a significant impact in the Kafue Sub-Basin and contribute to a sustainable future for all

Francis Mwembo