On August 6, 2025, in the neighboring villages of Lokolama and Penzélé, a wind of hope blew among the youth. Greenpeace Africa organized a meeting there to raise awareness and mobilize young people around volunteering and civic engagement.

Building the future through youth

A total of 22 young graduates participated in this session, coming to listen, debate, and learn how to become agents of change within their communities. The history of Greenpeace, its values, its mission, and its victories were shared enthusiastically by the volunteers in attendance.

This meeting highlighted a simple truth: forest protection cannot succeed without the energy and creativity of young people.

Volunteering as a lever for action

The discussions provided a concrete explanation of what it means to be a volunteer for Greenpeace Africa: giving your time, raising awareness among your peers, organizing local activities, and bringing the voices of indigenous peoples to public spaces.

Inspired by the stories and experiences shared, several young people saw volunteering as a unique opportunity to make a positive contribution to their communities.

“We don’t want to remain spectators. We want to take action and be useful to our villages and our forests,” said a young person from Lokolama, with the approval of his peers.

A decisive step towards engagement

At the end of the meeting, 15 young people—13 from Lokolama and two from Penzélé—expressed their desire to join the Greenpeace Africa volunteer network. This is a powerful decision that marks the beginning of a new local dynamic.

Young ambassadors for the forest

These new volunteers are now ambassadors for a conscious and committed youth, ready to build a more just, united, and environmentally friendly society. Their involvement will be an essential driving force in inspiring other young people and strengthening community resilience.