By: Lebohang Maluke
MASERU
EarthCare Alliance Lesotho is an organisation that is actively engaging young people in environmental and climate action efforts across the country. By providing a range of youth opportunities which focuses on environmental sustainability, the Alliance is shaping the future of environmental activism in Lesotho, with a particular focus on marginalised groups such as herders.
Through youth leadership programs, volunteer initiatives, capacity-building workshops, and advocacy platforms, EarthCare Alliance is making strides to include the voices of young people in decision-making processes related to environmental issues. This holistic approach offers the next generation the tools, knowledge, and connections needed to influence the future of Lesotho’s environmental landscape.
One of the key elements of EarthCare Alliance’s youth initiatives is direct engagement in hands-on environmental projects. Young people in Lesotho have the opportunity to get involved in conservation activities such as tree planting, land restoration, and water management. These projects are designed not only to address critical environmental issues but also to cater to the specific needs of local communities.
For example, many regions in Lesotho struggle with soil erosion and deforestation, and by engaging youth in tree planting and land restoration initiatives, the Alliance is fostering a sense of environmental responsibility while also directly combating these issues. Moreover, water management projects are especially significant in a country where water resources are often limited and vulnerable to climate change impacts.
Through active participation in these projects, youth not only contribute to the improvement of their local environment but also gain a deeper understanding of sustainable resource management.
Another cornerstone of EarthCare Alliance’s efforts is leadership development. The organisation provides a range of training programs that equip young people with the necessary skills to become effective leaders in the field of environmental conservation. These programs focus on key areas such as project management, communication, advocacy, and community mobilisation.
Training in project management helps youth develop the skills to plan, implement, and evaluate environmental projects. Communication and advocacy training empower young people to effectively articulate environmental issues to their peers, communities, and policymakers.
Additionally, workshops on community mobilisation teach participants how to bring people together to work toward shared environmental goals. The leadership development aspect of EarthCare Alliance’s work is ensuring that young Basotho are not just passive participants in environmental action, but are empowered to take charge of projects and initiatives in their communities.
It goes beyond simply offering youth programs; it provides platforms for young people to take leadership roles in designing and implementing their own environmental projects. This approach ensures that the solutions created are locally relevant and rooted in the concerns of the community. By providing these opportunities, EarthCare Alliance is fostering innovation and creativity among young environmental leaders who are best positioned to understand the unique challenges their communities face.
It is also involved in policy advocacy. It recognises the importance of creating an enabling environment for youth-led environmental initiatives, which is why they engage with policymakers to advocate for youth-focused environmental policies.
By working with local and national government officials, EarthCare Alliance helps to ensure that the voices of young people are heard in the formulation of environmental laws, regulations, and programs. This advocacy work also includes the push for youth representation in key decision-making bodies that influence environmental policy, ensuring that young people’s perspectives are integrated into the development of solutions to climate change and other environmental challenges.
Recognising the power of collaboration, EarthCare Alliance provides networking opportunities for young environmental activists across Lesotho. These opportunities allow youth from different regions to connect, share knowledge, and collaborate on large-scale environmental projects. The power of a united, nationwide network of young people passionate about the environment cannot be overstated. Such collaboration enables the exchange of ideas and best practices, helping to scale up successful initiatives and create a more cohesive national effort towards environmental sustainability.
Through these networks, young people in Lesotho can learn from each other’s experiences, gain insights from different approaches to environmental challenges, and build partnerships that amplify their impact. These opportunities not only strengthen the youth movement but also contribute to creating a larger culture of environmental throughout the country.
Through its diverse programs and initiatives, EarthCare Alliance Lesotho is creating a platform for youth to engage meaningfully in environmental conservation and climate action. By providing direct engagement in environmental projects, leadership development, youth-led initiatives, policy advocacy, and networking opportunities, the Alliance is ensuring that young people play an active role in shaping the future of Lesotho’s environment.
Importantly, the organisation’s emphasis on including marginalised groups, such as herders, highlights its commitment to equity and inclusivity in environmental decision-making. The future of Lesotho’s environmental stewardship is in the hands of its youth, and EarthCare Alliance is helping to ensure that these young people are equipped and empowered to make a difference.