Roos, Anders
- Department of Forest Economics, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Abstract
The Youth Handbook on African Forests is a product of the AfricanYouth4Forests (AY4F) initiative—a collaborative effort led by the African Forest Forum (AFF) in partnership with the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU) and the Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI). This initiative recognizes Africa’s youth as a dynamic force for innovation, sustainability, and change, and acknowledges the vital role that forests play in the continent’s climate, biodiversity, and development aspirations.
This Handbook is designed to bridge the gap between scientific knowledge on African forests and the everyday understanding and actions of young people across the continent. Targeted at youth aged 18–30, it offers accessible, engaging, and practical information about the significance of Africa’s forests in addressing pressing global challenges—from climate change and biodiversity loss to food security and sustainable livelihoods.
Through clear messages, key facts, inspiring stories, and opportunities for involvement, the Handbook highlights both the immense value of Africa’s forests and the urgent threats they face—such as deforestation, land degradation, and climate vulnerability. It encourages young people to explore sustainable solutions and take action to protect, restore, and responsibly manage forest resources.
The ultimate goal of this Handbook is to empower youth to become informed advocates and active participants in forest conservation and sustainable development. We envision this resource as a springboard for deeper youth engagement in the forest sector—helping them to navigate challenges, seize emerging opportunities within the green and bioeconomy, and contribute meaningfully to national and global forest goals.
By sparking curiosity, strengthening knowledge, and promoting action, we hope this Handbook will inspire a generation of young African leaders to become stewards of the continent’s forests—shaping a greener, more resilient, and inclusive future for all.
Keywords
African forests; bioeconomy; green entrepreneurship; sustainable forestry; youth action.
Published in
Publisher: African Forest Forum
SLU Authors
UKÄ Subject classification
Forest Science
Permanent link to this page (URI)
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/141829