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PAGE participates to Project Pitch Competition

From Awareness to Action: Empowering African Youth for Biodiversity Conservation

PAGE Morocco participated in the 2nd edition African Youth Summit on Biodiversity 2023 that took place in Rabat on 19-21 September. One of the key highlights of the summit was the project pitches competition in which PAGE National Coordinator, Ali Benryane, was invited to be part of the jury. The competition presented an opportunity for youth from Africa to contribute significantly to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and leave a lasting impact. The jury awarded Ms. Esther Folepe Azemo from Cameroun for her innovative bioconversion project using army fly larvae to strengthen the ecosystem and create youth employment in the Benoué region, Northern Cameroun.

 

“I am so happy to have won the first prize from African youth biodiversity conservation. […] This prize is not only an achievement for the organization I represent, but also the beginning of our long journey in participating in the conservation and protection of our dear planet. Climate change concerns us all and we should all act together to see meaningful change.”, she said.

In total, there were 18 youth-led proposals selected. Only the top three had the opportunity to be pitched. The other finalists were Festus Massaho from Tanzania and Bienzy Aymar from Burkina Faso. Festus Massho pitched the Mara Bay Conservation initiative, a path to community-led biodiversity stewardship while Bienzy Aymar pitched the Association Vivre Au Village (VIVAVI)’s innovative project.

Ms. Folepe Azemo will now have the opportunity to present her project to potential donors during a “fundraising tour” sponsored by Expertise France and AFD, the AYBS 2023 main partners.

I am so happy to have won the first prize from African youth biodiversity conservation. […] This prize is not only an achievement for the organization I represent, but also the beginning of our long journey in participating in the conservation and protection of our dear planet. Climate change concerns us all and we should all act together to see meaningful change.

Ms. Esther Folepe Azemo, representing the Academie d'Art Oratoire in Cameroon who presented the project that aims to protect Bénoué National Park's biodiversity by turning black soldier fly larvae waste into biogas.
Ms. Esther Folepe Azemo, representing the Academie d'Art Oratoire in Cameroon who presented the project that aims to protect Bénoué National Park's biodiversity by turning black soldier fly larvae waste into biogas.

The members of the jury consisted of a representative of PAGE, UNDP Morocco, GIZ, Expertise France, the French Development Agency, the Ministry of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development of Morocco, and the Mohammed VI Foundation for Environment Preservation.

The second edition of the African Youth Summit on Biodiversity (AYSB 2023) was geared towards engaging youth in driving forward the GBF, which sets the stage for global action in preserving and restoring biodiversity.

The annual African Youth Summit on Biodiversity (AYSB) is a three-day summit organized by GYBN Africa that brings together young African leaders to discuss issues related to the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. The summit aims to provide an environment designed to boost leadership skills and empower African youth to take action in their communities to protect and conserve biodiversity.

 

Sources: PAGE Morocco, AWF, AYBS 2023

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