INTRODUCTION.
Emerging Circular Economy Fellowship Program is a
7-months international fellowship funded by 10 billion Strong and implemented
in Tanzania by HUDEFO. This international initiative aims to empower young
changemakers (ages 18-25) to lead community-based circular economy projects. In
Tanzania, the program is designed to equip these emerging leaders with the
skills, mentorship, and practical experience needed to implement local
solutions for environmental and economic resilience. The fellowship combines
in-person and virtual learning experiences. Participants will deepen their
understanding of environmental, economic, and social challenges in their
country and identify practical, circular solutions.
Key
components include completing the online Green Leaders Academy, participating
in three live online training workshops, and receiving a mini-grant to support
their project. The ultimate objective is for participants to design and
implement a community-based project that demonstrates the potential of circular
economy innovation, fostering long-term collaboration between young leaders and
expert mentors. The fellowship was officially launched on Saturday, July 19,
2025, at the American Corner. The event
was graced by various stakeholders, including 4 government officials, 4
environmentalists, 1 media practitioner, 3 entrepreneurs, and 49 aspiring
fellows.
This project was
implemented to reduce environmental pollution by transforming street waste into
useful handmade products. The initiative focused on converting materials such
as coconut shells, paper, fabric remains, and bottle tops into attractive bracelets
and table mats. The project also provided practical skills development,
short-term employment, and raised environmental awareness among youth and women
in the community. The
circular economy promotes a regenerative system that minimizes waste, maximizes
resource use, and supports biodiversity, offering solutions to Tanzania's
challenges like urban waste in Dar es Salaam (generating over 5,000 tons daily)
and limited economic opportunities for youth and women. Loop forward focused on
environmental education and green innovation, organized this bootcamp to build
capacity in these groups, who often lead informal recycling but lack formal
training.
Background and Problem Statement:
Poor waste management
remains a major challenge in urban and peri-urban areas. Streets and markets
are littered with materials like coconut shells, paper, fabric remains, and
bottle tops, which contribute to pollution and poor sanitation. At the same time,
many youth and women lack income-generating opportunities. This project sought
to address both problems by collecting waste materials and turning them into
useful, marketable products.
The launch began with welcoming words from Ms.
Sarah Pima of HUDEFO, who confidently explained the purpose of this
program to empower youth to initiate and manage circular economy projects in
their communities. I watched her speak with emotion, realizing that this was
not just an ordinary project it was a call to a new generation of youth to
combat the problem of waste with innovation and knowledge. At that moment, I
felt as if I was sitting in the midst of a new history for Tanzania, a history
being built by young people who see value in what society has become accustomed
to calling "waste."
Then Magdalene Pike, the Executive Director of
10 billion Strong, stood up and gave the opening address. She spoke with a
voice of hope, recounting her personal journey in the fight against non-organic
waste like plastic. I felt excitement when she said, "Waste is not the end
of use it is the beginning of a new cycle." That statement made me reflect
on our cities with rivers clogged with plastic, dumpsites that have lost their
purpose, and to envision a future where these young people could truly bring
about change.
After that speech, the discussion on "Waste to
Wealth, A Youth Opportunity" began, led by Madam Nyendo Kinyonga.
Here I saw the emerging new face of Tanzania activists, journalists,
entrepreneurs, and women who have decided to turn waste into opportunity. David
emphasized that every piece of waste has value, and Khadija Nkya
testified how she discovered "waste is money" even without an
environmental education. Their words shook me, and I wondered would we be a
more prosperous nation if we saw waste as a resource instead of a burden?
I was most captivated by the story of Asma Kulaga,
a young woman who boldly stated that the circular economy could be a bridge to
liberating women in rural areas. She narrated how small waste-based businesses
can give a woman income and status in her community. At that point, I felt the
article beginning to write itself in my mind a story of hope, courage, and
innovation. In Asma's face, I saw the faces of thousands of Tanzanian women
seeking their place of freedom within the green economy.
As the discussion continued, Halil Latea, a
journalist like me, stood up and stirred the hall with his sharp arguments. He
spoke about the dangers of poor waste management disease, stench, and the
degradation of the urban landscape. But he added something that touched me most
the role of the media in changing behavior. "We can write, record, and
disseminate narratives that will make people see the value of conserving the
environment," he said. I felt that statement resonate within my heart,
reminding me why I started this journey of reporting on climate change not for
fame, but to ignite the fire of understanding.
Among the contributors was also Mr. Robert Muganzi,
a researcher who presented findings from a study on the state of the circular
economy in Tanzania. He explained in detail the existing challenges and
opportunities, encouraging the youth to seek capital through financial
institutions. Listening to him, I realized that the circular economy doesn't
just require innovation, but also financial courage. These young people before
me had big ideas, but they needed support from the government, organizations,
and banks that often do not trust the youth.
Then we reached the climax of the day the official
launch of the Emerging Circular Economy Fellowship program. When the
announcement was made, the entire hall erupted in applause and joy. I felt as
if every cheer was a sign of a new promise. The 50 selected fellows were called
by their names, and their eyes twinkled like evening stars. I felt proud to be
part of this event emotionally, not just as a journalist, but as a witness to
history being built by a generation daring to sprout.
After the launch event, the youth were invited to sign
a Commitment Board as a symbol of their pledge to the environment. This step,
facilitated by HUDEFO, clearly showed that they had decided to take this
crucial step. For the youth who attended the event, it was like an oath to
initiate, manage, develop, and achieve the goals of this circular economy
program in Dar es Salaam. Some wrote with hands trembling with emotion, others
smiling with hope. I realized these names were not just words on paper, they were
real promises to transform their communities. The bigger picture that remained
in my heart was the image of young people who believe in a green future.
When I left that hall, I was left contemplating the
social force I had witnessed. I felt I had watched seeds of hope sprouting in
the soil of challenge. These fifty youths were not just program participants
they were heroes of this era, raising new awareness about how Tanzania can
stand economically without destroying the environment. I felt a sense of
responsibility as a writer, I had to be a bridge between them and the
community, to tell their stories for the world to hear.
In a conversation with Ms. Sarah Pima, she
explained to me that the goal of this program is to prepare a generation of
green leaders who will develop sustainable projects every year. She smiled and
said, "We want to see these young people creating jobs through waste, not
complaining about the lack of jobs." That statement made me smile too. I
saw her speaking to the participants with love and hope, as if she was a mother
sending her children out to change the world. It was a picture of compassionate
leadership that believes in empowerment rather than command.
I remembered the various testimonies of the
participants and presenters at that opening event, such as Magdalene Pike and
her journey in the fight against non-organic waste, Khadija Nkya who
discovered that waste is money, and Asma Kulaga who fought for women's place in
the green economy. I felt that each of them was part of a larger narrative
showing the realization and understanding that development does not mean
environmental destruction.
This youth project focused on several key elements to
achieve its overall objective. Among the strategies used to educate and expose
participants to emerging opportunities were the structured guidelines of the
entire program. HUDEFO, in collaboration with environmental and circular
economy stakeholders, prepared 15 comprehensive training modules designed to
support the project’s mission.
1. Global Environmental
Overview
2. Circular Economy
3. Conservation and
Biodiversity
4. Climate Change
5. Climate Adaptation and
Mitigation
6. Plastic and Air
Pollution
7. Leadership Development
8. Social Innovation and
Transformative Action
9. Civic Engagement and
Environmental Stewardship
10. Environmental
Movement Building
11. Stakeholders and
Systems Thinking
12. Personal Leadership
and Next Steps
13. Advocacy and Policy
Engagement
14. Communication and
Storytelling for Impact
15. Project Design and Implementation
After completing all the modules, the youth graduated
with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills. They successfully created
various products from waste materials and transformed them into viable business
opportunities that generate income while simultaneously protecting and
conserving the environment.
Despite these challenges, there is an urgent need to
expand this knowledge to more young people in order to increase economic
opportunities and strengthen environmental conservation efforts. HUDEFO expects
that the beneficiaries of these modules will become trainers for their peers,
as part of a broader strategy to spread environmental awareness and promote
circular economy practices within their communities.
Today, as I write this article, I can still hear the
sounds of applause, laughter, and promises from that launch day. The journey of
these young people towards a green economy has begun, and I am side by side
with them as a journalist and an environmental enthusiast. Through my eyes, I
see a shining future a future where waste will no longer be a problem, but a
source of income, innovation, and employment. This is a call to the entire
nation let us support these young people, because within them lies the hope for
a sustainable Tanzania.
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