Douroum, Cameroon – From 6 to 10 February 2025, the village of Douroum in Cameroon’s Far North hosted a series of educational and practical activities to raise awareness and equip young people with the skills necessary to combat climate change. Organized as part of the INNOVACC (Innovation for Adaptation to Climate Change) project, these initiatives proved highly successful among pupils from the local high school, reaffirming that young people are an essential driving force for change.
During the week of activities, students participated in interactive workshops on agroecology, sustainable natural resource management and renewable energy. Practical training gave them hands-on experience in innovative techniques such as composting, seedballs and making biopesticides. One of the highlights was the Match des Incollables, a competition between several secondary schools on environmental themes, which captured the attention of the participants and stimulated their competitive spirit.
Bertin Takoutsing, INNOVACC project manager, expressed his satisfaction with the student’s enthusiasm and commitment: “Seeing these students so passionately involved in the activities is an immense source of pride. They have developed a taste for these courses and have understood that change starts at the grassroots. They are the ones who will be responsible for tomorrow’s solutions.
The involvement of Douroum’s students illustrates the positive impact such initiatives can have on young minds. By combining education with concrete action, INNOVACC demonstrates that knowledge and practice are potent levers for strengthening community resilience against climate challenges. The project encourages other villages and schools to engage in similar actions to prepare a generation that is both environmentally aware and proactive in protecting the environment.
In Douroum, young people are proving that change is possible. Who will follow their lead?
