The Young Eco-Stars Programme (YES-P) is a climate leadership and exchange program for 60 high school and university students from Indonesia, Nigeria, and the USA. YES-P has been recognized as a winner of the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund provided by the U.S. Department of State, with Global Ties U.S. serving as the implementing partner.
Erin Shen (Alumni of National Security Language Initiative for Youth Program), a current senior at Statesboro High School, was able to use her language skills and her interest in diplomacy to partner with various organizations and climate activists across the world to make this a reality.
Since its launch in June 2024, YES-P has made significant strides in youth empowerment and climate advocacy, empowering 60 students aged 16-25 from climate-vulnerable regions in Indonesia, Nigeria, and the US to become the new generation of environmental leaders. The program's 5-week virtual training brought in international speakers to cover topics from the basics of climate change to effective climate campaign strategies.
Through 10 intensive learning sessions, participants gained knowledge about environmental science, climate impacts, youth-led initiatives, social media advocacy, sustainable lifestyle implementation, and more. As one Nigerian participant posted on LinkedIn after a training session, “[it] was truly amazing, inspiring, and insightful, and it sparked a fire within us to take action and make a difference. I learned that young people have a vital role to play in making the world better and preserving it for the future. It's clear that young people are not just the future, but also the present.”
A highlight of YES-P has been the capstone projects, where students have applied their newfound knowledge to address local environmental challenges. We’ve seen 12 innovative projects emerge across the three countries, tackling issues such as plastic waste, gully erosion, deforestation, and environmental literacy.
For instance, in Indonesia, students launched the "Plastic Busters Programme" to reduce plastic usage in their high school through educational activities and a school-wide competition, while in Nigeria, a team conducted a social media campaign on gully erosion, along with a community cleanup. In the U.S., students established an Eco-Defense Club at Statesboro High School, organizing waste cleanups and educating peers on sustainable living. These projects have not only made tangible impacts in three continents but have also empowered the young participants as change-makers in their communities.
Building on the virtual sessions, YES-P has also started implementing in-person program components. YES-P conducted a one-day local training for our Nigerian Eco-Stars with local partner Gombe State University on "Fundraising for Advocacy: the Basics of Grant Writing". On the other side of the globe, our Indonesian cohort recently completed a field trip to the Tasikoki Wildlife Rescue Center, where Eco-Stars engaged in hands-on environmental education activities that deepened their understanding of local ecosystems and conservation efforts in Northern Sulawesi, Indonesia.
Meanwhile, in Statesboro, Georgia, Mr. Richard McCombs, SHS AP Environmental Teacher, took American Eco-Stars on a field trip to Kennedy Pond Conservancy, where they explored the history and significance of Carolina Bays in wetland conservation, pulled salamander and crawfish traps, participated in an invasive species walk, and conducted water quality testing.
For our Eco-Stars from Gombe State University in Nigeria, they had an unforgettable opportunity to explore Yankari Game Reserve and Wikki Spring where they spotted incredible wildlife while enjoying the crystal-clear waters of the Wikki Spring.
YES-P just recently had their graduation ceremony, featuring a virtual “cultural expo” and awards ceremony to conclude the journey.
