Climate change continues to be one of the most critical challenges of our time, impacting economies and communities across the globe, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. Ghana is highly vulnerable, with environmental degradation, poverty, and high unemployment posing significant threats to national efforts toward achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to combat climate change.

Smallholder farmers, in pursuit of higher yields, expand their operations into forested areas, contributing to deforestation. Meanwhile, illegal mining practices continue to destroy ecosystems, including valuable forest reserves. These practices are undermining Ghana’s progress toward sustainable environmental management and climate resilience.

In response to these challenges, IDE: Initiatives for Development and Education, Ghana recognizes the urgent need to equip young people with the knowledge and skills to address environmental challenges. The ECORISED (Ecologically Aroused) Project aligns with Ghana’s commitment to Action for Climate Empowerment (ACE) under the UNFCCC, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 – Quality Education, SDG 8 – Decent Work and Economic Growth, SDG 13 – Climate Action, and SDG 15 – Life on Land. ECORISED seeks to provide pathways for youth to engage in climate-smart agriculture and other environmentally sustainable livelihoods.