This article was originally written by Eng. Balbina Andrew, NOURISH AFRICA, via Panorama Solutions.

The 'One Goal: 100 Trees' project has become our significant approach on ecosystem restoration and biodiversity management at Nourish Africa: Advancing and advocating environmental stewardship for youth in Tanzania through football as conservation tool. 

Every Goal scored matches 100 trees to be planted. This inspires a culture of sustainability and responsibility among young people in universities, colleges, and local communities. This approach not only fosters remarkable teamwork and competition beyond the pitch, but also addresses the challenges of desertification, drought, land and forest degradation, loss of biodiversity and ecosystems.

The initiative was born out of a desire to empower young people to take ownership of their environment. In Tanzania, where football is a beloved sport, we recognized the potential of football as a unifying and influential tool. In a flagship activity, the initiative had incredible community impacts through successfully planting thousands of trees across campuses and local areas, contributing to increased green cover and improved biodiversity. In this, over 12,500 students engaged in environmental conservation activities. The project established strong collaboration with football clubs, more than five environmental organizations, governmental agencies, and local influencers, creating a support network that enhanced the initiative’s reach and effectives.

As the campaign progressed, we witnessed a remarkable transformation. Young people who had previously been disconnected from environmental issues began to see themselves as vital contributors to the well-being of their communities and planet. Through football, we were able to make environmental education accessible and relatable, sparking a change in mindset that extended beyond the individual.

One young woman, Glory Joseph, a medical student from Bugando, stood out in particular.  She became deeply involved in our campaign after participating in one of the football tournaments. Inspired by the connection between her love for the game and her newfound understanding of conservation, she began leading local initiatives to plant endangered tree species and educate her peers on sustainable practices. Her enthusiasm spread, influencing others in the community to take similar actions. This young woman’s journey is just one example of how the campaign has not only changed individual mindsets but also positively transformed an entire community as she said there is no safe environment without us involving in.

Here, we call upon all individuals and environmental enthusiast globally to volunteer and donate for our initiative. Let’s mitigate environmental challenges together in local actions for the global objectives. For more information and how to join the activities visit our website: www.nourishafrica.org.

This article is a contribution from a Restoration Academy Alumni. Balbina, the author of both, the Panorama Solution and this article, successfully completed the Restoration Academy Tanzania and actively participates in the Alumni Network. The Restoration Academy is a workshops series that aims to connect local and national organizations with the UN Decade, foster knowledge exchange and help grow the #GenerationRestoration movement.