By Charmant Walehema

Climate YES Democratic Republic of Congo (CY DRC) hosted an impactful leadership training seminar in Goma City on November 8, 2025, empowering twenty-five young environmental advocates to confront the region’s escalating waste crisis. The event brought together fifteen hub leaders—including representation from youth living with disabilities—alongside expert trainers and members of local Clubs for Nature.

The workshop delivered intensive training on the intersections of waste pollution and climate change, emphasizing the urgent economic and ecological need to transition from a “throwaway economy” to a circular system. Participants also analyzed the structural failures of the August 2025 UN Global Plastics Treaty negotiations in Geneva, gaining crucial insights into the complexities of international policy lifecycle management and legally binding frameworks.

Weaving theory into immediate action, delegates demonstrated their environmental stewardship by planting fifteen fruit trees within the local Anglican Church yard to boost community climate resilience.

Inspired by the sessions, the newly equipped hub leaders resolved to launch community upcycling initiatives, partnering with talented local artists to transform plastic waste into art. Through this milestone training, Climate YES DRC successfully fortified its grassroots leadership pipeline to spearhead sustainable waste solutions across Goma.