Grant blog published 07 May 2026

International Day of Education Grants

To celebrate International Day of Education in Botanic Gardens, and the recently launched Declaration of Intent on Climate Action Education, BGCI and the Korea National Arboretum provided a number of grants to BGCI members undertaking education activities aligned with the climate declaration.

This blog provides an overview of one of the projects funded – Youth Climate Champions: Engaging Communities through Plant Conservation

The project

Harar Biodiversity Center, located in eastern Ethiopia, is proud to participate in the global celebration of the International Day of Education in Botanic Gardens and Arboreta through our project, Youth Climate Champions: Engaging Communities through Plant Conservation.

The project aims to empower youth, students, and local communities to take climate-positive actions through plant conservation, environmental education, and practical engagement. In a region facing increasing environmental pressures such as land degradation, biodiversity loss, and climate variability, this initiative focuses on building awareness while promoting hands-on solutions.

Currently, the project is in its active preparation phase. Harar Biodiversity Center has initiated staff coordination meetings and stakeholder consultations to ensure effective implementation of the planned activities. Recently, we conducted a joint field visit with staff and stakeholders to a local nursery site where native seedlings are being prepared for the upcoming planting campaign. During this visit, we assessed seedling readiness and selected appropriate species for planting.

In addition, we held a productive discussion with the management of Qulubi Secondary School to coordinate the delivery of youth training activities. The school will play a key role in mobilizing students and supporting participation in both educational sessions and practical planting activities on 12 June 2026.

As part of the preparation, we also carried out a demonstration planting activity using seedlings from the nursery site. This helped to practically assess site conditions and reinforce technical planning for the main event. Educational materials, banners, and event logistics are currently being finalized.

The main event on 12 June will bring together approximately 100 students, youth participants, and community members. Activities will include climate education sessions, training on plant conservation and nursery management, and a community planting campaign of 500 native seedlings.

This project highlights the role of biodiversity centers as important spaces for learning, conservation, and community engagement. By combining education with practical action, participants are not only learning about environmental challenges but also actively contributing to solutions.

Harar Biodiversity Center is honoured to be supported by Botanic Gardens Conservation International and to be part of this global initiative. We look forward to sharing the outcomes of our activities following the International Day of Education.