Ongoing projects
TUI JUNIOR ACADEMY THE GAMBIA
TUI Junior Academy The Gambia
Empowering Young People Through Climate Education and Action
Climate change is already affecting communities across The Gambia, with changing rainfall patterns, drought, soil degradation, coastal erosion, flooding and the loss of forests and biodiversity becoming increasingly visible. Yet many schoolchildren have limited opportunities to learn about climate change and how they can respond to its impacts.
TUI Junior Academy The Gambia, implemented by Green-Up Gambia with the support of the TUI Care Foundation, is addressing this gap by bringing climate education into schools through hands-on learning, teacher training, environmental projects and community engagement.
The project is working with 30 schools across six regions of The Gambia, with 300 students aged 10–15 and 30 teachers directly participating in the programme. Through regional bootcamps, students are learning about climate change, deforestation, biodiversity, sustainable farming, water conservation and waste management through interactive activities, storytelling, group work and practical exercises.
Learning also extends beyond the classroom through planned educational excursions to important natural areas such as Tanji Bird Reserve, Abuko Nature Reserve and Kiang West National Park. These experiences are designed to help students connect climate and environmental issues with the ecosystems and communities around them.
Building Teachers' Capacity
Teachers are essential to ensuring that climate education continues beyond individual project activities. Through a dedicated Train-the-Trainer programme, 30 teacher coordinators are being equipped with knowledge, practical tools and age-appropriate teaching methods to integrate environmental topics into their regular lessons.
The training also supports teachers in facilitating student-led environmental projects, strengthening school green clubs and creating a lasting culture of environmental awareness within participating schools.
Turning Schools into Climate Action Spaces
TUI Junior Academy The Gambia is designed to move beyond awareness and encourage practical climate action within schools.
Each participating school will receive support to implement an environmental project co-designed by students and teachers. These projects may include initiatives such as tree nurseries, school gardens and other school-based environmental activities.
Through these initiatives, students will have opportunities to apply what they learn, involve their peers and contribute to greener and healthier school environments.
Connecting Schools and Communities
Climate action extends beyond the school environment. As part of the project, Green-Up Gambia is engaging communities connected to participating schools through climate dialogues and storytelling sessions, with a particular focus on women and their experiences of climate change.
In four communities, participants will have the opportunity to explore local climate experiences and discuss practical approaches to adaptation and mitigation. Using a solar-powered mobile cinema, climate stories will connect issues such as crop losses, water shortages and environmental degradation with broader climate trends.
These community activities are intended to strengthen conversations around climate resilience while encouraging families and communities to support positive environmental practices.
Expected Reach and Impact
As the project progresses, TUI Junior Academy The Gambia aims to:
Directly engage 300 students from 30 schools in climate and environmental education.
Train 30 teachers, including at least 15 women, in environmental education and facilitation.
Reach approximately 7,500 additional students through peer learning, school green clubs and follow-up activities.
Support participating schools to implement practical environmental projects.
Engage approximately 200 women across four communities through climate storytelling and community dialogues.
Strengthen young people's knowledge, confidence and ability to take action on environmental and climate-related challenges.
By placing young people, teachers and communities at the centre of climate education and action, TUI Junior Academy The Gambia is working to build a generation of informed, environmentally conscious and climate-active young people who can contribute to a greener and more resilient Gambia.
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