The Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative

In the past ten years, 188 young environmental activists from over 50 countries received a grant through the Joke Waller-Hunter Initiative (JWHI). They use the award (between 2.500 euro and 7.000 euro) for educational programmes, internships or trainings that advance their professional aspirations.

Joke Waller-Hunter (1946–2005) was an influential person in the world of international environmental action, who served as the UNFCCC’s Executive Secretary. She left her estate to Both ENDS with clear instructions to use it for fostering dedicated, knowledgeable and skilful leaders for the environmental movement in the Global South.

The JWHI grants, modest as they are, often provide just that boost young people need to realise their commitment to environmental justice. Sandra Adéyêmi Freitas from Togo, for instance, used the grant for an internship at the renowned Senegalese NGO ENDA and to finish her Master’s degree in Environmental Diplomacy. She set up a successful environmental organisation in her home country and was the first woman in Togo selected to join the country’s delegation to the UNFCCC. Grantee Nang Shining used her grant to improve her English and finance the fieldwork for her Master’s degree. She studied three riverside communities in Thailand adversely affected by a hydroelectric dam. She then chose to make a difference at the grassroots level in her place of birth, a remote forest area of Myanmar. There she works towards raising the awareness of local youth groups on their rights and environmental justice.

The number of dedicated young people in the environmental movement in the south is fast growing. The JWHI is one of very few initiatives that offers some of them the opportunity to fulfil their potential and become future leaders.

FROM JWHI GRANTEE TO ANALOG FORESTRY PROMOTOR IN AFRICA

Periementah (Perry) Kutchoteh Ndzefemmegho from Cameroon used his JWHI grant in 2011 to attend a course on Climate Change Governance at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. Today, he plays a pivotal role in the African network for analog forestry that is supported by Both ENDS’ Rich Forests project. Analog forestry is a method to convert degraded soil into a man-made forest with a high degree of biodiversity. Analog forests provide the same ecological functions as a natural forest as well as valuable products for local farmers to use and sell.

Abhishek Shrestha, Nepal
FUTURE LEADER IN: climate activism and sustainable development
ORGANISATION: Digo Bikas Institute
GOAL: enrich his understanding and knowledge on ecological sustainability, sustainable development, and indigenous knowledge on environmental conservation

Khadijatul Kubara, Bangladesh
FUTURE LEADER IN: civil society capacity building
ORGANISATION: AOSED
GOALS: improved English language skills • enhanced capacity for doing participatory social studies

Elana Kroneberg, South Africa
FUTURE LEADER IN: awareness-raising on environmental issues
ORGANISATION: Earthlife Africa Cape Town
GOAL: strengthen her skills in the ability to motivate young people to become active change-makers

Lina Rengifo, Colombia
FUTURE LEADER IN: management of environmental resources in urban areas
ORGANISATION: Siembra Urbana
GOAL: to gain specific knowledge about urban planning and valuation of environmental services

Eswaran Ve, India
FUTURE LEADER IN: water-sensitive agriculture
ORGANISATION: self-employed
GOAL: become an effective diffuser of innovations in water conservation and water-sensitive agricultural techniques among rural and urban populations primarily youth

Lorena Ortiz Garcia, Mexico
FUTURE LEADER IN: indigenous leadership especially with respect to the role of women
ORGANISATION: Tonelhuayotzin Nuestra Raiz A.C.
GOAL: implement and share the acquired knowledge about food production, environmental protection, and the role of women in her village

Gauri Noolkar, India
FUTURE LEADER IN: water sector
ORGANISATION: Gomukh
GOALS: acquiring effective communication skills • supplement theoretical knowledge with experience in on-the-ground realities

Mala San, Cambodia
FUTURE LEADER IN: environmental justice
ORGANISATION: Mother Nature Cambodia
GOAL: personal development in skills and knowledge on environmental issues

Jonas Kunda, Zambia
FUTURE LEADER IN: environmental justice
ORGANISATION: Green Initiative Zambia
GOAL: develop leadership skills and strategies on Community Based Natural Resources Management and Climate Change

Olfa Jelassi, Tunisia
FUTURE LEADER IN: local sustainable development and gender issues
ORGANISATION: We Love Kairouan
GOALS: develop advocacy capacities in international climate politics • increase skills to transfer the knowledge gained on international level to the national and local level