YCD Farmer Guide Secures Funding at Fund Proto Final Selection 2026
25 August 2026
Dear YCD family.
We are delighted to share the outcome of the Fund Proto selection process, in which YCD Farmer Guide represented Youth and Contemporary Development (YCD). We sincerely thank the government authorities of Cameroon for supporting initiatives that empower young people to innovate and contribute to national development.
The competition attracted approximately 3,000 applications, from which 51 projects reached the final phase after presenting before a jury. At the end of the evaluation, 35 beneficiaries were selected for funding.
We are proud to announce that YCD Farmer Guide ranked 17th and obtained seed funding, a reflection of the hard work, creativity, and teamwork of everyone involved. This victory belongs to YCD.
Our thanks also go to the Ministry of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises, Social Economy and Handicrafts (MINPMEESA), the City Mayor, officials, jury members, mentors, and partners who supported this journey, as well as every YCD member who contributed along the way.
This funding is both an opportunity and a responsibility to strengthen our solution and reach more farmers.
Congratulations, YCD! The work continues.
Njobeka Boris
Representative of YCD – YCD Farmer Guide Project
Environmental Impact of the Year Award
CYECD 2026 CYES & Awards.
Celebrating the people behind the journey
Youths & Contemporary Development (YCD) is honoured to receive the Environmental Impact of the Year Award at the CYECD 2026 CYES & Awards.
This recognition is more than a trophy. It celebrates the young people and communities we serve, the volunteers who contribute their time and talents, and the partners and supporters who believe in our mission. We are especially grateful to everyone who supported us during the voting period through votes, shares, messages, and encouragement. Your support helped make this achievement possible.
We accept this award with gratitude and renewed responsibility. There is still much to do, and we remain committed to empowering young people, engaging communities, and developing practical solutions for a more sustainable future in Cameroon.
Although the award carries the YCD name, the journey belongs to everyone who has contributed to it.
August 2026
YCM CHALLENGE 2026
We're excited to share that YCD and the team behind the YCD Farmer Guide App were awarded Certificates of Achievement and Participation as finalists of the Sprint Phase of the YCM Challenge 2026.
This recognition reflects the power of young people using innovation and technology to solve real community challenges. The app supports farmers with agricultural guidance, climate-smart information, and accessible digital tools.
At YCD, youth empowerment means creating opportunities to learn, build, and create real-world impact. We're proud of our team's dedication and remain motivated to keep improving.
World Environment Day 2026
This World Environment Day reminds us that protecting our environment is about action, not just awareness. Young people in YCD's network made personal pledges to plant trees, protect nature, and adopt sustainable habits. These small commitments build toward a healthier future. At YCD, we believe empowering youth creates lasting change when they act, they become part of the solution. Today, we celebrate their greener future.
June 2026
"Growing Green: YCD Volunteers Plant Hope at Mboa Hub"
YCD Cameroon volunteers recently joined fellow young changemakers at Mboa Hub, Yaoundé, to create an ecological garden aimed at promoting climate action and expanding the local green footprint.
The initiative brought community members together for hands-on environmental action, transforming the space into something greener, healthier, and more welcoming for all.
May 2026
Green Champions: Youth Leadership for a Sustainable Cameroon
February 2026
As Cameroon’s 60th Youth Week ends, I reflect not only as a teacher, but as a mentor inspired by the next generation of leaders.
At GBHS Obala, students nurtured avocado seedlings symbols of hope, responsibility, and Cameroon’s future. Their efforts remind us that real change begins locally, through young people committed to protecting the environment.
Through Youths & Contemporary Development (YCD), we are building a nationwide movement of Green Champions one classroom, one tree, one recycled bottle, and one grafted branch at a time.
Youth Week may be over, but the mission continues. Cameroon’s future depends on committed young leaders.
Celebrating Women’s Leadership Across Generations
March 2026
From young girls beginning their leadership journeys to older women whose wisdom strengthens our communities, every woman has the power to create meaningful change.
At Youths and Contemporary Development (YCD) Cameroon, we celebrate women’s contributions in education, entrepreneurship, community service, and advocacy. Their achievements are shaping a brighter future for generations to come.
This International Women’s Day, we reaffirm our commitment to supporting, empowering, and amplifying the voices of women and girls every daynot only in celebration, but through meaningful action.
Celebrating International Education Day at GBHS
24 January 2026
YCD celebrated International Education Day under the theme “The Power of Youth in Co‑Creating Education.” The team engaged over 60 students at GBHS Obala as Green Champions, guiding them through an interactive day of learning and action.
Students explored environmental sustainability through PLAN (Play, Learn, Act Now) cards, practiced creative plastic recycling for gardening, and received hands‑on training in fruit tree grafting using avocados.
Reimagining Agriculture Through Youth Innovation
February 2026
Across Cameroon, smallholder farmers face daily challenges such as unpredictable weather, plant diseases, post-harvest losses, and limited access to reliable information. But what if data and technology could change that?
Thanks to YCD's Farmer Guide App, a youth-led, mobile-first innovation designed to transform how farmers grow, sell, and adapt. Built by passionate young Cameroonians, this app turns smartphones into powerful agricultural tools.
What makes it special?
Instantly spots crop diseases using your phone camera.
Hyper-Local Weather Alerts
24/7 guidance on sustainable farming in local languages.
Connects farmers directly to buyers and storage.
Fosters peer learning and climate-smart solutions.
Designed for basic smartphones and offline use, it ensures no farmer is left behind even in remote areas.
But beyond the tech, it’s about young Africans using innovation to tackle food insecurity and climate change head‑on, creating jobs and hope in the process.
Enhancing Team Spirit Through Volunteer Coordination
The Inspiring Leadership of Ndiforkangoh Marouf Kenyui
Under the dedicated coordination of Ndiforkangoh Marouf Kenyui, members of the Environmental Club at Lycée d’Obala have brought creativity, teamwork, and community spirit to life through a school beautification project. Assigned the task of organizing the work, Marouf demonstrated commendable leadership in mobilizing his classmates and guiding the project from planning to near completion.
Earlier in the week, Marouf held discussions with his classmates, seeking three to five volunteers to stay after school on Wednesday to complete the remaining tasks. With enthusiasm and clear direction, he encouraged teamwork by emphasizing preparation humorously saying they would “sharpen their lives” to make the work easier.
Marouf’s plan involved adding two new tyres to the two already decorated, arranging all four tyres in a circle, and planting cocoa seedlings inside them. He also outlined a plan to document each stage of the project with photographs and videos, ensuring transparency and recording the team’s progress.
By midweek, the volunteer effort had grown beyond expectation. Instead of five, about ten to twelve students joined the initiative, with four to five actively working nonstop to complete the project. The team’s energy and dedication surpassed their initial goals, they managed to decorate and arrange more tyres than planned, guided by spontaneous creativity and teamwork.
Despite the physical demands, the group remained determined, transforming challenges into collective success. As Marouf proudly reported, “It was tough, but we overcame the difficulties in our own way.” The resulting design is a noticeable improvement over previous efforts, making the school environment more appealing and vibrant.
This initiative, carried out under the Environmental Club at Lycée d’Obala, strongly aligns with the objectives of YCD. YCD emphasizes youth empowerment, environmental stewardship, and active participation in community improvement. Through practical teamwork and creative problem-solving, Marouf and his team demonstrated YCD’s mission of nurturing responsible young leaders who take initiative to transform their surroundings. The project not only enhanced the school’s appearance but also cultivated values of service, unity, and shared responsibility among students, all central pillars of YCD’s vision.
The project now moves into its final phase: painting the tyres and decorating with bottles, a finishing touch that will complete the transformation. Thanks to Marouf’s leadership, the commitment of the Environmental Club members, and the support of YCD’s vision, this volunteer project stands as a model of initiative, collaboration, and youth-driven community development.
22 January 2026
YCD Showcases Solar Bag Innovation at the Global Health System Solutions Youth Challenge 2025
21 November 2025
Youths & Contemporary Development (YCD) was proudly represented at the Global Health System Solutions Youth Innovation Challenge 2025 in Bafoussam, West Region. Out of more than 200 applicants, we were shortlisted among the top 40 projects for the pitching phase in the West Region.
On 19–20 November, our team had the exciting opportunity to exhibit our innovative solution designed to reimagine rural education and improve learning outcomes for underserved communities. These two days were highly inspiring and strengthened our commitment to building inclusive and equitable access to education through our solar bag initiative.
This was also a great opportunity for the team led by Fodieng Emmanuel Patrick, our Regional Coordinator for the West Region, to showcase YCD’s work, connect with other young innovators, and learn from experts in health, technology, and social impact.
This milestone marks an important step in our vision for Cameroonian youth empowerment, sustainable development, and meaningful contributions to clean energy and education for all.
Thank you to Global Health System Solutions and all partners for creating this platform for youth-led innovation.
Turning Plastic Waste into Opportunity
Why Recycling Bottles in Yaoundé and Douala Matters for Public Health and Green Jobs
Recycling plastic bottles in Yaoundé and Douala is urgently needed to address the mounting plastic pollution threatening both cities. Cameroon produces around 600,000 tonnes of plastic waste each year, much of it from single-use bottles discarded in streets, drains, and waterways. This waste blocks drainage systems, causing deadly floods and spreading disease, while also harming the environment and public health. Despite government bans on single-use plastics, enforcement remains weak and recycling rates are low. Initiatives led by local organizations and youth groups have shown that collecting and recycling bottles not only cleans the cities but also creates jobs, reduces carbon emissions, and provides raw materials for new products. Expanding plastic bottle recycling in Yaoundé and Douala is essential for a cleaner, healthier future and for empowering communities to take charge of their environment.
Rooted in the Forest, Growing for the Future
How Sustainable Farming Strengthens Baka Livelihoods and Heritage in Eastern Cameroon
Sustainable farming is increasingly vital for the Baka people in the East region of Cameroon as they adapt to life beyond traditional hunter-gathering. With deforestation and land loss limiting access to ancestral forests, many Baka communities now rely on agriculture for food and income. Embracing sustainable techniques such as agroforestry and organic farming helps protect soil, conserve biodiversity, and ensure long-term food security. These methods also allow the Baka to diversify crops and maintain their cultural connection to the land while facing environmental and social pressures. Sustainable farming empowers the Baka to strengthen their livelihoods and preserve their unique heritage for future generations
21 October 2025
Empowering the Next Generation of Green Farmers!
20 October 2025
YCD is proud to continue its collaboration with Oceanix Recovery, strengthening our shared commitment to green energy, sustainable agriculture, and youth development.
Together, we’re contributing to the creation of a Farmers’ Guide App a digital field companion designed to support producers from the very first stage of production. The app will help farmers minimize losses, improve quality, and adopt climate‑smart practices for a more resilient agricultural future.
From crop planning and soil preparation to pest management, post‑harvest handling, and quality control, the app offers practical, step‑by‑step guidance and real-time support. By helping users identify challenges early and take informed action, it aims to stabilize incomes, reduce waste, and make sustainable farming more attractive for young people.
At YCD, we believe technology and youth innovation go hand in hand in driving a sustainable future for agriculture and we’re proud to be part of this transformative journey.
Representing Open Dreams at COP29 Simulation
October 2023
The annual youth-led climate conference COP29 Simulation took place at the prestigious British University in Cairo, Egypt, bringing together over 130 passionate young delegates from more than 45 countries. This global forum provided a platform for youth voices to engage meaningfully on one of the most pressing challenges of our time: climate change.
We are exceptionally proud of our very own Open Dreams flag bearer, Ndum Albert, Managing Director who made a remarkable impression at this international gathering. Beyond his outstanding work as a program facilitator, Albert is deeply committed to community empowerment and environmental protection. His unique initiative with the Barka (indigenous) people of Cameroon’s East Region focuses on self-development and eco-sustainability a project he holds close to his heart and continues to expand with great dedication.
The latest news on green energy highlights significant progress and investment, particularly in Cameroon and Central Africa. In June 2025, the European Union launched the “I’ve Got the Power” campaign in Cameroon, reinforcing a shared commitment to clean, accessible, and reliable energy.
Use of green energy
Cameroon’s energy landscape is rapidly evolving, with new solar and hydropower projects playing a pivotal role in shaping a sustainable future.
Sustainable future
Decentralized solar energy is rapidly transforming access to electricity in remote Cameroonian communities, where less than 25% of rural residents have reliable power