Changemakers Program

Changemakers Summit in Kenya, January 2024
Changemakers Summit in Kenya, January 2024 / Photo: James Ndirangu

Changemakers Program

  • Our Objective

    The Changemakers Program is a hands-on, six-month training program co-designed with and for youth from Kenya, Madagascar, Peru, and Switzerland. It equips them with transferable skills and knowledge to drive positive change in their communities. The program is closely aligned both thematically and geographically with the Regional Stewardship Hubs, complementing and contributing to local youth empowerment.

  • Figures

    The project was launched on June 1, 2023 and is currently in progress.

Summary

In 2023, the Wyss Academy launched its Changemakers Program: this training program empowers and equips young people from Kenya, Peru, Madagascar and Switzerland to play leading roles in fostering sustainable development. 

Participants develop and implement their own local community projects and learn what it takes to succeed in policy advocacy and entrepreneurship. Through this, they gain transferable skills and knowledge to drive positive change in human-nature relationships within their communities.  

Building networks is another important focus of the program. Several Changemakers have showcased their innovative projects, insights, and the program itself at national events in their respective countries. Since its launch in June 2023, the program has welcomed 60 participants from four countries.

External stakeholders: Emzingo Group–LLC, Goodwall SA, Aiducation International, Nature Explorers Peru, Youth First Madagascar & Impact Kenya.

Project Connections

Timeline

  • A diplomatic setting for Madagascar’s forests: voices meet in Antananarivo

    News December 8, 2025

    Inside that setting, the dialogue brought together youth leaders from the Changemakers program, researchers from ESSA-Forêts at the University of Antananarivo, and representatives of government and civil society. The panel featured HE Ambassador Stefano Toscano; Mr. Rinah Razafindrabe, Director General for Environmental Governance at the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development; Dr Sarobidy Rakotonarivo, researcher and environmental socio-economist; and Mrs Ambinintsoa Ratsitoarison, founder and CEO of Ecococo.  The dialogue also included the participation of Rafanomezantsoa Michaël Manesimana, Minister of Environment and Sustainable Development, underscoring the conversation’s relevance for national priorities. Moderation by Dr. Ntsiva Andriatsitohaina (Wyss Academy for Nature) and Ms. Rebecca Andrianarisandy (Youth First) guided the exchange from rapid pitches to the panel, linking field experience, research, and policy questions. 

    Two people posing

  • Video impressions: Entrepreneurship Jumpstart Academy with Aiducation International

    Project Update December 3, 2025

    A in a brown sweater smiling

  • The 2025 Entrepreneurship Jumpstart Academy in Nairobi

    Project Update November 17, 2025

    Rooted in the belief that entrepreneurship can build both livelihoods and nations, the program offers youth access to the skills, mentorship, and networks they need to start their journey. This edition was particularly special: it marked the first collaboration between the Wyss Academy for Nature and Aiducation, uniting two networks of changemakers into one learning cohort and strengthening peer learning. In response to feedback from our Changemaker Program, the finance component was expanded to a full-day, hands-on session to deepen budgeting, key metrics, and investment readiness.  The focus aligns with our mission—enhancing youth entrepreneurship as part of building resilient livelihoods and scaling grounded insights across regions.  “The Academy was more than just a training; it was a chance to rediscover myself as an entrepreneur,” shared one participant. 

    People during a training

  • From strategy to storytelling

    Project Update October 6, 2025

    Elizabeth, Changemaker from Kenya, attending the 2025 Changemakers Program Welcome Day

  • Youth entrepreneurship for climate resilience in focus at UNGA roundtable

    News October 1, 2025

    Tatjana von Steiger drew on lessons from the Changemakers Program, piloted with Goodwall and partners in 2023. She pointed to the overwhelming interest in the program as evidence that young people are eager to shape sustainable futures. Yet she stressed that opportunities must go beyond job creation: Youth-led ventures rooted in nature and backed by science have the power to strengthen livelihoods and support ecosystem health.  Thanks to the program’s design – grounded in the landscapes where the Wyss Academy works – young participants gain practical skills. In Madagascar, for example, these are used to design business models to sustain information centers in the buffer zone of the Masoala national park.  

    Teilnehmende an der Diskussion am Runden Tisch.

  • From strategy to storytelling

    Project Update September 5, 2025

    Kenyan cohort, attending the Camel Caravan in Kenya

  • Building stronger foundations

    Project Update August 1, 2025

    Kheira, changemaker from Madagascar, holding a workshop

  • From insight to impact

    Project Update July 4, 2025

    Elizabeth, changemaker from Kenya, in the field

  • Learning to Lead Through Listening

    Project Update June 8, 2025

    Melarcia, changemaker from Madagascar, exploring surroundings

  • 2025 Reflections: What youth leadership looks like in practice

    Project Update May 14, 2025

    During a field immersion at Castaña Amazon Park, Changemakers traced the nut processing journey and spoke with local practitioners about quality, markets, and the everyday decisions that shape forest-based livelihoods and conservation outcomes.

Team