In Burundi’s Nyenkarange hills, Blue Schools are turning students into leaders of environmental change. With support from NBD's Burundi National Discourse Forum (BNDF), young people are learning to protect biodiversity, improve hygiene, and manage natural resources sustainably. The initiative shows how empowering youth can transform schools, communities, and the future.

"The students didn't know how to contribute to managing natural resources. They didn't understand the importance of trees or cleanliness in their environment", recalls a teacher from Nyenkarange School, describing the situation before the BNDF intervened. In the hills of Nyenkarange, Mpanda commune, what was once a community facing deforestation and environmental neglect has transformed into a model of youth-led conservation.

Before BNDF's intervention, the 913 students at Nyenkarange I and II Fundamental Schools had minimal understanding of biodiversity, natural resource management, or environmental legislation. Trees were cut without replanting, school sanitation was poor, and deforestation advanced rapidly. Operating on the principle that "he who educates the youth prepares a better future", BNDF partnered with a local association Dufashanye Dufashanye Barundi and Duteribiti to launch a biodiversity preservation project.

From July 30-31, 2025, BNDF conducted intensive training for 30 students (16 boys and 14 girls) from environmental club, accompanied by four teachers. The training covered natural resource management, biodiversity preservation, hygiene and sanitation including the Blue School concept, Burundi's environmental codes, animal stabilization, and fruit tree maintenance. On October 27, 2025, BNDF provided essential tools including hoes, pickaxes, machetes/pangas, watering cans, scrapers, and dignity kits for girls to integrate ecological actions into daily school life.

Students participate in a training session on natural resource and biodiversity management, school hygiene and sanitation, and the Blue School approach (left); members of the school environmental clubs following a sensitisation session on natural resource and biodiversity management (right).

The school headteacher enthusiastically appreciated: "Thanks to this training supported by BNDF, our school is becoming a true Blue School. The fruit and agroforestry trees we planted will provide shade for studying, improve hygiene, and feed our students. The fruits sold will help finance school needs."

Guides distributed by BNDF to the school's environmental club (left), alongside the distribution of learning materials and dignity kits to girls during the outreach (right).

The impact has rippled beyond school walls. One mother shared, "After the training, our children remind us about the importance of cleanliness and encourage us to restore natural resources."

While funding constraints limited training to only 30 of the 913 enrolled students, BNDF hopes to extend and scale up this initiative to other schools. "With more funding, we could reach other schools and further strengthen local capacities," said the BNDF coordinator. By placing youth at the heart of environmental protection, BNDF has planted seeds for a greener future.

Today, these students are not only learners but also ambassadors of nature, proving that when youth take action, nature breathes and the future brightens.

Group photo of  the school environmental club members following the raining on natural resource conservation and biodiversity management.