About Us

A story of how a Religious Brother in Uganda has Mentored young people in Charity to care for our common home. Looking back on a decade since Laudato Si’ was released, Laudato Youth see Pope Francis’ message as more than an ecological teaching but a call to life-changing action that brings together faith, culture, ecological science, and justice for future generations

United for Climate Action

Brother Adolf Mugume, C.S.C., talked to Vatican Radio about the initiative’s efforts in translating Pope Francis’ call into concrete action emulating the example of the Uganda Martyr St. Adolf. Under his mentorship, LYI has mentored youth to embody the principles of Laudato Si’ — integrating faith, culture, science, and local community values into climate action and his role in mobilizing and mentoring youth leaders who see integral ecology as a value and a path to nurturing moral values and living their as a faith responsibility that fosters caring for creation as an expression of love for God and neighbour to build a kingdom of justice and peace from our grassroots communities and institutions.

Mission Statement – Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI)

Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI) is committed to inspiring and empowering communities—especially young people—to care for our common home by raising awareness about climate change and environmental conservation. Grounded in Catholic Social Teaching and inspired by Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’, we promote ecological justice, civic education, and sustainable development through advocacy, media engagement, and community-based action, advancing the Sustainable Development Goal of Climate Action for a just and sustainable future.

Vision Statement – Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI)

To nurture a generation of environmentally conscious, morally upright and faith-driven stewards of the future ready to use their leadership talents with commitment to protect our common home, to unite for climate action and promote ecological justice, and building sustainable communities in Uganda and beyond.

Sustainability

LYI’s sustainability is rooted in its grassroots, faith-based model, which imparts lifelong values among the Youth in Laudato Si’ Clubs. These clubs offer lifelong values to the youth who will themselves be the change they want to see in the future.

Furthermore, the spiritual accompaniment of the Laudato Si Action platform enhances mission in the church as we look forward to partnerships that can enhance our mission and vision and support us in moving forward even stronger.

By integrating our mission into educational and Church structures and institutions, LYI ensures continued relevance, growth, and grassroots impact. Our youth-driven service secures the future of young people in alignment with our Country’s motto: For God and My Country.

Kahwa Benard

Executive Director

Fr. Apire Berry, CSC

LYI Chaplain

Sarah Kirikuwino

Laudato Si Clubs President

Immaculate Kisembo

Program Manager

Br. (Dr.) Benard Omukuyia, CSC

Research Advisory

Br. Adolf Mugume, CSC

LYI - Mentor

LYI brings a new
African-engrained Perspective

with the formation of Laudato Si’ Clubs where Faith Meets Action. To operationalize its vision, Laudato youth leaders form and mentor Laudato Si’ Clubs across Uganda — in schools, parishes, dioceses, universities, and local communities as their implementation arm.

Laudato Youth Initiative Modeling practical solutions for climate conservation.

The demands for practical models to address climate change are increasing each passing day. The weather extremes have continued due to human activities, particularly the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. The evidence that humans are causing climate change, with drastic consequences for life on the planet, is overwhelming. Addressing climate change will require many solutions—and there’s no magic bullet and one-fits-all solution.

LSAP 2025 Annual report highlighted the Laudato Youth Initiative

Youth who heard the cry of the Earth

In Uganda, a network of students are proving that leadership doesn’t require a large office—just conviction and creativity. From a one-room base in Kampala, they ’ve mobilized thousands of students and parish volunteers to plant over one million trees,
establish Laudato Si’ Clubs, and pioneer eco-innovation across East Africa, from solar technology to community storytelling.
Read their full story

Uniting for Climate Action is the Answer. Sustainability is the Message.

Adaptability is the Path Forward.

The Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI) is dedicated to empowering young people to forge a climate-resilient future. We believe that by uniting our efforts in our Laudato Si Clubs in schools, Universities, Dioceses, and communities, we can model the way toward effective climate action and create meaningful responses to the challenges posed by climate change. Join us in this vital mission.

How We Do It

Our mission centers on responding to the message of the Encyclical Laudato Si, the Catholic Social Teachings, filling the knowledge gap of our country’s environmental laws, creating a synergy with SDGs, especially 13- Call to Action, by uniting youth with mentors to build a sustainable future for all. We strive to mentor and inspire a generation of stewards for the future who are equipped to tackle climate change head-on while modeling the way.

Impact and Reach:

– 16+ Laudato Si Clubs in schools, Universities, Dioceses, and communities – Raising voices to Chapter one of the Encyclical Laudato Si (What is happening to our Common Home?) Sharing stories to change the narrative, leading the way to highlighting Climate Change issues and adopting mitigation and adaptation approaches to Uganda’s key environmental challenges. – 16+ Regions across Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania – 10,000+ participants in our programs

Our history

The Laudato Youth Initiative was launched during the COVID-19 pandemic to give hope and inspire climate action, initially focusing on media outreach to community engagement by filling the knowledge gap. In 2022, we enhanced our awareness programs and expanded to in-person programs through forming Laudato Si Clubs in Schools, Universities, Dioceses, and communities, to foster a culture of Sustainability, adaptation, and mitigation, while responding to an urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. We resonate deeply with the global vision for a sustainable future in SD13 (https://sdgs.un.org/goals).

Why Young People?

Uganda has a predominantly young population, with over 73.2% of its citizens under the age of 30. Specifically, 22.7% are aged 18-30, while more than half (50.5%) are under 17. Recognizing that young people comprise nearly half of the world’s population, we prioritize their empowerment as the stewards of today and the future. They are the most affected by climate change and possess the creativity, talent, and innovative spirit necessary to lead sustainable development initiatives to secure their future. Our Laudato Si clubs are primarily located in educational institutions, making them ideal for fostering forward-thinking and in communities for entrepreneurial skills in biodiversity restoration and smart agriculture.

Laudato Youth Initiative Today

Laudato Youth Initiative aims to mentor a climate-resilient generation that will transform society. We create a synergy between Catholic Church teachings on care for creation (including Laudato Si and Laudate Deum), Ugandan environmental laws, and work towards the achievement of the SDGs.

Launched in 2020 as a religious youth led initiative under the mentorship of Br. Adolf Mugume, C.S.C during the pandemic, and now led and managed by the youth themselves we have rapidly expanded our impact in Uganda and across the three East African countries, engaging numerous schools, universities, parishes, and communities. To date, over 10,000 young people have participated in our programs.

Media Impact

Our story has garnered international attention for its impactful initiatives:

The Tablet (Nov 29, 2024) Featured the Laudato Youth Initiative and our unique African perspective on the climate crisis.

Titled: The Laudato Youth Initiative brings a new African-engrained perspective

The international response to the climate crisis needs to bridge the gap between Cop summits and the experience of those who face its consequences. It must ignite hope for a climate-resilient generation – Br. Adolf Mugume (Mentor LYI) Read the article here (https://www.thetablet.co.uk/inspire/stewards-of-the-future/).

John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre (Dec 4, 2024): Highlighted our collaboration with local youth to promote environmental awareness through nature walks. Read more (https://jp2jpc.org/jpiijpc-and-laudato-youth-initiative-promote-environmental-awareness/).
Jubilee Radio (Jan 20, 2025): We pioneered sharing the good news of the Jubilee Year, the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si, and shared our Theme “Pilgrims of Green Hope,” but also discussed the connection between the Jubilee Year and sustainable living, addressing environmental issues exacerbated by human activities.

While the jubilee year is one of the opportunities for us to renew our commitment and care for creation, human activities are exacerbating climate change. The destruction of wetlands and poor drainage channeling contributes a lot to flooding in most parts of the Country, while poor garbage disposal is also on the rise. When it rains, many urban dwellers release their waste into runoff water (especially in plastic bags). Much of it ends up blocking the already overwhelmed channels. The persistent droughts are a result of tampering with biodiversity and other toxic human activities. Listen here (https://youtu.be/S0j7R-k6nyM?si=iQ4_r6jM0Chaj6LQ).

Laudato Si’ Action Platform (March 20, 2024): The Laudato Si’ Action Platform is an initiative of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, which was established by Motu Proprio by Pope Francis in 2016. Reflected on how the Laudato Youth Initiative is responding to Laudato Si with tangible solutions across Uganda. Featured a story titled: How a Ugandan Catholic Youth-Led Initiative is Responding to Laudato Si. Across Uganda, young people are leading the charge in climate action, blending faith with tangible solutions. From schools and universities to dioceses, these youth are pioneering sustainability projects that extend beyond borders, now reaching Kenya and Tanzania. At the heart of this effort is the Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI), a dynamic force housed at the John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre in Uganda’s capital, Kampala. Though operating from a modest one-room office, LYI coordinates a vast network of passionate young leaders committed to ecological transformation. They Reported “True Change comes from within the community,” – Said Br. Adolf By involving local churches, leaders, and families, we ensure our initiatives are more than just temporary interventions – they become part of the Community’s way of life. Read the full article (https://laudatosiactionplatform.org/how-a-ugandan-catholic-youth-led-initiative-is-responding-to-laudato-si/).
Vatican News (March 30, 2025): Vatican Radio Hosted the Laudato Youth Initiative Mentor to Reflect on the 10th Anniversary of Laudato Si.
Laudato Si is the first papal encyclical dedicated entirely to environmental care. It calls for an “integral ecology” that respects human dignity and the natural world. The encyclical connects environmental issues to economic inequality, social injustice, and spiritual emptiness, calling for a global response that involves political reform, ethical reflection, and lifestyle transformation. In his message, our mentor highlighted how this papal document significantly influenced the UN Climate Summit (COP21) in Paris in 2015, shaping global conversations leading up to the summit. Global faith leaders, including Catholic bishops and interfaith networks, advocated for strong climate action at COP21, using the document as a foundation for their efforts. The Laudato Youth Initiative has also reflected on the outcomes of COP summits, with last year’s Cop 29 reflection in the Tablet Magazine publishing a story titled “Stewards of the Future” Highlighting its message clearly that the international response to the climate crisis needs to bridge the gap between Cop summits and the experience of those who face its consequences. It must ignite hope for a climate-resilient generation.

Uniting Youth for Climate Action

Our activities and programs focus on responding to climate change through clubs in schools, universities and dioceses. Our main activities are tree planting & green zone creation, climate education, Laudato Si training/seminars, and sustainable environmental projects.

The growing concern about the ecological crisis prompted the Laudato youth initiative. We were quite sad to witness several environmental abuses in our communities during the 2020 Covid-19 lockdown. The changing weather patterns have intensified the sadness and concern due to the increased frequency of extreme weather events like drought, floods, mudslides, social and economic impacts that make communities vulnerable.

Planting More Trees

We Love & Care for Creation

Laudato Youth Initiative: Empowering Young Minds for a Greener, Sustainable Future

Green. That’s how we’d like the world to be.

Young people should be given an opportunity to develop the knowledge and skills they need to build a sustainable future. Laudato Youth Initiative Unites, Inspires Action, Empowers, Fosters Mindset Change and builds the capacity of the youth to work with elders and address climate change for a better future.

You Must Be the Change You Wish to See in the World and More

Who is Laudato Youth Initiative?

Laudato Youth Initiative (LYI) is a non-profit Youth led organization based in Uganda that promotes climate through uniquely societal tailored conservational programmes. Laudato Youth Initiative was born out of the realization that young people can play a big role in solving the growing concern of climate change impact that has become a big threat to livelihood and sustainability of communities in Uganda.

Where are you located?

Laudato Youth Initiative is located in St John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre building on Nsereko Road Nsambya, Kampala-Uganda.

Where does Laudato Youth Initiative operate

Laudato Youth Initiative operates in East Africa covering Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania

How are they different from Laudato Si Movement

Laudato Youth Initiative is focuses mainly on young people whom we mobilize to take action in solving climate issues.

How can get involved?

We work with anyone who has passion for conserving environment. We believe in united actions. We welcome people of all categories who have passion for environment.

Laudato Youth Initiative Club of Nyakasura

Dear humanity

Where has our integrity gone?
We’ve traded it away for the insatiable greed of quantity,
Forgetting the essence of quality.
Look around—what have we done?
We’ve sacrificed our dignity,
All for a mentality that has become our harsh reality.