Laudato Youth Initiative

We are uniting to plant one Million Indigenous and Fruit Trees that have double effect from environmental to food security and socio-economic benefits.

1 Million Tree Planting Drive

Laudato Youth Initiative participates
in the "Resilient Africa Summit "
Organised by the Vatican

LYI Green Festival 2025, Eco Exhibitions on Climate Smart Agriculture, and Innovations in Recycling, Organic farming, Solar Energy, & Plastic Management.

Laudato Si Green Festival

Laudato Si' Green festival

Our Laudato Si Club of St. Adolf Parish has a trees of reconciliation garden. A parish space set apart to encounter God in prayer and reflecting with through creation.

Green open air Masses

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During the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si in Uganda, we joined other faith based organisations to form a consortium and pledged to eliminate single use plastics.

Consortium dedicated to
Ecological justice in Uganda

Sarah shares more

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Wetlands are not wastelands. They are the lungs of our land, purifying water, controlling floods, protecting biodiversity, and sustaining livelihoods. In Uganda, they feed our communities, nurture our climate, and hold sacred value in our ecosystem.

Raising voices 2 protect wetlands

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Our President of the Laudato Si Clubs participating in the Youth Adaptation Forum organized by the Global Center on Adaptation, engaged in panel discussions to amplify voices of the youth and their adaptation strategies for sustainable growth that LYI and its clubs are implementing in institutions and communities where we serve.

Climate Adaptation Network

Laudato Youth share their talent during the green Mass at the Laudato Si Green Festival in Jinja where Hundreds of young people gathered in prayer and action to Rally their support for Environmental Action.

Care for the Creation Mass

We are integrating environmental education in our Laudato Si Clubs, encompassing formal learning, public awareness, hands-on action activities with communities envisioned to be a transformative process that empowers our Laudato Youth to unlock their capabilities in inspiring climate action.

Hands-on Climate Education

We believe planting is building a nest for birds, reducing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere to release oxygen. They also help us to reduce our carbon footprint and limit global warming, providing for a cleaner, healthier environment. This must be everyones responsibility.

Why plant Trees in schools

Mentorship and training of Club Leaders

We convened at the Bethany Land Institute to address the intertwined challenges of Integral Ecology and Integral Human Development, marking the 10th anniversary of Pope Francis's Laudato Si' Our Laudato Youth Leaders Benard and Sarah presented the Laudato Si Clubs Model and our digital story telling approach to change the narrative.

Laudato Si Africa Conference

Igniting hope for the future

World Cleanup Day, reminds us that we are facing a growing crisis of textile waste, combined with plastic pollution, poor sanitation, deforestation, and unsafe waste burning. Landfills are overflowing, drainage systems are blocked, and smoke from garbage fires fills the air we breathe. Young people let us raise against pollution in all its forms

Communities Building Resilience

Proper Waste Management

"Ecological conversion, like any experience of conversion, is a spiritual event with visible, concrete repercussions." - Sr. Alessandra Smerilli It involves a profound transformation of one's perspective, values, and behaviors, leading to more sustainable and responsible stewardship of the Earth and its resources.

Vatican Laudato Si Press

Igniting hopr for the Future

Laudato Youth engaging in an interactive puzzle that uses cards to illustrate the causes and effects of climate change. Participants collaborate to arrange these cards, starting with the root causes and connecting them to their far-reaching impacts.

Our Laudato Si Clubs

We use the media to fill the knowledge gap all our activities foster faith and Ecology as Fr. Alberto Ravagnati put it "incorporating the theme of caring for Creation into youth ministry is essential for shaping the faith of future generations."

Digital Storytelling

Read full Pope's Message

Mentoring Laudato Si clubs

Building Climate Resilience

Innovating for Sustainable Agriculture

Laudato Si Clubs

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Regions in Uganda

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Youth in institutions

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Youth in communities

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Laudato Si’ Turns 10: Where is Africa? Cardinal Turkson Plants a Tree, Calls for Ecological Conversion

Ten Years After Laudato Si’: Where is Africa? Cardinal Turkson Plants a tree at the end of the Laudato Si Africa Conference where he said emphasized ” Earth is a divine gift, but human behavior is turning it into a wilderness and a desert,” – We must embrace ecological citizenship and educate all people to live in harmony with creation.

Uganda stands at a critical environmental crossroads, one marked by climate threats that demand urgent, coordinated, and locally grounded solutions. At the heart of this transformation is a growing initiative led by young people who are stepping up with conviction and commitment. Through the Laudato Youth Initiative, many young leaders are inspiring action via their Laudato Si’ Clubs institution that merge faith-based environmental stewardship, scientific innovation, advocacy, and grassroots mobilization.

Laudato Youth Building Pathways to Climate Resilience in Uganda

With ONLY Five Years Left, Laudato Youth Initiative Intensifies Climate Action in view of attaining (SDGs) for Sustainability and Resilience in Uganda

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Laudato Youth Initiative Advocating for Ecological Conversion - Pilgrims of Green Hope.

In today’s connected world, digital media has become a vital space where young people live out and share their faith. From participating in online prayer activities, streaming Mass, and engaging with Catholic content on social platforms, to using storytelling, podcasts, and short videos to advocate for social justice, creation care, and spiritual growth, the younger generation is transforming digital media into a vibrant mission territory

Digital tools offer young people opportunities not just for communication, but for evangelization, community building, and faith formation. Awareness of how they navigate this space helps the Church better understand their needs, accompany them effectively, and empower them to be creative, ethical, and impactful digital missionaries. Here we are with our commitment to SDG 13 and 2

Poetry for Unity in Humanity and ecological conversation

Our Laudato Youth compose poems that express humanity’s yearning and need for ecological conversion. 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.

Our Laudato Si Club at Nyakasura School in fort portal joining hands with the Natural Resources Defence Initiative (NRDI), an initiative focused on community-based environmental conservation to employ a community-based model, working with community leaders, local government, and educational institutions to implement sustainable strategies.

On National Tourism Day the club took to the lush trails of the Rwenzori Mountains National Park, in a purposeful Green Walk to Karangura Peak. There they met with communities and acknowledged the need to take on our responsibility for environmental stewardship through clubs likes ours to promote ecosystem restoration, sustainable farming, and reforestation.

Jubilee Year - Pilgrims of Hope

Laudato Youth Initiative and Bethany Lands Institute bringing the African Engrained perspective of Laudato Si

In May, Pope Francis unveiled the theme for the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025:"Pilgrims of Hope" (Spes non Confundit – Hope Does Not Disappoint). This theme encourages everyone to embody hope and share it with others amidst the challenges and uncertainties of life. We are all invited to be part of this extraordinary year focused on faith and hope, where justice and peace are paramount. Let us nurture the seeds of hope and love for both God and Creation.

Laudato Youth Initiative Announces Jubilee Year

2025 Theme: “Pilgrims of Green Hope”

John Paul II Justice and Peace Centre Kampala, Uganda – 16th Dec 2024 – The Laudato Youth Initiative is thrilled to announce its theme for the upcoming Jubilee Year 2025, titled “Pilgrims of Green Hope.” This year-long initiative aims to enhance climate action across Uganda and beyond by integrating faith, science, and ecology, inspired by the encyclical Laudato Si’ Laudate Deum, SDG 13, Catholic Social Teaching on the environment and Ugandan environmental laws.

Our Club’s President honored at the National Girl Child Championship Awards.

Uganda commemorates the International Day of the Girl Child every year on October 11th. As part of this celebration, Kaleke Kasome and its partners organize the National Girl Championship Awards. A ceremony took place on October 10th every year in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Labor, and Social Development, and the SDG (Sustainable Development Goals) Secretariat within the Office of the Prime Minister, to honor girls who have made a significant impact in society and our nation.

Focusing on Solutions within our Reach

to Combat Climate Change

Let us focus on solutions within our reach to solve the problem of climate change debate. Our activities and programs are focused on inspiring climate action through advancing climate change solutions that respond to the problems of our society and communities through our through Laudato Si Clubs in Schools, Universities, Parishes, Dioceses and Communities. Listen to the voices and reflect on the work of Laudato Youth who voluntarily unite to take action for future generations

A key aspect of Laudato Youth's efforts is tree planting

The planting of indigenous and fruit trees because they are crucial for maintaining ecosystem balance and biodiversity while also serving as valuable sources of essential nutrients for food security. By engaging in tree planting initiatives like our current One Million Tree Planting Drive, we contribute to poverty alleviation, sustainable development, and mitigation of natural disasters like floods through rain formation and water absorption.

We emphasize the importance of service learning in our clubs

because it enhances the intergation and connectedness giving greater insights to practical intergral ecology, expereince learning and teaching, open avenues to bold steps in research, science and innovation inspiring community out reach programs for realia, smart gardening, etc, We educate club members on sustainable waste management practices that benefit both the environment and the community. Engage in debates and symposiums to expand their knowledge.

Eliminate single use plastics

By following the dos and don’ts. Compose all organic waste from your home, institution, or business and use it to start your home smart garden.

Separate your material

NO mixing material waste, some are recyclable, and others can be re-used. Use recyclable bags for shopping and embrace the 3Rs (reuse, recycling, and reduce)

Do NOT Dump Plastics

Dispose of hard plastics, Glass, or any other Material well to safeguard the environment and avoid contaminating the soil as it reduces its productivity. The soil is the food basket that feeds us. A plastic free environment begins with me!

Laudato Youth are planting "Laudato Si Forests and Gardens in institutions

Plant a fruit or indigenous tree to support the ecosystem and biodiversity. It is aalso one way to reduce your Carbon Footprint. Other ways can be; reducing your energy consumption and go Solar, say no to charcoal burning make smart solutions that last, talk less, and do more, avoid the blame game but play the action game, give up your excessive plastic consumption habit and invest in making recyclable material and Join the laudato youth initiative to amplify voices for creation care.

Make a life-long commitment to climate action.

Reduce your Carborn Footprint and the Carbon footprint of your (family, – do something about the 3rs, Organisation, – considers climate action for your co operate social responsebility, Institution , Church – read and intergrate Laudato Si and Country – by complying to the environmental laws. Let us embrace solutions with in our means, and avoid the BLAME GAME but play the ACTION game. Unite with others for action. The World is counting on you!

The future of our young people is in your hands. Let us make a difference together Be part of our impactful youth community. If you can imagine it, we can grow it here.

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.

LYI 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

Premio
San Giovanni Paolo II AWard

The “Premio San Giovanni Paolo II” award is a unique recognition of those who, in their work, continue the spiritual and scientific heritage of Saint John Paul II, promoting his ideas internationally thanks to which they contribute to the development of the human family.

JP2JPC Wins John Paul II Vatican Foundation Award

Recognition by Saint John Paul II

Exploring Faith and Ecology through the Witness of the Uganda Martyrs and the Example of St. Adolf Mukasa Ludigo

Address by Bishop Joseph Anthony Zziwa, President of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, at the symposium commemorating 60 years since the canonization of the Uganda Martyrs, inviting us to reflect on The Martyr Ecology Relationship.

The Laudato Youth Initiative looks to St. Adolf Mukasa Ludigo, Patron of Herdsmen and Farmers, as its patron, honoring his outstanding example in caring for creation. He is the St. Francis of Uganda. He inspires our understanding of integral ecology

News & Articles

Discover the latest updates, insightful articles, and inspiring stories on environmental sustainability and laudato youth action response. Stay informed and empowered to make a meaningful impact on our planet.