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ABOUT TOLUWALASE ABIONA DAYS FOUNDATION
ABOUT YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FELLOWSHIP (YCAF)
ABOUT CHANGEMAKERS FOR THE PLANET BY CHANGEMAKERS XCHANGE

ABOUT TOLUWALASE ABIONA DAYS FOUNDATION

1. Provide the following organization information:
a. Official organization name?

TOLUWALASE ABIONA DAYS FOUNDATION (TAD FOUNDATION)

b. Organization acronym or other name(s) commonly used if any?

TAD FOUNDATION/ Zero Plastic Straw Community (ZPSC)

c. Contact information including primary contact name, title, address and phone number?

Name: Toluwalase Abiona
Title: Miss
Address: 9, Babalola Street, Lawanson, Surulere.
Phone number: 09161709421

2. Describe your organization, your vision and mission, and what has been your organization’s impact so far?

Toluwalase Abiona Days Foundation is a youth-led non-profit organization dedicated to promoting environmental conservation and sustainable practices within a country. With a primary focus on Nigeria, T.A.D Foundation recognizes the urgent need to address environmental challenges and ensure a sustainable future for present and future generations.

Our Vision is of a Nigeria where communities live in harmony with nature, embracing sustainable practices that ensure the long-term preservation of our environment.

Our Mission is to promote environmental conservation and sustainable practices in Nigeria, through education, community engagement, and advocacy.

Zero Plastic Straw Community (ZPSC) is a subsidiary of Toluwalase Abiona Days Foundation. Since ZPSC’s inception in 2021, we have spearheaded 10 impactful projects and campaigns addressing plastic pollution issues in Nigeria. We recently hosted a Global fire summit on renewable energy solutions to address the climate challenges faced in local communities. We have removed 50 bags of waste from lagoons and beaches in Lagos, Nigeria. Our focus on educating, empowering and changing the behavior of young people towards the environment has been the force to remain resilient. We understand that young people can be changemakers in promoting environmental stewardship and that is why we have raised 600 environmental champions in Nigeria from ages 10 – 27years old within the last 30 months of existence and we groom 100 youth members of our community who are committed to environmental sustainability.

3. Have you partnered with the Mastercard Foundation before? If yes, please indicate the project name, year and brief description on what the project was about?

No, we have not partnered with Mastercard Foundation

ABOUT YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FELLOWSHIP (YCAF)

4. With regards to this pilot program, describe the objectives of the project you would like to undertake, the intended outcome, including the target participants, and overall duration in months. What are the need(s)/opportunity(ies) it addresses, and how will you go about addressing them?

Name of Project: YOUTH CLIMATE ACTION FELLOWSHIP (YCAF)

Project Summary
The Youth Climate Action Fellowship (YCAF) is an innovative project aimed at educating young Nigerians with limited knowledge about climate change and empowering them to take immediate action. Through comprehensive capacity building workshops and public awareness campaigns, YCAF seeks to foster a new generation of climate and environmental advocates in Nigeria.

YCAF will also train linguistics teachers on effectively communicating climate change concepts in local languages, thereby expanding the reach of climate education across communities. YCAF aims to recruit and support 20 fellows from the participating youths and linguistics teachers who will implement individual climate projects in their communities

YCAF GOALS AND INTENDED OUTCOME

- To educate 100 young Nigerians with limited knowledge about climate change

- To train linguistic teachers on effectively communicating climate change concepts in local languages

- To empower 20 youths to implement individual climate projects in their communities

YCAF OBJECTIVES
A. Increase awareness and understanding of climate change among young people and linguistic teachers.
B. Equip participants with the knowledge and skills to take immediate action on climate change.
C. Foster community engagement and participation in climate change mitigation efforts.
D. Support the implementation of climate projects that address local environmental challenges.
Target Participants are youths and linguistic teachers from ages 15 – 30 years in Nigeria.

The opportunities YCAF addresses is in support of Sdg 5, 8, 13 & 15 and activities involved in addressing them include

SDG 5: Gender Equality
Activities: Inclusive participation, gender-sensitive training materials, leadership opportunities for women.
Impact: Empowerment of women and girls in climate action, reduction of gender disparities in environmental leadership.

SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
Activities: Online training sessions, provision of educational materials and capacity building activities.
Impact: Entrepreneurship DNA, creativity, innovation and decent job creation.

SDG 13: Climate Action
Activities: action projects, public awareness campaigns and community engagement.
Impact: Increased resilience against climate change, widespread adoption of sustainable practices among young people, increased sustainability businesses and products..

SDG 15: Life on Land
Activities: OReforestation projects, waste management initiatives, biodiversity conservation.
Impact: Restoration of degraded lands, enhanced biodiversity, sustainable ecosystem management.

YCAF is a 12 month project targeted at empowering young people

5. Is the above-proposed activity a new project or scaleup of an existing project?

It is a new project from Toluwalase Abiona Days Foundation

6. What are the key activities needed to implement your project with the associated timelines and milestones?

KEY ACTIVITIES

A. Educational Workshops: Conduct interactive sessions to educate young people and linguistic teachers on climate change science, impacts, and solutions.
B. Training Sessions: Provide specialized training to linguistic teachers on communicating climate change concepts effectively in local languages.
C. Public Awareness Campaigns: Organize outreach events and campaigns to raise awareness about climate change and promote sustainable practices.
D. Individual Climate Projects: Support participants in developing and implementing climate projects in their communities, focusing on areas such as waste management, renewable energy, and ecosystem restoration.
E. Selection and Support of Fellows: At the conclusion of the program, 20 fellows from the participating youths and teachers who have demonstrated exceptional dedication and commitment to climate action will be selected. These fellows will receive additional support and resources to implement their climate projects and conduct public awareness campaigns in their communities.

Timelines and Milestones

A. Capacity building & training : to occur within the first 5 months which includes
a. Recruitment and Selection of Participants – 7 weeks.
b. Trainers/facilitators development of materials & resources – 3 weeks
c. Open Ceremony – 2 days
d. Educational workshops and training sessions – 8 weeks
e. Evaluations and adjustments – 1 week

B. Awareness and Engagement: to occur in the 6th month
a. Production of awareness materials and group collaboration – 2 weeks.
b. Public Awareness Campaigns – 1 week.
c. Monitoring and Evaluation – 1 week

C. Implementation of Fellows Climate Project: to occur in the last 6 months of the project
a. Call for Climate projects among YCAF participants and top 20 projects – 6 weeks
b. Implementation of the top 20 climate projects by YCAF Fellows – 8 weeks
c. Monitor Project activities by Fellows – 4 weeks
d. Closing ceremony – 2 days
e. Project report – 4 weeks

7. Provide the overall budget to implement your project (in USD). Kindly use Oanda to make exchange rate conversion

The overall budget to implement YCAF is $30,000

8. What benefit will this project bring to your organization and the community?

Access to resources, networks and trainings that will amplify the foundation’s impact on climate action. We will be able to implement more effective strategies to address environmental challenges, particularly in undeserved communities. This fellowship will equip the TAD Foundation team with best practices and innovative solutions for addressing climate change, enhancing youth engagement and fostering grassroots climate resilience. It will empower the foundation to inspire more young leaders to drive positive environmental environmental actions and build sustainable future for the community.

As an addendum, please:

1. Provide a copy of the articles of incorporation or other registration documents.
The copy of the registration documents will be attached and sent to the mail.

2. List (in table format if possible) all Founders and Board of Director Members (if applicable)

Field	Details
Name (First Name and Surname):	Toluwalase Abiona
Role	Founder
Country of origin	Nigeria
Country of residence	Nigeria
Associated with Mastercard Foundation	No

3. Indicate if you have a Child and Youth Protection Policy? If no such policy exists, are you willing to adopt the Foundation’s Child and Youth Safeguarding Guidelines? (see attached policy and indicate Yes or No)
Yes

ABOUT CHANGEMAKERS FOR THE PLANET BY CHANGEMAKERS XCHANGE

Tell us a little about the problem you are trying to address, how your initiative addresses that, and what's unique about your approach

Zero Plastic Straw Community (ZPSC) is an initiative created to solve plastic pollution problems by creating awareness about the climate crisis and stopping the single use of plastic. We aim at eradicating pollution, especially single-use plastics, which brings solutions to Climate issues. (To be completed)

What are the three superpowers that you will bring to the CXC community?

The three superpowers that I will bring to the CDC community are Jovial spirit, Communicator, and Community engager.

Please summarise your impact to date.

Over the past 3 years, Zero Plastic Straw Community (ZPSC) has experienced remarkable growth with a dedicated team of 160 community members who share a passionate vision of a plastic-free future. ZPSC advocacy efforts have reached over 600 youths, inspiring them to take action and become champions of our precious planet, further solidifying their role in the global movement towards a sustainable and environmentally responsible world.

Website of your initiative(s).

https://zpsc.youcreate.website/about-us/

If available, social media URLs of your initiative(s).

Instagram
Youtube
TikTok
X(formerly Twitter)

How does your initiative fit under 'action to address the triple planetary crisis' (climate change, biodiversity loss, air pollution)?

Zero Plastic Straw Community (ZPSC) directly addresses the triple planetary crisis by reducing plastic waste that contributes to climate change, biodiversity loss, and air pollution. By advocating for a plastic-free lifestyle, ZPSC decreases the production and incineration of plastic, which emits greenhouse gases. It protects biodiversity by preventing plastic pollution in marine and terrestrial ecosystems, reducing harm to wildlife. ZPSC also mitigates air pollution from the burning of plastic waste, promoting cleaner air and a healthier environment for all.

What does your 'business model' look like?

Previous Grants Received by ZPSC:

The Zero Plastic Straw Community (ZPSC) is dedicated to combatting plastic pollution, particularly from single-use plastic straws, by promoting eco-friendly alternatives, running educational campaigns, partnering with businesses, and measuring success through various metrics. ZPSC has received several grants to support its mission, including $2,211 from the Captain Planet Foundation for the Global Planeteer Fire Summit in Lagos, Nigeria, in July 2024, and a $1,000 grant along with the Global Recycling Hero Award from the Global Recycling Foundation in March 2024. In 2023, ZPSC was honoured with the Wangari Maathai Legacy Prize Award and received $2,000 from the Wangari Maathai Foundation. Additionally, a $1,600 grant from the Captain Planet Foundation supported the Global Planeteer Wind Summit in Lagos in 2023, and an additional $10,000 grant from the Captain Planet Foundation supported the Lagos policy training project. In total, ZPSC has received $16,811 in grants, enabling the organization to drive impactful initiatives and advance its mission of reducing plastic pollution and promoting sustainable practices.

Please summarise your impact to date.

Please summarise yourself in 100 words.

At just 16 years old, Toluwalase Abiona developed an interest in environmental issues and the importance of preserving the delicate balance of life within ocean ecosystems. Toluwalase studied Marine Biology at the University of Lagos, Nigeria. Toluwalase began her environmental journey by joining the Captain Planet Foundation’s Planeteer Alliance through which she had the opportunity to participate in the Tide Turners Plastic Policy Cohort.

It was from this passion and connection to her community that Toluwalase created the Zero Plastic Straw Community organization. In March 2023, she was recognized for her efforts as the organization’s founder and awarded The Wangari Maathai Legacy Prize Award. In March 2024, Toluwalse was awarded The Global Recycling Heroes Award for her extensive environmental work. As a dedicated environmentalist and founder of Zero Plastic Straw Community, Toluwalase was awarded for making significant strides in reducing plastic waste by providing 6 recycling giant bins and donating 50 eco-friendly alternatives to plastic straws among school students and local communities. Through educational campaigns, cleanups and advocacy efforts, she has engaged over 5,000 individuals in recycling practices and the fight against plastic pollution.

What is your LinkedIn URL?

If you would like to share links to your social media profiles (so we can tag you where relevant).

Instagram
X

What are your expectations and motivation for joining the Changemakers for the Planet programme?

Joining the Changemakers for the Planet program presents an opportunity for skill development, networking, mentorship, access to resources, and making a measurable impact. Motivations include a passion for change, personal growth, community improvement, inspiration, and leaving a positive legacy.

The CXC community is about authenticity and vulnerability and also addresses the tougher aspects of driving social change. Tell us one thing that is difficult about the change-making path you have chosen?

Overcoming resistance to change is something I've been working on lately. I've noticed that many people around me are comfortable with the way things are and aren't very open to new ideas. I think this resistance comes from cultural norms, fear of the unknown, and just the inertia of the way things have always been. It's been challenging, but I'm learning that persistence and clear communication are key. I've also been focusing on adapting my strategies and building trust within my community to make a positive change.

Do you identify as a member of a marginalised or discriminated group?
(Why are we collecting this data?
The sole purpose of this data is to enable the CXC team to track and report representation across our programmes as we aim to have healthy diversity ratios across our programmes and identify any biases or trends. This data will also be reported in the aggregate as part of our end-of-year impact reporting.)

Yes