SustyVibes transformed from a 2016 Lagos blog into an 800-volunteer youth-led climate movement spanning Africa, the UK, and the US by making sustainability feel cool and accessible through community gatherings, eco-anxiety support, and projects like tree planting.
In 2016, a young woman in Lagos began writing about sustainability. It was not a formal project at the time, just a personal blog where she shared thoughts on environmental issues and how they connect to everyday life. She wanted to make sense of sustainability in a way that felt practical and relevant to young people like her. That blog would grow into SustyVibes, a youth-led organization now shaping how young people engage with climate resilience and sustainability across Africa and beyond.
SustyVibes was founded by Jennifer Uchendu-Kalu at a time when most environmental organizations in Nigeria were led by older professionals. There were limited spaces for young people to participate meaningfully, let alone lead. Many young people cared deeply about the environment, but there were few platforms that reflected their voice, their energy, or their lived experiences.
Jennifer recognized the gap and wanted to contribute to environmental protection in a meaningful way; however, the path was not clear. So she started at the grassroots, sharing ideas and opening up conversations through her blog. Over time, the response grew. There was interest, curiosity, and a growing sense that others were looking for the same kind of space. A few months later, she invited her readers to a small gathering in Lagos. It was meant to be informal, just a chance to meet and talk. More than 50 young people showed up.
That gathering revealed to her that young people were ready to engage with sustainability, but they wanted to do it in a way that felt cool, relatable, actionable, and community-driven. It became the first Susty Party. People came together to talk, share experiences, and reflect on the environmental issues around them in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
From there, SustyVibes began to take shape. It became a community. What started with a handful of people has now grown into a network of over 800 volunteers, known as SustyVibers. The organization, which began in Nigeria, has expanded across West Africa and now has a presence in the United Kingdom and the United States.
At its core, SustyVibes exists to make sustainability feel accessible and human. To be something that can be understood and practiced in everyday life, especially for young people.
SustyVibes is youth-led and youth-focused, which means young people are not only participants but also drivers of the work. Volunteers are given the opportunity to lead projects, manage communities, and take ownership of initiatives. Through this, they build leadership skills, confidence, and the ability to create change within their own contexts.
The impact of this approach is often seen in the personal journeys of SustyVibers. Many join the community with an interest in sustainability and go on to lead projects or pursue careers in the field. Others find a sense of belonging and purpose that strengthens their commitment to climate action.
SustyVibes puts young people in the driver’s seat of climate action, giving volunteers the tools to lead projects, build communities, and turn a personal interest in sustainability into lasting careers and a lifelong sense of purpose. Photo courtesy of SustyVibes.
Over the past decade, SustyVibes has led a number of impactful projects that reflect both its values and its evolving focus. One of the most impactful programs is The Eco-Anxiety Africa Project (TEAP), launched in 2022. This initiative addresses the intersection of climate change and mental health, an area that is often overlooked.
Climate change not only affects the physical environment. It also shapes how people feel about the future, often creating anxiety, fear, and uncertainty. In many African contexts, these emotional experiences are not widely discussed or supported. Through TEAP, SustyVibes is creating space for those conversations.
The work includes research, community engagement, and the development of support systems that help individuals process their experiences. The organization also trains climate and health activists to integrate mental health awareness into their work, ensuring that care is embedded within climate action.
Another standout initiative is the Communitrees project, implemented in Lagos and Abuja in 2021, with support from the government of the United Kingdom. The project focused on planting fruit-bearing trees within communities, but its impact extended far beyond that.
Community members were actively involved in the process, from planting to ongoing care. For many, especially older residents, the project brought back memories of growing up around trees that provided both food and shade. There was a strong sense of connection and responsibility, and many of the trees planted during the project are still standing today.
SustyVibes has also contributed to the Connecting Climate Minds project, funded by the Wellcome Trust. As part of this global initiative, the organization was invited to lead the youth engagement component, working with partners to strengthen research and dialogue around climate change and mental health.
These milestones reflect SustyVibes’ growth over time. The organization has expanded its reach while also deepening its focus on issues that matter to its community. Despite this growth, SustyVibes continues to center people in its work by creating spaces where individuals can come together, share their experiences, and take action.
As SustyVibes enters its next decade, the organization is entering a new phase. One of the key initiatives guiding this transition is the NorthStar project. This is a participatory process that brings together team members, volunteers, and partners to shape the future direction of the organization. It reflects a commitment to collective decision-making and ensures that the next chapter of SustyVibes is informed by the people who are part of it. At the same time, SustyVibes is expanding its presence into new countries, with the goal of building a broader and more connected network of young people driving sustainability action.
