It is a memorable week for Ondo women and youths who took part in the CAIS Upcycling Entrepreneur Training Programme.
Climate Actors for Innovation and Sustainability (CAIS) is a non-governmental and nonprofit organisation supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) under the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).
CAIS, under their PureWise project has trained over 200 people in Ondo city on human and environmental impacts on climate change, waste management, and disposing of waste responsibly.
Again, this week, about 100 women and youths were trained on waste reusing, and upcycling at their community demonstration centre at Christland, Italuogho, Ondo city.
Upcycling is the transformation of waste materials into useful products of higher quality and economic value, thereby reducing landfill waste and minimising the need for new, raw materials.
It was a practical training programme whereby the participants were trained on how to transform domestic waste materials into products with economic value.
The program was conducted in 2 batches, and participants in each of the batches were able to demonstrate what they learned.
Each participant had an exhibition where they turned waste materials such as PET bottles, bottle caps, old clothes, sacks, packaging materials, and other plastic materials into products such as tote bags, bowties, doormats, waste bins, among others.
Mr Alex Ogundipe, the project manager said the training programme was designed to develop more recyclers in the city, connect the newly trained recyclers with the existing ones to create more business opportunities while addressing growing environmental concerns through practical, community-led innovative solutions.
According to him, environmental sustainability and inclusive economic growth have become urgent priorities, especially in the face of rising waste management challenges in the country.
He emphasised that poor waste disposal continues to have serious impacts on public health, infrastructure decay, livelihood, and the natural environment, stressing that innovative, community-driven approaches are important in reversing the trend.
Ogundipe noted that the training was also designed to bridge knowledge gaps by showing participants how discarded materials can be transformed into useful products with higher economic value.
He reaffirmed CAIS’s commitment to advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and promoting community-led environmental action.
The President of Ekimogun Youths Connect (EYC), Comrade Famakinwa Lucaskakaki, who also attended the programme, commended CAIS for organising what he described as a timely and impactful training programme.
He expressed his appreciation for the organisation’s dedication to women and youth empowerment, noting that such initiatives align with the vision of EYC, which is human capital development.
Lucaskakaki said the training has provided participants with practical knowledge and skills that can improve their livelihoods while contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.
He further noted that the programme has inspired many participants to begin seeing waste not as a problem, but as an opportunity for economic growth and environmental improvement.
According to him, initiatives like this will go a long way in reducing unemployment, encouraging entrepreneurship, and promoting responsible environmental practices in Ondo city.
He urged other NGOs and stakeholders to emulate CAIS by investing in programmes that empower women and young people and address critical environmental issues.
The trainees were excited about the warm reception during the training, the expertise, and the impact this would have on their livelihoods.
Many of the participants promised to put into practice the knowledge acquired during the training in upcycling their waste, thereby reducing waste, pollution, and greenhouse gas emissions in our environment.
Each participant received a certificate of participation after their exhibition.
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