Project Concept Note
Project Title: "Clean Sabo, Green Future"
A Climate-Aware Waste Management Awareness Campaign in Sabo Community, Kaduna State
1. Implementing Organization
Green Planet Africa (GPA) is a non-profit organization operating across Africa to promote
environmental sustainability and climate resilience through community engagement, climate
education, leadership development, and empowerment initiatives. The organization is
committed to building environmentally conscious communities that can address and adapt to
the growing challenges of climate change. This project aligns with GPA’s thematic focus areas
and core mission to create grassroots awareness and action.
2. Background and Context
In recent years, the effects of climate change have intensified across Nigeria, with urban and
peri-urban communities facing increased environmental risks. One such community is Sabo,
located within Chikun Local Government Area of Kaduna State. The area has witnessed a rising
frequency of flash floods, particularly during the rainy season. A major contributor to this crisis
is improper waste disposal, where refuse is dumped in open spaces, waterways, and along
streets. The blocked drainage systems significantly reduce water flow during heavy rains,
leading to flooding of homes and roads.
These localized environmental hazards are deeply interconnected with broader climate
dynamics. Decomposing organic waste in open dumpsites emits methane—a greenhouse gas
more potent than carbon dioxide—thus exacerbating global warming. In addition, unregulated
burning of waste contributes to air pollution and increases the community’s carbon footprint.
The community's vulnerability is further intensified by low public awareness about the
consequences of indiscriminate waste disposal and the lack of coordinated environmental
governance.
Sabo’s situation reflects a broader trend seen in many parts of Kaduna State, where growing
populations and poor infrastructure collide with environmental negligence. Yet, communities
are not without hope. With adequate sensitization, civic mobilization, and institutional support,
waste management can be transformed into an entry point for environmental sustainability,
public health, and climate resilience.
3. Problem Statement
The Sabo community faces a critical waste management problem that is contributing directly to
flooding, environmental degradation, and heightened climate vulnerability. There is little to no
infrastructure for proper waste collection, and illegal dumping has become the norm. Residents
are unaware of the links between waste, climate change, and health risks, and there are
minimal partnerships between the government and civil society to address this issue. The
urgent need is for a community-driven, climate-informed intervention that fosters behavioral
change, strengthens civic responsibility, and promotes institutional collaboration.
4. Project Goal and Objectives
The primary goal of this project is to raise awareness and promote sustainable waste
management practices among residents of Sabo community while establishing clear
connections between local waste problems and global climate issues.
Specific objectives include:
Educating at least 1,000 residents about the environmental and climate impacts of poor waste
management.
Training 50 young people as Climate-Waste Champions to lead peer education and community
sensitization.
Facilitating a stakeholder roundtable involving government agencies, NGOs, and community
leaders to develop a coordinated response to waste challenges.
Launching a model cleanup and waste segregation pilot program that can be replicated in other
parts of Kaduna State.
5. Project Activities
The campaign will begin with a baseline assessment to identify major waste hotspots, flood-
prone zones, and existing community perceptions of waste and climate change. This will be
followed by a comprehensive sensitization campaign that includes door-to-door outreach,
market rallies, and school engagements. Informative materials such as posters, flyers, and radio
jingles will be produced to reinforce messaging.
Climate-Waste Education Workshops will be held to provide deeper learning on how poor
waste practices contribute to global warming and flooding. Testimonials and case studies from
recent local flood incidents will be used to personalize the message. The project will also
conduct a training for 50 youth volunteers who will serve as Climate-Waste Champions and
sustain outreach efforts beyond the life of the project.
A major cleanup day will be organized in partnership with Kaduna State Environmental
Protection Authority (KEPA) and local waste collection services. During this event, bins for
waste segregation will be distributed, and community members will be educated on separating
organic and recyclable waste. The final stage will involve a stakeholder roundtable to explore
sustainable partnerships and policies for waste management in the Sabo area.
6. Expected Outcomes
The project is expected to result in increased awareness and behavior change among Sabo
residents. The community will become more environmentally responsible, leading to cleaner
surroundings and reduced risk of flooding. The trained youth volunteers will serve as ongoing
ambassadors for waste and climate action. Local stakeholders, including government agencies
and NGOs, will be more engaged in sustainable waste solutions, laying the foundation for a
long-term waste management strategy in Sabo and beyond.
7. Strategic Value and Partnership Appeal
This project aligns with Kaduna State’s Environmental Policy and contributes directly to
Nigeria’s commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Sustainable Development Goals—
particularly SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15
(Life on Land). Green Planet Africa seeks strategic collaboration with Kaduna State Government
institutions such as KEPA and KADENAP, local government authorities, international donors,
and NGOs with interest in environmental health and climate justice.
The project presents an opportunity to pilot a replicable model for grassroots climate
engagement through waste management. By supporting this initiative, partners will be helping
to create a cleaner, safer, and more climate-resilient Kaduna State. They will also contribute to
empowering youth and strengthening the connection between local action and global climate
solutions.
