A new project seeking to equip school-going children with environmental protection and climate change response skills has been launched in Nyabihu District.

The project is an initiative of a non-governmental organisation, Rwanda Green Initiative (RGI), founded by a group of  young graduates and funded by Global Green Grant.

The youth behind the project won funding after presenting their project in a global competition.

The NGO is working closely with a school entrepreneurship network, which operates in various schools in the north-western region to protect the environment.

Speaking at the launch of the project, this week, Angel Mukaminani, the Nyabihu District vice-mayor in charge of economic affairs, said the project will complement other climate change adaptation interventions in the district.

 "It is good children are learning how to deal with climate change. It will  help to deal with climate change issues,” she said.

Nyabihu District has previously witnessed environmental hazards such as floods and landslides that left houses and property destroyed.

"Starting the project in our vulnerable district will no doubt help change the mindset of our citizens. It is everyone’s responsibility to protect the environment,” she added.

Velentine Dushimiyimana, an RGI representative, stressed the need to work closely with schools to mitigate the effects of climate change.

"We aim at protecting the environment by  explaining the causes and effects of climate change while finding solutions  to the issue,” said Dushimiyimana.

The launch brought together students from various schools in the District.

It featured songs, poems, debates and drawing competitions on how to protect the environment through climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The project will operate in most of the prone districts including Nyabihu, Musanze, Rulindo and some parts of the City of Kigali.

The Rwanda Green Initiative secured $6,000 (Rwf4 million) to start the first phase but they are optimistic they will secure another grant once their first phase is successfully implemented.