The World Inspiring Network, a nonprofit organization based in Accra, has once again secured a grant under Phase II of the Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund to advance its environmental initiatives.
This achievement makes the organization the only one in Accra among Kumasi and other cities participating in the fund to have won the award twice, both in Phase I and Phase II.
During Phase I, with a budget of $2,000, the organization focused on education and youth engagement. The project empowered students in three schools to become climate ambassadors, promoting clean energy through awareness campaigns and the introduction of energy-saving technologies such as LED lights and solar panels.
It also helped raise awareness about energy conservation, environmental sustainability, and the reduction of carbon emissions in schools and surrounding communities.
The Bloomberg Youth Climate Action Fund is a global initiative supported by Bloomberg Philanthropies, aiming to empower young people to lead local climate solutions. The fund provides financial support and resources for youth-led climate projects in cities across the world.
In Accra, the initiative is supported by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and youth empowerment.
In 2025, the World Inspiring Network is scaling up its efforts through a new project called EcoFlames. With a Phase II budget of $5,000, the initiative will train 30 young people to convert coconut husks and shells into clean-burning charcoal briquettes.
Thelma Naroog Bamanteeh has been nominated as the Project Lead for EcoFlames, and she will oversee its implementation and community engagement efforts.
This innovative project tackles three key problems in Accra: coconut waste pollution, youth unemployment, and heavy dependence on dirty cooking fuels like wood and traditional charcoal.
Executive Director of the World Inspiring Network, Maxwell Odonkor, explained that Accra alone generates over 151 tonnes of coconut waste every day, and much of this waste ends up polluting the environment or causing health problems.
“Most of the coconut waste is either burnt or dumped in water bodies, which causes erosion, air pollution, and diseases like cardiovascular and respiratory illnesses. With EcoFlames, we’re turning waste into a clean energy solution and creating opportunities for young people,” he said.
He added that the project involves community engagement, especially with coconut vendors, to understand how the waste is disposed of.
“We’ll collect the coconut waste, dry it, and use a special machine called a carbonizer to burn it without releasing smoke into the atmosphere. After that, we grind it, mix it with starch and water to form a paste, and then shape and dry it to produce charcoal briquettes,” he explained.
He emphasized that although some parts of the process use machines, others will be done manually to keep it affordable.
“We want to show that this can be replicated even without expensive machines. Youth can start their own small businesses with simple tools,” he said.
He indicated that the EcoFlames Initiative is part of the Green Action Project and will be presented at the Green Action Summit in October 2025.
Maxwell disclosed that the project will run for six months and include community training, production of 500 kilograms of briquettes, and public education on the benefits of clean energy.
“We started our clean energy journey last year with education. This year, we’re creating a product. We want participants to finish this training ready to build a business and help solve environmental problems,” Odonkor noted.
He also expressed gratitude to the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) for supporting the initiative.
“In the first round of the grant, over 70 groups applied and only 12 were selected. We were one of them. In this second round, we are proud to be the only organization that has been selected again in the city of Accra. We truly appreciate AMA’s support,” he stated.
He urged young people to take action in the fight against climate change. “If we don’t work now to ensure the next generation enjoys a healthy environment, then what are we doing? Let’s step up, be creative, and do our part. Climate action isn’t just for governments or big companies. We all have a role to play,” he pleaded.
About World Inspiring Network
World Inspiring Network is a grassroots nonprofit organization based in Ghana, empowering young people in underserved communities across the country.
We provide education, youth empowerment, and climate action initiatives to empower young people with the knowledge, skills, and opportunities necessary to access quality education, drive sustainable change, and break the cycle of poverty.
With the support of a global network of volunteers, we strive to foster personal and community development while addressing the challenges of climate change. Our work aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG1, 4, 5, 8, and SDG13.
Founded in 2016, World Inspiring Network has experienced significant growth, driven by our commitment to our mission and the collaborative efforts of our volunteers, donors, and partners.
