Environmental clubs
Take action
Starting and running an environmental club
An environmental club is a group of pupils or young people who meet regularly to learn, act and raise awareness. This page walks you through it, from the idea to the action plan.
Why a club?Five good reasons▾
- To make environmental action last, beyond one-off events;
- To build useful skills: organisation, speaking up, teamwork, responsibility;
- To connect the school to its community: the actions reach families and the neighbourhood;
- To take part in the platform's green days, competitions and training;
- To join a network of clubs that share experience and good practice.
Setting it up
Eight simple steps
- Obtain the school head's agreement and find a willing adult supervisor.
- Open membership to everyone.
- Hold a launch meeting: objectives, expectations, first members.
- Elect a simple committee, keeping a balance between girls and boys.
- Adopt clear working rules.
- Draw up the annual action plan (template below).
- Register the club through the online form.
- Launch a first visible activity to bring the members together.
OrganisationRoles in the club▾
| Role | Main responsibilities |
|---|---|
| Supervisor (adult) | Supports the club, is the link with the school head and the authorities, and sees to the safety of activities. |
| Chair | Runs the meetings, represents the club, sees that the action plan is carried out. |
| Secretary | Keeps the membership register, writes the minutes, looks after the club notebook. |
| Treasurer | Manages the club's small resources transparently and accounts for them. |
| Activity leaders | Each prepares and coordinates one type of activity (planting, clean-ups, awareness raising…). |
| Members | Take part in meetings and activities, and carry the messages to their families and neighbourhood. |
School yearSuggested monthly activities▾
An indicative calendar, to be adapted to each school's situation.
| Period | Suggested activity |
|---|---|
| Month 1 | Club launch, sign-ups, election of the committee. |
| Month 2 | Drawing up the action plan; module « Introduction to the environment ». |
| Month 3 | Cleanliness survey of the school; first waste collection. |
| Month 4 | Module « Waste management »; sorting bins or compost pits. |
| Month 5 | Preparing the planting: choosing the site, ordering the seedlings. |
| Month 6 | Tree planting and sponsoring of the seedlings. |
| Month 7 | Door-to-door awareness raising or an exhibition for families. |
| Month 8 | Inter-class quiz; looking after the plantings. |
| Month 9 | School green day (for example around 5 June, World Environment Day). |
| Month 10 | Annual review, club report, celebration and preparation for the new year. |
The full action plan template is in the resources catalogue; write to info@acape-burundi.org to receive it.
CommitmentsThe club charter (template)▾
Every club adopts and displays its charter. Here is a template to adapt and have the members sign:
- We learn:the club follows the platform's modules and shares what it learns.
- We act:at least one concrete activity a month, planned in the action plan.
- We respect:people, property, the local authorities and the safety rules, in all circumstances.
- We include:the club is open to everyone; girls and boys share the responsibilities.
- We account:activities, attendance and small resources are recorded in the club notebook, which every member may consult.
- We tell the truth:we report only real results.
Done at …………………………, on …………………… — signatures of the committee and the supervisor. Printable template in the resources catalogue.resources catalogue.
The club's meansSimple ideas for self-funding▾
A club does not need large means — a few tested ideas, always managed transparently by the treasurer:
Club nursery
Grow seedlings and pass some to the community for a token price; the rest goes to the club's own planting.
Compost
Turn the school's organic waste into compost for the school garden or for member families.
Token subscription and support
A small subscription decided by the members, and occasional support from the school, the commune or partners, as agreed locally.
Frequently asked questionsClub FAQ▾
❓How many members do we need to start?
There is no set minimum: a motivated core of a few members is enough to begin. The club will grow with its first visible activities.
❓Is there a fee to register a club?
No. Registering on the platform and access to the modules and resources are free.
❓Can a club exist outside a school?
Yes: a group of young people from a neighbourhood, a hill, a parish or a movement can start a club, with an adult supervisor and a host organisation that agrees to it.
❓What does a registered club receive?
The start-up kit (guide, charter, action plan, register), access to training and competitions, and membership of the club network.
❓How does the club report?
Through the monthly report sheet (Resources page) and the online action report form. Only activities actually carried out are declared.
RegistrationRegister our club▾
Join the network to gain access to resources, training and competitions.
Start or join a club
Write to us for support in starting your environmental club.
Or by email: info@acape-burundi.org
Registration
Register our club
A club that already exists can register with the programme. The form is meant for the adult supervisor: name of the club, host organisation, location, the supervisor's contact details and numbers. No personal data is requested about members who are minors.
The form requires an account. Create one, it is free, or sign in before opening it.
Become an Imuhira Animator
Become a Guardian of Creation
Train on the three e-muhira courses, launch three initiatives checked by the ACAPE team and become an Imuhira Animator, Guardian of Creation. About 11 hours of free online training.
Discover the path