TUI Junior Academy South Africa
Climate change in South Africa is having a profound impact and posing significant challenges to the environment, economy and society. These challenges also affect the daily life of under-resourced school communities. Many schools operate in environments marked by pollution, lack of green spaces and limited opportunities for practical environmental learning. Despite being directly affected by these conditions, young people often have low influence in decision-making,
TUI Junior Academy South Africa responds to this by strengthening environmental education and learner participation in public schools. The second phase of the project builds on the achievements of the first phase and expands its reach and depth. Its main purpose is to equip Grade 9 learners with the knowledge, skills and confidence to understand environmental challenges and take action in their schools and communities. The project empowers learners by positioning them as changemakers who lead campaigns, environmental clubs and community initiatives. Over time, this approach strengthens schools, supports active citizenship, and connects environmental care with future livelihoods.
Many township schools in South Africa are located in areas affected by environmental neglect, informal trash dumping and limited access to clean outdoor spaces. Schools are often overcrowded and lack resources, which leaves little focus on environmental education outside the classroom. Whilst students are aware of pollution and climate change, they lack structured opportunities to act. At the same time, environmental degradation increases social vulnerability and affects health, safety and learning conditions. Climate change further intensifies these pressures. Without sustained, learner-led initiatives supported by schools and civil society, environmental education remains fragmented.
Culminating in 2025, the first phase of TUI Junior Academy South Africa was implemented through a nationwide changemaker network. During this phase, the project reached around 200,000 high-school learners in 200 schools across South Africa. A total of 1,200 students were trained as changemakers and led school-wide campaigns on environmental awareness and gender-based violence prevention. Evaluation results showed strong behavioural change, with most participants reporting increased motivation, improved daily habits and concrete action such as recycling and tree planting.
The second phase of the project reaches approximately 32,000 Grade 9 students each year in 160 high schools, who take part in awareness sessions that introduce environmental challenges and civic engagement. From each class, learners nominate peers as changemakers. Over two years, 1,600 students receive in-depth training in environmental awareness, leadership and campaign design. They act as eco-champions and lead annual school-wide environmental campaigns, reaching an estimated 160,000 students across participating schools. This approach empowers students, strengthens responsibility and helps create more positive school environments. whilst embedding environmental thinking into daily school life.
The project also establishes eco-clubs in all 160 schools, creating spaces for regular action beyond campaigns. Each eco-club brings together changemakers and other learners and grows over time. Clubs design and implement community action projects, with 80 projects supported across the project period. These include practical initiatives that improve school grounds or neighbourhood spaces. A new element of this phase links environmental protection to economic opportunity through eco-tourism campaigns, supported by learner-friendly educational materials. Alongside student activities, 160 teachers, 40 district officials and 80 civil society representatives receive training. This ensures schools and partner organisations can sustain activities, guide learners effectively and continue environmental education beyond the project timeline.
Project Partner
Masifunde is a non-governmental organisation founded in 2004, which runs development programmes for children and youth in Nelson Mandela Bay, South Africa. Masifunde’s work is driven by the vision of a united society in which everyone is empowered through high-quality education to participate pro-actively and confidently in societal issues and thereby initiating positive change in their own lives and the lives of others.
