# Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze

Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze (born December 20, 1994 in Bubanza, Burundi ), is a Burundian midwife and environmental activist. He is the founder of the Greening Burundi organization, which works for reforestation, environmental protection and the promotion of sustainable development. Through this organization, he leads local actions focused on combating the effects of climate change, notably through tree planting and community awareness.

## Biography

Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze was born into a farming family in Bubanza, Burundi. His childhood was marked by the consequences of the Burundian civil war (1993-2005), a conflict which profoundly affected infrastructure, leading in particular to deforestation and degradation of ecosystems.
From a young age, he developed an interest in environmental issues. According to some sources, he started planting trees at the age of eight to combat deforestation.

## First environmental challenges

As a teenager, Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze observed the negative effects of deforestation on rural communities in his region. These observations prompted him to organize local awareness campaigns and collective tree planting initiatives.
Despite limited resources, he founded the Greening Burundi project, an initiative to promote reforestation and environmental sustainability. This project seeks to mitigate the effects of climate change through tree planting activities and educational programs. Some of Greening Burundi's initiatives have attracted international attention.

## Training and early career

Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze obtained a bachelor's degree in midwifery sciences from the National Institute of Public Health of Burundi. He subsequently completed additional training in ecosystem management and forest conservation, including a course taught by Cornell University.

## Greening Burundi

In 2017, Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze officially launched Greening Burundi, an organization dedicated to combating deforestation and promoting sustainable practices.
Main objectives:
* Reforestation : reducing the effects of deforestation by planting trees.
* Community awareness: educating local people about the importance of preserving ecosystems.
* Sustainable agriculture : encouraging environmentally friendly agricultural practices.
Since its creation, the project has allowed the planting of hundreds of thousands of trees and has mobilized several local communities. Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze has also established collaborations with non-governmental and international organizations in order to expand the activities of the organization.

## Recognition and challenges

Emmanuel Niyoyabikoze has faced significant challenges, particularly due to the unstable political situation in Burundi. These difficulties led him to continue his environmental awareness activities abroad, particularly in Germany, where he continued to promote local and international initiatives to combat climate change.

## Awards and distinctions

* Global Peace Excellence Award, Maldives (2019),
* Mary Robinson Climate Justice Award (2021),
* East Africa Earth Champion (2021),
* Top 100 Young African Conservation Leader (2021),
* 5 influential personalities of Burundi (2019),
* Nomination among the 25 Burundian RoleModels (2019).