Context

Some parts of Cameroon face significant climatic stresses, including desertification and severe droughts, particularly in Maroua, Garoua, and Ngaoundéré. Wildlife in the forest areas close to Bertoua town is also being overexploited. Desertification and poaching devastate biodiversity, further impacted by climate change stresses. People’s livelihoods are affected, and more people are moving to urban areas in search of alternatives.

Project objectives 

Grand Slam National is responding to these challenges with a novel approach, recognising that young people are willing and excited to express themselves artistically. They use this artistic expression to raise awareness about the impacts of climate change and other environmental issues in their communities. The goal is for these young people to become champions of these sustainable practices and climate knowledge and engage with their parents and older generations on their traditional practices. In turn, parents also learn from their children.

Project activities

1. The project offers artistic residencies for young people in four Cameroon cities: Maroua, Bertoua, Kribi, and Douala. Thirty young performers are selected from an open call for artistic performances that address themes relevant to each city. Topics range from deforestation to overfishing, which affect local livelihoods, especially in light of climate change. The call is open to individuals aged 15 to 22.
2. During the artistic residencies, young performers participate in workshops discussing climate change's impacts in their cities and surrounding areas. They learn about local Indigenous practices, such as using straw to create roofs, making bricks from local materials, and harvesting honey, all of which are sustainable methods. The project then supports these youths in integrating this knowledge into their performances.
3. At the end of the workshop, the top six performers from each city are selected to tour the region, performing in three to four towns. Grand Slam organises discussion panels and screenings of documentaries focused on climate change and artistic writing. It also hosts local apprenticeship workshops on recycling and Indigenous environmental preservation efforts. The performances aim to raise awareness about how local communities can change their behaviours and take action to become more resilient to the risks posed by climate change.

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Project outputs

In 2024, the project hosted an artistic residency in Maroua for 30 young performers, 18 of whom were women and 17 of whom were younger than eighteen. They also launched a call for performances in Bertoua and will host a residency for these young people. Grand Slam National is taking steps to institutionalise its approach with the Ministry of Education in Cameroon, given the interest and enthusiastic engagement of the young people they work with.

• Film on artistic residency in Maroua
• Film on artistic residency in Bertoua
• Film on artistic residency in Kiribi
• Film on artistic residency in Douala