Windhoek, Oct 19 — As climate change and biodiversity loss increasingly shape the global development agenda, the need for environmental literacy has never been more urgent. Building resilient communities requires policies and infrastructure as well as informed citizens who understand the relationship between human wellbeing and environmental stewardship.
This is why investments in environmental education are becoming one of the most important long-term sustainability interventions. Through the Nedbank Go Green Fund, which is facilitated by the Namibia Nature Foundation (NNF), the bank continues to support initiatives that empower Namibians with the knowledge and practical skills needed to create a more sustainable future. One such initiative, which was supported with N$150 000.00 is the Namib Desert Environmental Education Trust (NaDEET) Educator Programme, which is cultivating a growing network of environmental champions across the country.
NaDEET, a registered Namibian non-profit trust established in 2003, has built a reputation as one of the country’s leading environmental education organisations. Its approach goes beyond traditional classroom learning by creating immersive experiences that allow participants to practise sustainable living first-hand. At the heart of its work are two environmental education centres: the NaDEET Centre, located on the NamibRand Nature Reserve in the Namib Desert, and the Urban Sustainability Centre in Swakopmund, which focuses on the environmental impact of everyday urban lifestyle
choices.
The organisation’s vision is to contribute towards a sustainable world where nature thrives and where environmental rights and responsibilities are valued and protected. Through hands-on, experiential learning, NaDEET helps participants understand complex environmental challenges while equipping them with practical solutions that can be applied in homes, schools, workplaces and communities. Its programmes also support Namibia’s education system and contribute to the broader integration of education for sustainable development across the country.
Through previous funding from the Go Green Fund, NaDEET has been able to continue delivering its Educator Programme, a four-day residential training experience aimed at formal and informal educators, community fieldworkers, conservation practitioners and development professionals.
The programme recognises that educators serve as influential role models whose actions and knowledge can have a multiplier effect throughout society.Participants are exposed to practical sustainability concepts including renewable energy, water
conservation, waste management, biodiversity protection, climate change adaptation and responsible resource use. Rather than learning through theory alone, they experience sustainable practices directly through daily activities and environmental audits that track energy consumption, water use and waste generation. This process encourages participants to reflect on their own behaviour while identifying opportunities to reduce their environmental footprint.
NaDEET Environmental Educator, Festus Awene, said: ‘A unique feature of the programme is its environmental auditing component, where participants monitor their use of water, energy and waste throughout their stay. This hands-on exercise encourages reflection on personal consumption patterns.’
The value of this approach lies in its ability to transform knowledge into action. Environmental challenges cannot be solved by awareness alone. Sustainable change occurs when people understand how their individual decisions influence broader environmental outcomes and when they are equipped with practical tools to make different choices.
According to Nedbank Namibia Chief Financial Officer, Victor Maengahama, environmental education is a critical investment in the country’s future: ‘At Nedbank Namibia, we believe that sustainability is ultimately about people. By investing in environmental education through the Go Green Fund, we are helping to develop informed leaders and community champions who can drive lasting behavioural change. Programmes such as NaDEET demonstrate that when knowledge is combined with practical
experience, individuals are empowered to become active participants in building a more resilient and sustainable Namibia.’
The partnership between the Nedbank Go Green Fund and NaDEET demonstrates the powerful role collaboration can play in advancing national sustainability goals. NaDEET’s continued success, including international recognition for its contribution to environmental education and sustainable development, highlights the importance of investing in programmes that equip people with the skills required to navigate an increasingly complex environmental future.
For Namibia, building a sustainable future will require innovation, collaboration and a shared commitment to responsible stewardship of natural resources. Environmental education provides the foundation upon which these ambitions can be realised. By supporting initiatives such as the NaDEET Educator Programme, the Go Green Fund is funding training and helping to nurture a generation of environmentally conscious citizens capable of driving meaningful and lasting change.
