The Inside Story.
RuPEN, a youth-led non-profit established in 2022 with registration number 026/RDE/F.31/SAAJP and based in the Western highlands of Cameroon, is driven by a core purpose: to serve and empower rural populations and the underprivileged, particularly women and youth. We achieve this through hands-on training for income generation, networking, scholarships, and by championing access to education, digital skills, environmental awareness, gender equality, civic engagement, and sustainable practices.
Big Dreams!
Our activities are essentially centered around providing hands-on training initiatives in income generating activities, professional networking opportunities, and scholarships to underprivileged
youths, supporting access to education for all children, fostering the development of digital skills and
environmental awareness, and advocating for gender equality, youths’ civic engagement and
sustainable production and consumption behavior.
Ourcore values are: Empowerment, Equity and Inclusion, Sustainability, Innovation, Collaboration,
Accountability, Civic Responsibility, Resilience, Diversity, and Integrity.
We target underprivileged emerging leaders: youths with leadership potential from disadvantaged
backgrounds.
The specific professional environmental leadership skills targeted include Environmental Advocacy; Sustainable Natural Resource Management; Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation; Environmental Communication; Circular Economy Practices; Renewable Energy; Biodiversity
Conservation; Ethical Leadership; Digital Literacy; and Financial Literacy.
Our Blueprint
Mission
RuPEN aims to boost quality environmental leadership skills in underprivileged emerging leaders through inclusive and sustainable programs. We offer fellowships, networking, scholarships, training, mentorship, internships, and volunteer opportunities, all based on participatory efforts and equal opportunity.
Vission
RuPEN envisions uniting advocates globally to collaborate on inclusive growth, gender equality, youth and women’s empowerment, and environmental protection in Cameroon and Sub-Saharan Africa. By promoting UN SDGs, they aim to combat poverty, illiteracy, ignorance, insecurity, discrimination, and violence, ultimately fostering a sustainable economy.
Core values
Our core values are: Empowerment, gender equality and Inclusion, Sustainability, Innovation, Collaboration, Accountability, Civic Responsibility, Resilience, Diversity, and Integrity.
What we Do
RuPEN empowers rural populations through initiatives centered around five key themes:
Youth and Women’s Socio-Economic Empowerment: Providing skills training, seed capital, and financial literacy to create income opportunities in sustainable agriculture, digital technologies, and renewable energy.
Gender Equality and Inclusion: Promoting equal opportunities, transforming gender perceptions, and combating gender-based violence through ICT/STEM education for girls, youth empowerment, and equitable community norms.
Environmental Protection and Climate Action: Strengthening climate resilience and promoting sustainable living through sustainable agriculture, ecosystem restoration (like the Mt. Bamboutos initiative), and waste-to-energy projects.
Youths’ Civic Engagement: Fostering patriotism, responsibility, and cultural pride while empowering youth to combat discrimination, violence, and intolerance, promoting democratic values and social cohesion.
Education for All: Ensuring equitable access to quality education by addressing barriers, enhancing digital skills, providing scholarships for vulnerable groups, and encouraging girls in STEM fields.
