— a note from us
Our story.
Founded in 2022 as a programme under SustyVibes, rooted in the lived experiences of climate activists in Nigeria.
a beginning, somewhere in Lagos.
— how it began
The Eco-anxiety Africa Project (TEAP) was founded in 2022 as a programme under SustyVibes, rooted in the lived experiences of climate activists in Nigeria. Recognising the emotional toll of the climate crisis and broader environmental problems, TEAP set out to explore the scale and depth of eco-anxiety among young Africans. Our 2022 survey, which sought to understand the prevalence of eco-anxiety amongst Nigerian youths, revealed that 66.5% of Nigerian youths were experiencing eco-anxiety, while 44% had little to no access to supportive community spaces or mental health support.
Our research and projects confirmed that eco-anxiety is not confined to Nigeria alone but is being felt by young people across the continent. This is intensified by increasing floods, droughts, and heatwaves, alongside ongoing socio-political insecurity. Yet, despite the growing need, mental health care across Africa remains under-resourced.
TEAP addresses this critical gap.
— mission
Led by Africans for Africans, TEAP's mission is to support African youth in understanding, processing, and responding to the mental health impacts of climate change through research, advocacy, and culturally rooted initiatives that build wellbeing, resilience, and capacity.
— vision
As a result, our long-term vision is to be Africa's leading focal point for innovative initiatives and research that amplify African experiences at the intersection of climate change and mental health, while strengthening youth wellbeing, resilience, and capacity across the continent.
Beyond infrastructures, beyond tools and technologies - people also need to be resilient and psychologically adaptive to the climate crisis
Jennifer UchenduFounder, SustyVibes
— our areas of impact
Three ways we show up.
nº 01
RESEARCH
In-depth focus group discussions, data collection, reports and articles that evidence the prevalence of eco-anxiety in Africa.
nº 02
COMMUNITY-CENTRED PROGRAMMES
Innovative and creative programmes which incite action, wellbeing and resilience in local communities.
nº 03
SPACE-MAKING
Online and physical spaces to discuss emotions and support.
— our team
The people behind it.
Svetlana Onye
Svetlana Onye
Head, TEAP
Svetlana Onye is a climate justice researcher, writer, and movement-oriented practitioner working across mental health, human rights, and youth leadership. With over a decade of experience across human rights advocacy, climate journalism, and research, Svetlana's work has explored the gendered and psychological consequences of climate extraction, water scarcity, and environmental harm in Africa. She has spoken at COP29 and COP30, advocating for transparent governance and meaningful youth participation. Her engagement with the UK Government helped inform the creation of a Nature and Climate Youth Panel. Svetlana is a TuWezeshe Young Women's Leadership Fellow.
LinkedIn →.jpg)
Ayomide Olude
Ayomide Olude
Senior Programme Manager
Ayomide is an environmental researcher and practitioner designing and implementing development projects guided by principles of wellbeing, human rights, and sustainability. Ayomide currently explores the intersections between environment, intergenerational equity, and mental wellbeing through her work at TEAP.
LinkedIn →
Merit Nwachukwu
Merit Nwachukwu
Communications Associate
Merit is a writer, editor, and communications strategist working across fiction, poetry, and non-fiction. She employs storytelling as a tool for systems and social change, with a focus on environmental sustainability, climate mental wellbeing, and climate justice. She supports mission-driven organisations to translate complex ideas into narratives that resonate across communities and cultures.
LinkedIn →— our advisors
Trusted counsel.
Charles Ogunbode
Professor of Psychology, University of Nottingham
Jennifer Uchendu Kalu
Founder, SustyVibes