Sustainable Run For Development (SURUDEV), a leading environmental organisation in Cameroon, has officially become a member of the Global Waste Cleaning Network (GWCN). This membership, valid from 1 February 2025 to 31 January 2028, aligns SURUDEV with an international network dedicated to waste management and environmental conservation.
The Global Waste Cleaning Network is a non-profit organisation that brings together NGOs, educational institutions, and companies from both the private and public sectors. The network focuses on tackling global waste management challenges and promoting conservation efforts across oceans, coastlines, land, and the atmosphere.
SURUDEV’s recent activities highlight its strong commitment to environmental preservation. During the celebration of World Wildlife Day on 3 March 2025, the organisation engaged 130 pupils from CBC Binka in Dunga Mantung Division in discussions on wildlife conservation in the Njising-Tabenken landscape. The pupils participated in preparing 100,000 polythene pots to host 10,000 native tree species for planting in the upcoming season and received wildlife posters showcasing species found in the area.
Recognised for its impact in restoring wetlands and fragile landscapes, SURUDEV was awarded the 2024 Wetland Restoration Development Award by the Cameroon Climate Journalism Network. The award ceremony, held on 2 February 2025, formed part of the activities marking World Wetlands Day under the theme "United for a Common Future."
The organisation has played a key role in restoring over 100 hectares of degraded forest habitat, rehabilitating ten water catchments, and establishing an eco-village along with three nurseries, each capable of producing 40,000 native tree species annually.
As part of its commitment to sustainable development, SURUDEV has trained 150 farmers in sustainable agricultural techniques, including agroforestry, composting, market gardening, and permaculture. More than 200,000 trees have been planted across 40 hectares in the Bamenda Highlands to enhance soil health and restore degraded landscapes.
SURUDEV also supports alternative livelihoods, working with 200 forest users—hunters, farmers, and grazers—to adopt sustainable income-generating activities. Through collaborations with local councils and communities, ten water catchments in the North West Region have been protected, and a three-hectare bio-demonstration farm has been established, providing training for 50 individuals in the cultivation of crops such as garlic, onion, okra, watermelon, and pepper.
With climate change posing increasing threats to ecosystems and communities, SURUDEV’s membership of GWCN enhances its ability to tackle environmental challenges on a global scale. By joining forces with international partners, the organisation aims to expand its efforts in waste management, conservation, and climate resilience, contributing to a more sustainable future.