Greenpop

People & Nature Thriving Together

About Greenpop

Greenpop is an award-winning non-profit organisation dedicated to restoring ecosystems and fostering a deeper connection between people and nature across Sub-Saharan Africa. Through a diverse range of programmes, they bring practical, community-driven solutions to some of the region's most pressing environmental challenges.

We partner with Greenpop through their Living Landscapes programme, which focuses on ecological restoration and strengthening the relationship between communities and nature. Their work goes far beyond planting trees: they create sustainable urban green spaces and collaborate with schools, hospitals, and local organisations to establish food and indigenous gardens. They also train groundskeepers and host gardening days for groups and corporations. These projects align with Greenpop's vision of integrating people and nature to improve well-being, clean the air, regulate temperatures, and provide food and habitats for wildlife.

Their work spans:

• Forest Restoration – rehabilitating forest and woodland habitats by planting indigenous trees, managing critical catchment areas, and partnering with communities that rely on healthy forest ecosystems.
• Urban Greening – transforming cityscapes through indigenous gardens, green spaces, and environmental learning hubs in underserved urban areas.
• Food Gardening – encouraging self-sufficiency by helping individuals and households grow fresh, nutritious food at home.
• Environmental Education – creating opportunities for all ages to learn about sustainability, conservation, and climate resilience in accessible, engaging ways.

Looking ahead, Greenpop's soon-to-be-launched Academy will offer innovative courses in Regenerative Leadership, Systems Thinking, and Sustainable Development. These programmes will equip participants with new skills and opportunities, empowering local people to better manage and benefit from their natural resources so that both communities and ecosystems thrive.

At its heart, Greenpop believes in taking meaningful action, staying hopeful, and making environmental change joyful and accessible. Since launching in 2010, they have planted over 200,000 trees and engaged more than 356,000 individuals across South Africa, Zambia, Malawi, and Tanzania, each one playing a role in shaping a greener, more resilient future.

When you travel with us to Cape Town, the Winelands, the Whale Coast, the Garden Route, or the Eastern Cape, you directly contribute to these meaningful initiatives.

Living Landscapes: Greening Urban Communities

One of the many powerful examples of Greenpop's Living Landscapes programme is Philippi Village, a thriving community hub in one of Cape Town's most underserved areas. Once a neglected corner of the city, this space now hosts a range of services that promote social and economic development, including small business support, education initiatives, and safe gathering places for residents.

Through tree planting and community-driven greening, the Living Landscapes project transforms underutilised spaces into vibrant, nature-integrated areas. In sites like Philippi Village, Greenpop's work brings not only environmental benefits but also inspires community ownership and connection, turning grey spaces green, and creating opportunities for growth.

Gardens for Good: Nature-Based Learning in Schools

Greenpop's Gardens for Good initiative creates outdoor learning environments at schools across the region. By integrating indigenous gardens into school grounds, learners gain hands-on knowledge of ecology, food systems, and sustainability.

The programme includes planting days, teacher workshops, and groundskeeper training to ensure each site is maintained and used as an active learning space. Go2Africa's contributions help equip educators with the tools to deliver environmental education, while instilling a sense of responsibility and curiosity in the next generation. These gardens are not just green spaces, they're living classrooms that grow both food and future stewards of the planet.

Forests for Life: Restoring Indigenous Forests

In the Western Cape's Uilenkraal Valley, Greenpop is leading a long-term forest restoration initiative in collaboration with local partners. The Forests for Life programme is working to revive 45 hectares of degraded land across sites like the Platbos Forest Reserve and Bodhi Khaya Nature Retreat.

With a mix of natural regeneration and the planting of over 150,000 indigenous trees, this project combats invasive species, enhances biodiversity, and strengthens soil health. Beyond the environmental impact, it also supports local livelihoods through employment and skills development. By investing in reforestation, we're helping ensure South Africa's ancient forests,  and the life they sustain, are protected for generations to come.

Asociación de Go2Africa con Greenpop

At Go2Africa, we are committed to making sure that every journey serves as a force for good, helping to safeguard Africa's precious ecosystems. In Cape Town, as part of our vision for a world where people and nature thrive together, we contribute $5 for every guest who spends a night with us in the Western Cape.

Through this partnership, Go2Africa has supported both the Living Landscapes project in Philippi Village and the Forests for Life restoration programme in Uilenkraal. Our contributions have funded tree planting, school gardens, play spaces, irrigation systems, and hands-on environmental education.

Last year, Go2Africa funded the planting of 1,244 trees (bringing the total to 2,354 to date) and supported the creation of Philippi's Thembi Playpark, which now features 87 trees, 834 plants, 44 species, and a new jungle gym. These initiatives have enhanced local biodiversity, increased school engagement, and improved environmental learning opportunities for young people.