The Youth programme focuses on capacity building, skills development, policy engagement and implementation. Donavan brings extensive experience in project management and implementation to his role, as well as strategic leadership within the education and development sectors. His work has focused significantly on youth development within the environmental sector, spanning environmental and sustainability education to bridging the gap between academia and the workplace to create employment opportunities for young South Africans. 

At the South African National Biodiversity Institute, he successfully managed the inaugural Groen Sebenza national program in 2013. This major skills development and job creation pilot program, funded by the National Treasury’s Jobs Fund Partnership Project, aimed to develop priority biodiversity sector skills and create sustainable jobs for 800 unemployed graduates and school leavers (matric certificate holders) over two and a half years. Donavan holds a Master’s in Education (with Distinction) from Rhodes University, as well as BSc and B.Ed degrees from the University of the Western Cape. He also holds a Certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation from Rhodes University. Inspired by the resilience of South African youth despite the challenges they face, Donavan is driven to empower and build their capacity to become active and responsible citizens shaping their own futures.