What is Samsoor Watan?
Samsoor Watan is a Dari and Pashto hybrid name that literally translates to “Green and Prosperous Homeland”. Samsoor Watan is a registered non-governmental, non-profit organization (NGO) based in Kabul, Afghanistan. As a grassroots, youth-led initiative, it serves as a network of environmental, climate, and sustainable development specialists, experts, and activists dedicated to protecting Afghanistan’s environment, advancing climate action, and fostering sustainability.
Our mission is to raise awareness about environmental issues, promote environmental protection, advance climate action, and encourage sustainable development through education, engagement, and meaningful action. Samsoor Watan is a voluntary, self-regulated community of young individuals striving to inspire Afghans to safeguard the environment, adopt sustainable lifestyles, and contribute to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
We believe that citizens’ knowledge and understanding of environmental issues are the cornerstones of environmental protection, climate action, and sustainable development. Empowering and educating individuals, fostering a culture of environmental stewardship, and encouraging active participation in climate and environmental activism form the foundation of our work. At Samsoor Watan, we are committed to undertaking activities that directly contribute to environmental conservation, combat the climate crisis, and support the global agenda for sustainable development. By working together, we aim to inspire change, empower communities, and pave the way for a sustainable future for Afghanistan and the region.
The Origins of Samsoor Watan
Samsoor Watan was born out of a vision to inspire environmental consciousness and action in Afghanistan, where academic institutions and civil society organizations were active in environmental efforts, yet a significant gap existed in mobilizing socially conscious youth to volunteer for environmental protection and climate action.
The journey began in 2018 when Nasratullah Mateen, the founder of Samsoor Watan, published his first book, Environmental Protection Culture, written in Dari, one of Afghanistan's national languages. Following the book's publication, Nasratullah created an online platform and blog titled Earth The Lost Heaven (ELH) to share the book's content and promote environmental awareness. The blog quickly gained momentum and engaged a growing audience of environmentally conscious individuals that came together to form an environmental network. Through persistent dialogue on social media and the media, Samsoor Watan expanded its reach, building a robust network of experts, NGOs, diaspora members, and academics. Over time, Samsoor Watan evolved from a simple blog into a dynamic movement, organizing impactful environmental and climate action campaigns.
Samsoor educates, engages, mobilizes and empowers individuals and communities so as to foster a greater understanding of environmental protection, climate action, and sustainability, and to help move towards a sustainable future.
Our vision is to create a green, resilient and sustainable Afghanistan equipped to alleviate the byproducts of the current climate crisis and become resilient to environmental challenges.
Our Team
Our Leadership
Mr. Sulimankhil is a passionate environmental expert and a leading advocate for climate action, serving as the co-founder and executive director of the Samsoor Watan Organization for Environment. With academic credentials in forestry, natural resource management, and agribusiness, he brings a wealth of expertise to addressing Afghanistan's pressing environmental challenges. A skilled strategist and community mobilizer, Sayedmuhammad is dedicated to fostering sustainable development initiatives that empower youth, uplift vulnerable communities, and promote resilience in the face of climate change. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to environmental advocacy drive Samsoor Watan's mission to create a greener, more sustainable Afghanistan.
Mr. Mateen is an environmental and climate change specialist with over 6 years of experience in training, advocacy, and community outreach in Afghanistan and the region. With a bachelor’s in Environmental Sciences and a MicroMasters in Leadership in International Development, his work focuses on climate action, social justice, and sustainable development. As the founder of Samsoor Watan, Mr. Mateen leads a dedicated network of environmental advocates committed to raising awareness, promoting environmental protection, and advancing sustainable development in Afghanistan through education, community mobilization, and impactful action. Mr. Mateen is also a vocal climate and social justice activist globally, and his activism has been featured in international media outlets like BBC, Daily Mirror UK, VOA, and Taz Germany.
Mr. Mamundzai is a seasoned professional in sustainable land and groundwater management with a solid academic foundation in agricultural science. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Agriculture Science and currently pursues a master’s degree in Land and Water Management from Ghent University, Belgium. Bringing over 5 years of experience to Samsoor Watan as the co-founder and board member, Tahir has worked extensively in natural resource management, food security, rural development, and sustainable livelihoods, contributing to impactful projects with both national and international organizations such as MAIL and FAO. His work reflects a vision of sustainability that begins at the grassroots level and expands to global impact.
Sosun Nayemi is a dedicated advocate for global health, environmental sustainability, and STEM education, with a strong passion for addressing the climate crisis. Holding a bachelor's degree in Applied Human Biology, she aspires to merge her knowledge and expertise in research with international development to create meaningful, lasting change in underserved communities.
In her role at Samsoor Watan as one of our diaspora team members, Sosun is committed to building strategic partnerships that drive impactful initiatives. She also actively volunteers as an ambassador for other non-profits in Afghanistan, focusing on securing funding for sustainable projects. Her efforts emphasize empowering youth and women through education and leadership, particularly in STEM fields, to equip them with the tools and skills to lead and contribute to innovative solutions for a better future.