Climate Skills Initiative Reaches Bhopal, Strengthening Youth Networks for Sustainability

29 September 2025, Bhopal: The two-day Bhopal chapter of the Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India initiative concluded on Friday, convening students and young changemakers to engage in hands-on learning about climate action, leadership, and community-driven solutions. Participants explored practical strategies to address environmental challenges while enhancing their capacity to act as local climate leaders.

Interactive sessions and youth-led activities build eco-centric thinking and grassroots climate solutions

Organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and its academic arm, TERI School of Advanced Studies (T-SAS), in collaboration with the British Council and outreach partner Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, the workshop offered a mix of interactive sessions, creative exercises, and reflection activities. The programme seeks to empower over 100 youth from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra with knowledge and skills to understand local climate issues, adopt sustainable practices, and develop adaptive, community-based solutions.

The Bhopal chapter, hosted by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), offered a series of hands-on sessions and youth-centric modules. Activities ranged from group mapping and the ‘Problem to Opportunity Tree’ to interactive exercises such as climate change bingo, stakeholder mapping, and the ‘Youth Marketplace.’ These sessions enabled participants to discover pathways for adaptation and mitigation, translate challenges into actionable opportunities, and co-create youth-led action plans for climate-resilient communities. During the inaugural session, Dr K Ravichandran, Director, IIFM, underscored that empowering young people with the right tools and values today would ensure they become effective custodians of tomorrow’s environment.

Highlighting the importance of partnerships in youth empowerment, Ms Rashi Jain, Area Director West India and Country Business Development Lead, British Council, remarked, “We are thrilled to support the Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India initiative, delivered in collaboration with HSBC, which empowers young people to become active climate leaders. By equipping students with practical knowledge, global perspectives, and the tools to drive change in their communities, this programme exemplifies how partnerships and education can shape a sustainable future. The enthusiasm and commitment we have seen in Goa are truly inspiring, and we at the British Council look forward to witnessing these young changemakers lead India’s transition to a greener, more resilient tomorrow.”

Reflecting on the urgency of the climate crisis, Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, said, “The challenges of climate change are immediate and real. By equipping young people with knowledge, skills, and leadership, we are empowering them to turn today’s climate risks into tomorrow’s solutions.”

Supported by the British Council and HSBC, the India leg of the global programme (also active in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Vietnam) is being implemented by TERI along with partners such as University of Mumbai and HSNC University. The workshops will cover Goa, Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal, and Guwahati, leading up to a five-day Sustainability and Leadership Camp in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand. The camp will mentor youth to design and implement social action projects within their institutions and communities, focusing on leadership, sustainability, and grassroots climate solutions.

With the Bhopal workshop concluding successfully, the initiative continues to nurture networks of young leaders who will play a pivotal role in steering India towards a greener, climate-resilient future.

Also Read: Coffee Board Opens Draft Sustainability Standards for Indian Coffee to Stakeholder Feedback

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