With 1,245 young people engaged across 20 districts, Youth for Policy’s (YfP) latest environmental campaign demonstrated that meaningful climate action can start at the grassroots and with youth in the lead.
Building on last year’s initiative, this year’s “Greener Earth for a Better Tomorrow 2.0” expanded its reach and deepened its focus on community engagement. From classrooms and coaching centers to riversides and local marketplaces, YfP volunteers led sessions that encouraged participants to reflect on environmental challenges and take action. The campaign directly reached 1,245 individuals — including 517 males, 722 females, and 6 individuals identifying as other genders — making it one of YfP’s most inclusive campaigns to date.
Unlike traditional awareness programs, this campaign was designed and delivered by young volunteers at the local level. They facilitated discussions on climate change, plastic pollution, tree plantation, and everyday sustainable practices — making complex environmental issues accessible and actionable for their peers.
In Bagerhat, Nilphamari, Mymensingh, and beyond, youth organized tree-planting drives, led quizzes and discussions in schools, and encouraged their communities to reduce plastic use. “I learned how to plant trees and why it matters — and I’m teaching my family now,” said Mariya, a student from Gaibandha. Another participant reflected, “This was the first time I understood how climate change connects to my village.”
Despite challenges such as academic calendars and logistical limitations, the volunteers successfully adapted their plans. The campaign’s impact was visible in the form of new tree saplings, cleaner public spaces, and a stronger sense of responsibility among young participants.
Schools in several districts expressed interest in hosting similar workshops throughout the year. Teachers noted that students became more curious about climate issues and more confident in expressing their ideas after participating in the sessions.
“This isn’t just about one campaign,” said a YfP facilitator from Rangpur. “It’s about building new habits, planting ideas, and showing that even small actions — like saying no to plastic or planting a tree — can lead to meaningful change.”
As Bangladesh continues to face the realities of climate change, youth-led initiatives like this are proving that solutions don’t always need to come from the top. Sometimes, they begin with a small group of young people — and a seed in the ground.