UN Habitat Nepal held a two day workshop on “Youth Engagement in Climate Action through the Localization of the Sustainable Development Goals” on 9 and 10 October 2025 in Pulchowk, Lalitpur. The workshop was part of the project “Accelerating Localization of Integrated Climate Action in Nepal”. The project is funded by the Joint SDG Fund and carried out together by WFP, UNDP and UN Habitat. The event brought together 53 participants, including 28 women and 26 young people between the ages of 18 and 30, representing universities, civil society and municipal and development partners.
Strengthening youth leadership for local climate action
The workshop focused on building the confidence and skills of young people to design and lead climate solutions in their own communities. It also created a space where youth could learn from one another and connect with local government officials and SDG localization efforts. Participants included individual youth climate advocates and representatives from several organizations such as CIUD, Lumanti, Clean Up Nepal, Chay Ya Nepal, the Institute of Engineering, Kathmandu University and ICIMOD.
Over two days, sessions combined technical learning with creativity, reflection and wellbeing activities. Young people discussed their understanding of the SDGs and identified the climate risks they see around them every day. They spoke about air pollution, waste management, water shortages, flooding and the loss of trees and green spaces as some of the most pressing concerns in their communities.
Exploring practical pathways to resilience
Experts from UN Habitat, the Kathmandu Valley Development Authority and UNEP shared examples of climate challenges in urban areas and discussed practical solutions. They introduced ideas such as nature based solutions, green building methods and community organized approaches to waste and recycling.
A Human Centred Foresighting Design workshop, facilitated by Utopia, helped participants turn their concerns into ideas. Through exercises like the Sailboat reflection and creative group challenges, including a newspaper fashion activity, young people explored new ways of looking at local problems. They worked together to imagine solutions linked to circular economy practices, environmental awareness, better use of data and stronger partnerships with local authorities.
From ideas to prototypes
Participants then moved into a prototyping stage where they created storyboards to visualize their ideas. These included community systems for reusing water, a youth counselling and information centre that supports those experiencing climate anxiety, digital tools that make it easier for citizens and local officials to talk to one another and everyday biodegradable alternatives to plastic items.
The programme also included a session on the Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, an introduction to opportunities with UN Volunteers and inspiring talks from youth leaders and sports professionals. These moments reminded participants of the importance of ethics, personal wellbeing and supportive networks when working for climate action.
Strong engagement and a call for continued involvement
Feedback from the workshop showed strong enthusiasm. Sixteen respondents rated the workshop as excellent and all participants said they believed young people could influence climate action at the local level. Many expressed a desire for more regular, practical learning opportunities and for more young people to be involved in decisions made by municipalities.
The workshop ended with a shared commitment to take these ideas forward and turn them into action in local communities. UN Habitat will continue to work with municipalities, universities and civil society partners to support young people, introduce design thinking approaches and expand locally led and youth driven climate solutions across Nepal.
Original publication: https://unhabitat.org.np/featured_news_detail/driving-local-climate-solutions-youth-workshop-in-lalitpur
Note:
All joint programmes of the Joint SDG Fund are led by UN Resident Coordinators and implemented by the agencies, funds and programmes of the United Nations development system. With sincere appreciation for the contributions from the European Union and Governments of Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Monaco, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland for a transformative movement towards achieving the SDGs by 2030.
