A climate-smart initiative is creating a better world for youth in rural India

By Danielle Daley, digital community coordinator, Canada

Cameron Mackay interviewing a boy

Discover youth-led clean air initiatives empowering communities

“A healthy environment improves the quality of life for everyone,” affirmed Cameron MacKay, Canada’s high commissioner to India, upon celebrating the ongoing success of a climate-smart initiative in our India program this summer.

Thanks to support from the Canada Fund for Local Initiatives (a Canadian government initiative), and local partners — SPEECH, ROPES and IRCDS — we’re developing local youth leadership in South India through climate adaptation measures.

The goal of the Building Youth Leadership for Climate Action project is to improve the quality of life of nearly 100,000 children and their family members by creating safe sustainable low-carbon environments, reducing emissions in 110 villages.

MacKay saw how youth in Children Believe’s program are a big part of the change, playing an active role in building awareness, supporting eco-friendly practices and leading initiatives that will make a difference, such as tree planting.

And, as young people take the lead, they’re gaining confidence and courage to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in and be heard.

The project has already done a lot. So far, five oxygen parks with 7,500 trees have been established in five communities. And, youth clubs are maintaining the parks, doing their part to reduce carbon emissions.

As the project continues, you can help children and their communities in India fight climate change by giving a green gift from our catalogue today.

About Children Believe

Children Believe works globally to empower children to dream fearlessly, stand up for what they believe in — and be heard. For 60+ years, we’ve brought together brave young dreamers, caring supporters and partners, and unabashed idealists. Together, we’re driven by a common belief: creating access to education — inside and outside of classrooms — is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world.

About Childfund Alliance:

A member of ChildFund Alliance, Children Believe is part of a global network of child-focused development organizations working to create opportunities for children and youth, their families and communities. ChildFund helps nearly 23-million children and their families in 70 countries overcome poverty and underlying conditions that prevent children from achieving their full potential. We work to end violence against children; provide expertise in emergencies and disasters to ease the harmful impact on children and their communities; and engage children and youth to create lasting change and elevate their voices in decisions that affect their lives.

About Inspiring Stories

May 2025

Canada’s Opportunity to Lead: Education as a Path ...

As the G7 Summit approaches, Children Believe CEO Fred Witteveen calls on Canada to lead the world in supporting 12 years of quality education for all children—because education is key to global peace and prosperity.

May 2025

Menstrual Hygiene Day 2025

A new government program in Ghana is providing free sanitary pads to help girls stay in school. Learn how Children Believe is supporting this initiative to break down barriers and fight period poverty.

May 2025

From Despair to a New Dawn Varalakshmi’s Story of ...

A moving story of resilience—learn how Varalakshmi overcame poverty, loss and stigma to build a better life for her children with the support of Children Believe and its local partner in India.