Catalysing youth leadership across the Indian Himalayan Region

The Indian Himalayan Region, known for its rich ecological diversity, is also among the most vulnerable mountain ecosystems—facing the triple planetary crisis of unsustainable development, biodiversity loss, and climate change. In this context, youth play a vital role as agents of change, raising awareness about the importance of mountains and driving community-based action.

IUCN in collaboration with The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) successfully conducted series of Himalayan Changemakers (Youth4Himalaya) Experiential Interactive Workshops across five IHR states. The workshops were held at partner schools across Jammu, Ladakh, Dehradun, Shimla and Sikkim, engaging over 300 young participants. The workshop provided a platform for youth to engage in critical discussions, cross-learning and connect with each other. The interactive sessions were immersive, introducing key environmental themes such as climate change adaptation, biodiversity conservation, and sustainability through the lens of local contexts, culture and challenges. 

Participants are empowered as Master Trainers—equipped with training kits and learning tools to become Himalayan Changemakers. They are encouraged to lead peer-based initiatives in their schools and communities, turning knowledge into action and inspiring meaningful, on-the-ground change.

Meenal Pahuja/IUCN

Himalayan Chagemaker Workshop at Leh

IUCN launched Himalayan Changemakers Experiential Interactive Workshops, as a part of Youth4Himalaya under Himalaya for the Future initiative to galvanise environment leadership among the Himalayan Youth and mobilize their fresh ideas and energy. As part of a larger initiative, the Youth4Himalaya workshops aim to build a dynamic network of over 800 young leaders across all 13 Indian Himalayan States and Union Territories—sparking imagination, leadership, and long-term engagement. The programme aligns with Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), a national movement led by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India and supported by TERI.

IUCN-TATA initiative, 'Himalaya for the Future', supported by the TCS Foundation, TATA Group, aims to develop a strong basis for nature-based solutions underpinning development, which will result in a significant legacy of improved social, economic and environmental conditions in the Himalayan region. The initiative focuses on 7 thematic areas: forest & ecosystem, sustainable livelihood, wildlife conservation, water resources, clean energy, urban resilience and sustainable waste management, tied with 5 crosscutting areas: climate change, nature-based solutions, gender, disaster risk reduction and traditional knowledge.