Climate anxiety is real. Youths around the world are increasingly stressed about the future of the planet we call home. Even though developing countries have contributed to climate change the least, they are the ones immediately hit by its effects, and Nepal is no different. The longer monsoons, the melting glaciers in the Himalayas, the thick smog that engulfs the Kathmandu valley are just some examples of what Nepali citizens face every day. What if we prioritized the youth’s concerns and helped build a world that they can thrive in? What would happen if we turned that anxiety into action?

Led by Volunteer Services Overseas, Promoting Inclusive Resilience and Accountability through Youth Association Strengthening (PRAYAS) works with youth-led organisations and youth leaders to help change the perspectives of youth, to build their hope and become active decision makers in their future. As the leaders of tomorrow, the youth of Nepal must actively engage in climate change advocacy and disaster risk management so that the policies and laws that will affect them address these pressing issues. With the support of the European Union, PRAYAS has worked with 15 youth-led organisations and engaged with over 1,000 youths, media and volunteers on disaster risk reduction and climate change adaption advocacy in Madhesh and Karnali Provinces. These youth leaders also had the chance to interact and build relationships with provincial level officials so that they can help strengthen the meaningful participation of youth in climate policy.

At the local-level, youth leaders and youth-led organisations have worked closely with their ward officials to develop the Ward Climate Resiliency and Disaster Plan. After their training, these now climate-informed leaders have helped their communities by assessing the community’s vulnerability and needs, prioritizing key hazards and mitigation measures to help to build the ward’s disaster plan. The youths have raised the needs that will affect their immediate community and future the most and incorporated them in the Ward Climate Resiliency and Disaster Plan. PRAYAS has also conducted various activities to increase youth engagement in their communities such as public hearings led by youth leaders, COVID-19 vaccination and mask campaigns, and roundtable discussions on youth involvement in climate policy as well as sustainable entrepreneurship and circular economy trainings.

PRAYAS will work to continue building collaborative relationships between government and youth. By engaging both parties, the project has developed a culture where youth voices are recognized, appreciated and included in future decision making, particularly in climate and disaster policies. PRAYAS works to take the feelings of hopelessness that many young people face in the midst of climate change, and, instead, build their skills to become the change makers that their communities need.