The two-day workshop at NIT Goa marks the launch of a nationwide initiative to equip 500 young changemakers with climate skills, leadership training, and tools for grassroots sustainability projects.
Goa became the starting point on Tuesday for a transformative youth-led movement as young changemakers convened for the regional launch of “Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India”, a programme designed to empower students with tools and knowledge to drive climate action. The two-day workshop, hosted at the National Institute of Technology (NIT) Goa, marked the beginning of a series of training and leadership initiatives that will reach 500 young people across India.
The initiative, spearheaded by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and its academic wing TERI School of Advanced Studies (T-SAS) in partnership with Vishwa Yuvak Kendra, is supported by the British Council and HSBC. India’s leg of this global programme—also active in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Vietnam—will include workshops in Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal, and Guwahati. The journey will culminate in a five-day Sustainability and Leadership Camp in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand, where select participants will receive mentorship to design and implement social action projects within their campuses and communities.
At the inaugural session, Prof. O.R. Jaiswal, Director of NIT Goa, emphasized the pivotal role of young voices in shaping India’s sustainable future. “You are not just the leaders of tomorrow—you are changemakers of today,” he told participants. Dr. Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, underlined the urgency of preparing youth for the climate crisis, reminding them that climate change is a lived reality already manifesting through floods, heatwaves, and other extreme weather events.
The workshop featured expert-led discussions, including a session on “Technology Interventions for a Sustainable World” by Dr. Lalat Indu Giri, and a leadership talk on “People, Planet & Passion” by Dr. Saharia. Interactive sessions guided students on aligning their skills with purpose-driven climate action and initiating locally relevant projects.
The broader aim of “Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India” is to create long-term networks of youth leaders capable of fostering eco-centric thinking and grassroots climate solutions. By combining structured training, mentorship, and hands-on project development, the programme seeks to nurture informed advocates who can advance India’s sustainable development goals and inspire global impact.
With Goa setting the tone, the initiative is sowing the seeds of transition—empowering India’s next generation to grow into resilient, climate-conscious leaders and drive a greener future.