Youth’s involvement at a young age is critical, as it fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment. By advocating for sustainable practices and making their voices heard, these young leaders are shaping the future of waste management in their communities.” 

— Palistha Manandhar 
Training and Capacity Building Officer, Project CAP 

Youth engagement not only addresses immediate environmental challenges but also inspires a collective movement towards a cleaner and healthier planet. When empowered, young people can lead transformative change in their communities. Therefore, it is crucial for organizations and governments to support and amplify the voices of young leaders in waste management to ensure a sustainable future. By investing in youth engagement and providing opportunities for leadership development, we can create a more inclusive and effective approach to environmental stewardship. 

Globally, youth are increasingly recognized as crucial change agents across various sectors, with a notable impact on environmental management and sustainability. In today’s world, young people play a vital role in combating climate change, bringing fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to the forefront. Representing 16 percent of the global population, they are emerging as key advocates for a low-carbon and climate-resilient future. Their increasing engagement in climate initiatives underscores their transformative impact through advocacy and action. Youth leverage their technological expertise to drive grassroots changes, manage environmental campaigns, and monitor local ecosystems. Additionally, they are instrumental in engaging communities and fostering a collective sense of responsibility for nature conservation. 

One urgent topic we tackle while talking about environmental concerns is plastic pollution. Thus, to achieve our broader goal of preventing plastic leakage in rivers of Nepal, we are actively involving young individuals through Project CAP. Youth have emerged as essential change agents in the fight against plastic pollution, inspiring meaningful action in their communities. Twelve young cohorts are further involving eighty-four youth in the project's working sites—Gajuri, Ichchhakamana, Bharatpur, Bardibas, Hetauda, Golanjor, and Lalitpur—as part of the youth engagement component. Out of the 186 young people that applied for the position, these talented individuals were shortlisted. This also clearly shows the youth's concern with and devotion to finding solutions to the world's environmental problems, such as the management of plastic waste.  

As part of the project, the selected youth were trained in understanding plastic pollution, developing activity plans, and organizing effective awareness campaigns. Through capacity-building training, these young individuals have been equipped with the knowledge and skills to understand the plastic waste management scenario in the context of rivers and explore its solutions. Through Project CAP, they were provided financial resources to conduct their planned activities to mitigate plastic pollution in their municipalities. The 12 selected youths have gained deep insights into plastic mitigation, the various types of plastics, and the power of advocacy and education. They have been empowered to return to their municipalities and take the lead in initiating positive change. 

After completing their training, the youth cohorts have taken proactive steps within their municipalities to combat plastic pollution. They have organized various initiatives, including river cleanup drives targeting significant hotspot areas where plastic pollution was highly evident. These efforts have not only addressed immediate environmental concerns but also drawn attention to the importance of proper plastic segregation and disposal practices. The youths have organized multiple awareness and advocacy programs across communities and schools, educating students from an early age and engaging individuals across all age groups in the cause. To date, they have successfully conducted eight youth group training sessions, twelve river cleanups, and fifteen awareness and advocacy events within their respective municipalities through Project CAP. 

By training other people in the community, including youth in their municipalities, they are expanding the movement, ensuring that more voices join the cause. This platform has allowed them to showcase their abilities, confront waste management issues directly, and become catalysts for change. Their early involvement is critical, as it fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility for the environment. By advocating for sustainable practices and making their voices heard, these young leaders are shaping the future of waste management in their communities. The success of their initiatives underscores the importance of involving youth in environmental action. By capacitating them to lead and bringing community members together, we are witnessing the emergence of a new generation committed to creating a cleaner, more sustainable future. 

I urge everyone to recognize and support the remarkable contributions of our youth. Their commitment to creating a cleaner, more sustainable future is inspiring, and together, we can help amplify their voices in the global movement for environmental change. Let’s empower our youth to be leaders in conservation efforts and provide them with the resources and support they need to make a difference. By investing in their potential, we are investing in a brighter future for all. Together, we can work towards a world where the next generation can thrive in a healthier environment. Let's listen to their ideas, amplify their voices, and take action to ensure a sustainable future for all.