LocationsAt the YECAP Shakers Fellowship Demo Day, young leaders from across Pakistan showcased community-driven solutions for climate action.
Youth Shaping Climate Action
July 1, 2026
A grassroots community gathering in the village conducted by Amanullah Solangi.
On 18 April 2026, young climate innovators from across Pakistan came together to present solutions shaped by the realities of their communities, from textile waste and sustainable livelihoods to climate resilience and youth-led environmental action. Their ideas took centre stage at the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) Shakers Fellowship Pakistan Demo Day, a culmination of months of learning, mentorship, and collaboration focused on climate action, gender equality, and sustainable development.
Behind each project was a young leader driven by the realities they witnessed in their own communities. Some were motivated by the growing impacts of climate change on vulnerable populations, while others sought to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for women and youth or empower communities to become more resilient. Through the Shakers Fellowship, led by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and UN Environment Programme (UNEP), participants refined their ideas, strengthened their leadership skills, and transformed community challenges into practical solutions with the potential to create lasting impact. Over seven weeks, around 30 young climate leaders participated in mentoring and capacity-building sessions, with seven top-performing fellows ultimately selected to present their projects at Demo Day.
Each pitch carried a story of challenges faced, communities engaged, and futures reimagined. Their ideas spanned critical themes, from disaster preparedness and gender inclusion to green entrepreneurship and community empowerment and shared one common thread: a deep commitment to creating meaningful, lasting impact. A panel of judges, including representatives from UNDP Pakistan, engaged closely with participants, offering feedback and exploring the potential of the projects to deliver tangible impact.
For Memoona Shehzadi, climate action and economic empowerment go hand in hand. Her winning initiative, the “Green Transition and Digital Innovation Lab,” focuses on transforming textile waste into economic opportunity by equipping young people, particularly women, with green and digital skills through a train-the-trainer model. The project seeks not only to reduce environmental waste but also to create sustainable livelihood opportunities within local communities.
Memoona Shehzadi engaged in discussions on her project
“This fellowship has been a journey of learning, growth, and turning ideas into something practical and scalable. From understanding climate challenges and systems thinking to shaping our solution around community issues, each step helped me understand the bigger picture. Winning first place is a proud moment for me and motivates me to keep working toward meaningful climate action,”said Memoona, reflecting on her experience
Second-place winner Atia Hussain's project is rooted in supporting women artisans in underserved communities of Gilgit-Baltistan. By promoting sustainable fashion, strengthening skills, and creating market linkages, the initiative aims to improve livelihoods while encouraging environmentally responsible production practices. Her vision highlights how climate-conscious entrepreneurship can also advance women's economic empowerment.
For Amanullah Solangi, climate action begins with empowering young people to become leaders within their own communities. His project, “Climate Leaders of Matiari,” will equip rural youth in Sindh with climate literacy and AI-powered digital tools to tackle local challenges such as heatwaves, water scarcity, and waste burning. Through training, mentorship, and community-led action projects, the initiative aims to inspire practical solutions while building a new generation of climate champions.
To support implementation, the winners will receive seed funding – PKR 350,000 for first place, PKR 256,000 for second place, and PKR 163,000 for third place, to help them further develop and implement their ideas within their communities.
Yet, beyond the awards, the true success of Demo Day lay in something deeper. It was a powerful reminder that when young people are given the space and support to lead, they rise. Each fellow, whether selected or not, walked away with strengthened confidence, expanded networks, and a clearer path forward.
As the fellowship moves into its next phase, the winning projects will begin implementation with continued mentorship and support. At the same time, the wider YECAP network will remain active through ongoing exchanges and collaborative learning opportunities across the Asia-Pacific region.
Demo Day may have marked the end of the fellowship cycle, but for these young innovators, it was also the beginning of a longer journey, one focused on shaping local solutions, strengthening communities, and building a more resilient and sustainable future.
(Left): Atia Hussain engaging with rural women artisans in Gilgit-Baltistan, turning sustainable fashion into a pathway for empowerment, skills, and greener livelihoods. (Right): A grassroots community gathering in the village conducted by Amanullah Solangi.
Story by Sana Siddique, Project Assistant, UNDP Pakistan