Bhopal Workshop By TERI, British Council And Partners Trains Over 100 Young People In Eco-Centric Thinking, Sustainable Practices And Local Climate Leadership

The Bhopal chapter of the Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India initiative concluded on Friday after two days of activities that brought together students and young changemakers to learn about climate action, leadership, and community-driven solutions. The programme created a space for participants to explore practical strategies for tackling environmental challenges while building the skills needed to act as local climate leaders. Through interactive sessions and youth-led exercises, participants developed eco-centric thinking and discovered ways to design grassroots climate solutions.

The workshop was organized by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and its academic arm, TERI School of Advanced Studies (T-SAS), in partnership with the British Council and outreach partner Vishwa Yuvak Kendra. It aimed to equip more than 100 young people from Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Maharashtra with the knowledge and skills to understand local climate issues, adopt sustainable practices, and create adaptive, community-based solutions.

Stressing the crucial role of collaborative efforts in empowering youth, Ms Rashi Jain, Area Director West India and Country Business Development Lead at the British Council, highlighted the significance of partnerships. She stated, “We are thrilled to support the Climate Skills – Seeds for a Transition India initiative, delivered in collaboration with HSBC, which empowers young people to become active climate leaders. By equipping students with practical knowledge, global perspectives, and the tools to drive change in their communities, this programme exemplifies how partnerships and education can shape a sustainable future. The enthusiasm and commitment we have seen in Goa are truly inspiring, and we at the British Council look forward to witnessing these young changemakers lead India’s transition to a greener, more resilient tomorrow.”

Dr Dipankar Saharia, Senior Director, TERI, said, “The challenges of climate change are immediate and real. By equipping young people with knowledge, skills, and leadership, we are empowering them to turn today’s climate risks into tomorrow’s solutions.”

Hosted by the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), the Bhopal chapter featured hands-on sessions and youth-focused modules. Activities included group mapping, the ‘Problem to Opportunity Tree,’ climate change bingo, stakeholder mapping, and the ‘Youth Marketplace.’ These activities helped participants identify adaptation and mitigation pathways, turn climate challenges into actionable opportunities, and co-develop youth-led plans for climate-resilient communities. Speaking at the inaugural session, Dr. K Ravichandran, Director of IIFM, emphasized that empowering young people with the right tools and values today will ensure they become effective stewards of the environment in the future.

The initiative is supported by the British Council and HSBC, and is part of a global programme that also operates in Brazil, Indonesia, Mexico, and Vietnam. In India, it is implemented by TERI with support from partners such as the University of Mumbai and HSNC University. The workshops are being conducted across Goa, Delhi, Bengaluru, Bhopal, and Guwahati, leading up to a five-day Sustainability and Leadership Camp in Mukteshwar, Uttarakhand.

This camp will provide mentoring to youth as they design and implement social action projects within their communities and institutions, with a focus on leadership, sustainability, and grassroots climate solutions. With the conclusion of the Bhopal workshop, the initiative continues to strengthen networks of young leaders who are expected to play an important role in guiding India towards a greener and more climate-resilient future.