Green citizens – Healthy cities

Vietnam’s rapid development has come at a cost – rising pollution, vanishing green spaces, and deepening climate risks. Yet one group is uniquely positioned to change that: its youth. 

Green Citizens – Healthy Cities is a dynamic response to this urgent moment, mobilising adolescents in Quang Nam to lead the shift toward sustainable, climate-smart cities. Co-created with local authorities, schools, and civil society, the project bridges gaps in environmental awareness, practical skills, and civic participation. Through hands-on learning, community action, and youth-led innovation, it transforms students from passive observers into confident changemakers – shaping greener neighbourhoods, healthier lifestyles, and more resilient cities for all. 

Quick facts

Country: vietnam

Cities: Hoi An and Tam Ky

Project Timeline

March 2024

September 2026

Project Consortium

Center of Live and Learn for Environment and Community (Live & Learn) (Lead Partner)

Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Nam province
People’s Committees of Tam Ky and Hoi An cities
HiVOOC
Think Playgrounds

About the project

The Green Citizens – Healthy Cities project empowers adolescents to become changemakers in their communities. By building their knowledge, confidence, and connection to local sustainability efforts, the project helps young people actively shape greener cities and turn their ideas into replicable models for lasting urban impact. 

Key interventions

Capacity building for local adolescents and youth

Practical toolkit/manual and interactive capacity building events in Tam Ky and Hoi An to strengthen adolescents and youth’s abilities and foster their active participation in building green and healthy cities.

Supporting in-school sustainable urban development initiatives

Supporting student-led initiatives through regular coaching/mentoring and connecting them with relevant experts and resources.

Capacity building for stakeholders to engage young people in sustainable urban development

The approach strengthens stakeholders’ capacity to support adolescents and youth participation in urban development initiatives and local agendas through practical manuals and awareness raising events.

Creating spaces for adolescents and youth participation in local agendas

Engaging adolescents and youth in local agendas through participation opportunities, access to local resources and expert networks, and support for multi-level adolescents and youth dialogues with local agencies.

Promotion of adolescents and youth engagement in building green and healthy cities

The project will document and share successful local adolescents and youth practices through hybrid platforms and annual sharing events to promote their integration into urban development strategies at local and provincial levels.

Project Consortium and Partnerships

The project is led by Live & Learn, in collaboration with local stakeholders (the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Quang Nam Province, People’s Committees of Tam Ky and Hoi An cities, the Divisions of Agriculture and Environment of Tam Ky and Hoi An cities, and the Divisions of Education and Training of both cities, the Youth Union, the Women’s Union, schools, etc.) and technical partners (HiVOOC, TPG, etc.) to coordinate project implementation and creating favorable conditions to engage adolescents and youth in local programmes and agendas.