ACT Indore: Adolescents for Climate Transformation

Indore – a vibrant Smart City in the heart of India – is home to a fast-growing adolescent population. Known for its top-tier educational institutions and for being India’s cleanest city, Indore also attracts thousands of young migrants each year. But behind these achievements lie urgent gaps: too many adolescents lack access to life skills, meaningful participation, and a voice in shaping the city they live in. Climate change is further straining their wellbeing, making the need for action more critical than ever.

With strong local leadership, active youth-focused organisations, and national attention, Indore stands out as a city where bold ideas can turn into real change – and where young people are ready to lead.

Quick facts

Country: india

Cities: Indore

Project Timeline

March 2025

August 2026

Project Consortium

Youth Ki Awaaz (Lead Partner)

Start Up!, SHEDO, AAs Indore, Nzuri Hastakatha Enterprise

About the project

ACT Indore empowers adolescents to lead the transformation toward a healthier, more climate-resilient city. Through collaboration with local authorities, youth will design an engagement framework, launch storytelling campaigns, and spark public awareness. A dedicated fellowship will equip adolescent leaders with advocacy and engagement skills to influence local decision-making.

Key interventions

Adolescent Fellowship

100 young leaders trained in leadership, storytelling, and advocacy to spark change related to climate health in their communities.

Youth-led city engagement

Fellows launch local initiatives and collaborate with urban local bodies through a dedicated Adolescent Board to influence local governance.

Storytelling & advocacy

Powerful digital and on-ground campaigns amplify adolescents’ lived experiences of climate change and drive awareness.

Youth ACT framework

A co-created strategy brings adolescent and community voices into Indore’s urban planning, shaping healthier, climate-resilient futures

Project consortium and partnerships

The project is led by Youth Ki Awaaz, a youth-driven platform for civic participation and storytelling. It brings together local partners SHEDO, AAs Indore, and Nzuri Hastakatha – organisations with deep roots in youth development and community-based work. StartUp! joins as the knowledge partner, and the project is implemented in collaboration with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA), a leading urban think tank bridging the gap between research and practice to drive practical, inclusive solutions.