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.