Islamabad : On the eve of World Environment Day 2026, Shehersaaz; The Trust of Cities and Citizens organised Youth Environmental assemblies, simultaneously, in Rawalpindi and Nowshera, bringing together more than 70 young men and women from underserved and vulnerable communities of these cities to present their innovative, community-driven solutions for addressing pressing environmental and climate challenges faced by their areas, says a press release.
These Youth Environmental Assemblies were held on 4 June to celebrate World Environment Day 2026 with its theme of Climate Action. The assemblies provided a platform for young people to highlight environmental and climate issues affecting their communities and transform their ideas into practical micro projects for building sustainable and climate-resilient urban neighborhoods.40 young women and men from eight Neighborhood Councils of Nowshera and 30 from seven Union Councils of Rawalpindi city participated in these assemblies. The participants presented their project proposals addressing a wide range of local environmental issues and climate concerns, including waste management, water scarcity, pollution, climate adaptation, disaster risk reduction, environmental awareness, community sustainability, and resilience-building.
The Youth Environmental Assembly is a Shehersaaz initiative designed to meaningfully engage young people in constructive dialogue and action for environmental sustainability and climate resilience. The platform recognizes youth as key stakeholders in building sustainable communities and provides opportunities for them to design innovative solutions based on their lived experiences and local knowledge.
During the assemblies, participants shared their project concepts developed through a series of preparatory engagements and orientation sessions conducted in both cities. The proposals reflected the priorities and environmental realities of their communities while demonstrating the creativity and leadership of young people in addressing climate and environment related challenges.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, representatives from Shehersaaz emphasized that effective climate action requires the meaningful participation of young people, particularly those living in communities that experience environmental and climate challenges firsthand. They added that by investing in youth-led solutions, Shehersaaz aims to strengthen local resilience, promote environmental stewardship, and foster sustainable development at the grassroots level.
