Our Youth Advocacy Groups under the EU-funded GreenShift Nepal project are rising to the challenge of climate change and plastic pollution through bold, public-facing campaigns. They are tackling climate change and plastic waste through creative approaches.
BAS Nepal’s Street Drama Turns Trash into a Teachable Moment
To spark local conversation on plastic waste and its health impact, BAS Nepal, our Youth Advocacy Group from Kohalpur Municipality, staged a compelling street drama on April 18 in Shaktinagar Tole. Performed with support from Kohalpur Municipality and attended by nearly 100 community members, the play used humor and relatable characters to emphasize the importance of ditching single-use plastic and embracing home waste segregation.
“Our goal was to take the message to people where they are, in the streets, in the marketplace, and make them reflect,” said Shivkumar Verma, President of BAS Nepal. “When people laugh and learn at the same time, that’s when change begins.”
The event also included the active presence of local leadership and community forest user groups, reinforcing collective responsibility.
Cycling for a Cleaner Future
Just five days later, BAS Nepal rolled out a second wave of awareness with a vibrant cycle rally on April 23. Over 100 cyclists, many carrying placards and slogans, pedaled through the city calling for climate-conscious living and eco-friendly practices. Along the way, the youth distributed fabric bags and encouraged onlookers to embrace sustainable alternatives.
“We wanted the city to see that reducing plastic is not just an idea, it is a lifestyle choice,” shared a youth participant. The event not only highlighted sustainable transport but also offered a powerful visual of unity and purpose on the streets of Kohalpur.
A Festival of Awareness in Janakpurdham
In a striking blend of tradition and activism, our Youth Advocacy Group from Janakpur Sub-metropolitan City, CARD Nepal, used the occasion of Janaki Navami (May 3), a revered Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Goddess Sita, to make a powerful statement about plastic pollution in Janakpurdham. Armed with bold placards in Maithili and a deep sense of urgency, they stood at the Janaki Temple and surrounding streets to engage with thousands of pilgrims.
“हमर आहाँके परिकल्पना पलास्टिक बिनाके जनकपुरधाम” (“Our vision is a plastic-free Janakpurdham”) read one placard, reflecting both pride and demand for change.
“Young people need to show the path forward,” said Anju Kumari Yadav, President of CARD Nepal. “If we wait for someone else to act, it may be too late.”
CARD Nepal’s initiative powerfully illustrated how culture and climate consciousness can go hand in hand, especially when led by young changemakers.
Through these campaigns, young people are proving that advocacy does not need a stage. It needs courage, creativity, and community. Restless Development is proud to support these actions that not only raise awareness but also build local ownership for long-term environmental resilience.
