On July 17, 2025, as part of the EU-funded GreenShift project, Youth Advocacy Group CARD Nepal from Janakpurdham Sub-Metropolitan City organized an inter-school art competition under the Sanitation and Hygiene Awareness Drive. Held at the Janakpurdham Chamber of Commerce Seminar Hall, the event brought together students from four Climate Smart Schools and one additional local school to creatively express ideas around waste management and environmental responsibility.
Themed “Art for Action: Waste-Free Future and Environmental Responsibility,” the competition featured 15 participants who used art to visualize a cleaner and more sustainable Janakpurdham. The program opened with welcome remarks from Mr. Shyam Kumar Sah, who introduced the GreenShift initiative and highlighted the role of youth in environmental action.
Students showcased artworks addressing plastic pollution, recycling, and the importance of keeping surroundings clean. The pieces reflected both environmental understanding and personal commitments to change.
Dipa Karna, a Mithila art specialist, shared, “Through colors and brushes, children painted a cleaner future. Their imagination is our inspiration. This art competition is a genuine step towards building a cleaner Janakpurdham.”
Anjali Pandit, a Grade 9 student from Rastriya Ma. Vi. Rupaitha Belhi, said, “This competition helped me understand how harmful plastic is. I want to stop using plastic at home and tell others in my community too.”
The event concluded with reflections from teachers and guests, who appreciated the students’ creativity and awareness. Mr. Shyam Kumar Sah remarked, “Today, we witnessed how powerful the voices and creativity of young people can be in advocating for environmental protection. Your artwork didn’t just express talent, it carried a message of hope, responsibility, and change.”
This activity is part of a series of youth-led interventions across Nepal under the GreenShift project. By supporting student-driven initiatives like art competitions, cleaning campaigns, and waste management systems, GreenShift continues to inspire a generation of young leaders committed to climate action and circular economy solutions.
