Shehersaaz has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) with SOS Children's Villages Pakistan to implement climate adaptation interventions at SOS Children's Home, Rawalpindi, under the PROGRESSIVE Programme supported by the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR).

The collaboration will introduce practical climate resilience measures, including the installation of a rainwater harvesting unit, developing kitchen garden, awareness and capacity-building activities, and technical support to create safer, more sustainable educational environments. The partnership also reinforces commitments to child safeguarding, environmental sustainability, and community resilience while contributing to long-term climate adaptation efforts in Pakistan. Stay tuned while we begin another intervention of hope, growth and resilience.

RAWALPINDI — Shehersaaz convened its inaugural session, on the Dialogue Series titled "Women and Water" at Fatima Jinnah Women University (FJWU), Rawalpindi. The symposium brought together academics, development practitioners, municipal authorities, researchers, and community champions to examine the gender dimensions of water governance and outline actionable strategies for urban climate resilience in Pakistan.

Organized under the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR), the event established a framework for evidence-based discussions on addressing water scarcity, drought, and flooding across vulnerable settlements in Rawalpindi and Nowshera.

Key Takeaway: Sustainable water management requires transitioning from superficial public awareness campaigns to long-term community ownership, backed by gender-disaggregated data and youth stewardship.

Focus Area	Identified Deficit	Strategic Solution
Gender Inclusion in Decision-Making	Women manage daily domestic water needs but remain excluded from formal municipal planning.	Enforce direct participation of women in local water management boards and governance committees.
Urban Rainwater Harvesting	Higher adoption in rural zones compared to urban centers due to behavioral barriers.	Deploy household-level rainwater collection units supported by urban municipal incentives.
Behavioral & Incentive Models	Lack of sustained, generational resource conservation habits.	Integrate practical climate stewardship into primary school curricula and introduce water/energy credit systems.

Future Trajectory

The session concluded with calls for formal partnerships between municipal authorities (such as WASA) and university researchers to design localized, gender-responsive water retention initiatives.

Following the conclusion of the Rawalpindi proceedings, the Shehersaaz Dialogue Series moves to Lahore for its second session on gender-inclusive water governance.

54 Youth Leaders from Rawalpindi and Nowshera Present Community-Driven Climate Solutions at Shehersaaz's Youth Environment Assembly 2026

On the occasion of World Environment Day 2026, under the global theme "Inspired by Nature, for Climate, for Our Future", Shehersaaz successfully organized the Youth Environment Assembly 2026 in Rawalpindi and Nowshera, providing a platform for young people to present innovative, community-driven solutions to pressing environmental challenges.

Held on 4 June 2026, the Assembly brought together 54 youth representatives from underserved communities, including 32 participants from 8 Neighborhood Councils in Nowshera and 22 participants from 7 Union Councils in Rawalpindi. The initiative empowered participants to identify environmental issues affecting their communities and transform their ideas into practical projects aimed at building more sustainable and climate-resilient neighborhoods.

During the Assembly, the participating youth submitted 54 project proposals, each reflecting local priorities and innovative approaches to addressing environmental concerns. The proposals covered a diverse range of issues, including solid waste management, water scarcity, pollution, climate adaptation, environmental awareness, community sustainability, and resilience-building.

The Youth Environment Assembly is a flagship initiative of Shehersaaz designed to engage young people in meaningful dialogue and action on environmental challenges. The platform recognizes youth as key stakeholders in shaping sustainable communities and enables them to contribute solutions based on their lived experiences and local knowledge.

The project ideas presented during the Assembly were developed through a series of preparatory engagements and orientation sessions conducted in both Rawalpindi and Nowshera, equipping participants with the guidance needed to convert community challenges into actionable proposals.

As part of its commitment to youth-led climate action, Shehersaaz announced that selected projects will receive technical support and financial assistance for implementation. Approved initiatives are expected to move into execution within the next 30 days, allowing young people to transform their ideas into tangible community interventions with measurable impact.
By investing in youth leadership and community-driven innovation, Shehersaaz continues to strengthen local resilience, promote environmental stewardship, and advance sustainable development across Pakistan, demonstrating that meaningful climate action begins with empowering the communities that experience these challenges firsthand.

Strengthening its mission to foster safer, resilient communities, Shehersaaz has extended critical emergency response support to Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on 4th March 2026. This initiative is being implemented under the Project for Urban Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience (PUCCAR) and its associated program, Program for Safe, Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Education Places for All (PROGRESSIVE), supported by UN-Habitat and the Adaptation Fund.

This handover marks a key step in turning shared priorities into tangible outcomes. By equipping frontline responders with essential tools, the initiative directly contributes to improving emergency readiness and supporting timely response in high-risk situations.

Through this effort, Shehersaaz provided 06 foldable lightweight aluminum wheelchairs, 06 stretchers with aluminum rods, and 06 manual emergency sirens to strengthen operational preparedness. In parallel, 25 plastic planters and 02 compost bags were included to support environmental initiatives that contribute to healthier and more sustainable communities.

The equipment was formally received and verified by representatives of Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi through an established documentation process. This ensures accountability while reinforcing a partnership built on coordination and shared responsibility.

The support reflects a broader collaboration that extends beyond resource provision. Ongoing efforts include community awareness sessions, first responder trainings, and the development of localized safety mechanisms that enable communities to better navigate emergencies.

At its core, this initiative focuses on reducing vulnerability and strengthening systems that protect lives. By supporting both institutional capacity and community-level preparedness, Shehersaaz is helping create a more responsive and inclusive approach to urban safety.

As urban and climate-related challenges continue to evolve, such partnerships remain essential. Together with Rescue 1122, Shehersaaz continues to advance practical solutions that enable communities to respond effectively and build a more secure future.

In a significant step toward safer and more resilient communities, Shehersaaz formally signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Rescue 1122 Rawalpindi on 4th March.



This agreement marks the continuation of a fruitful collaboration that has been ongoing since early 2023 and underscores Shehersaaz’s commitment to building communities and educational institutions that are prepared, informed, and capable of responding to emergencies.



Over the past years, Shehersaaz has facilitated numerous initiatives in partnership with Rescue 1122, ranging from first aid training in public schools to the development of emergency response kits and the provision of technical guidance for community safety measures. The MoU now formalizes these efforts and paves the way for an expanded, structured collaboration aimed at strengthening the city’s resilience to natural and human-made disasters, while promoting inclusive and safe spaces for all.



Under the renewed partnership, Rescue 1122 will continue to lead first aid and community emergency response trainings, targeting schools and vulnerable Union Councils of Rawalpindi. Shehersaaz will play a critical role in identifying participants, providing logistical support, and developing resources such as a certified Community Safety Manual for use by trained responders and educational institutions. Additionally, both institutions will work jointly on initiatives including plantation campaigns, environmental regeneration, wall murals, and the placement of emergency response equipment to enhance safety infrastructure in communities.

The MoU also emphasizes inclusivity, with dedicated programs for transgender individuals and strategies addressing vulnerable points along River Lai, ensuring that interventions reach those who need them most. Importantly, this partnership is founded on mutual cooperation, technical guidance, and shared responsibility, reflecting Shehersaaz’s ethos of building resilient cities through collaboration and community engagement.

By formalizing this agreement, Shehersaaz continues to demonstrate its leadership in urban safety, disaster preparedness, and climate resilience, bringing institutions and communities together for a shared vision. Together with Rescue 1122, Shehersaaz is taking a meaningful step toward empowered communities that can respond, adapt, and thrive, reinforcing the organization’s mission to create safe, inclusive, and sustainable urban spaces in Pakistan.