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.

Earth Day Celebrated at SOS Children’s Village Through “Naya Safar: A Journey of Hope, Growth and Resilience”

In celebration of “Earth Day”, Shehersaaz organized a vibrant and meaningful event at SOS Children’s Home as part of “Naya Safar: A Journey of Hope, Growth and Resilience”—a year-long program designed for children and caregivers that focuses on emotional development, creative healing arts, green skills, safety, climate adaptation, resilience, inclusivity, and future readiness.



The event brought together over 40 children, SOS staff members, and volunteers from S&P Global, whose active participation and support helped ensure the smooth execution of a joyful and engaging day for everyone involved.

 



The “Earth Day” celebration was carefully designed to nurture environmental awareness while encouraging creativity and connection with nature. Children enthusiastically participated in clay pot painting followed by planting activities, where they decorated pots and planted greenery as a symbol of growth and responsibility toward the planet. Another engaging activity included recycled cloth bag leaf printing, allowing children to creatively repurpose materials while learning the importance of sustainable practices.

One of the most exciting highlights of the day was a new collaborative initiative with SANDLE-Earth, where children learned to create eco-friendly sand candles using soy and beeswax. Crafted directly in sand molds, the activity offered an innovative, zero-waste, sustainable, and child-friendly introduction to conscious making.



The celebration also included environmental awareness and nature appreciation sessions, helping children understand the importance of caring for the planet and adopting environmentally responsible habits in their daily lives.

 

A powerful pledge activity followed, where all children collectively promised to protect Planet Earth and use its natural resources responsibly. This commitment was further reflected in one of the day’s most touching activities: children writing heartfelt love notes to Mother Earth. These notes, filled with promises, gratitude, and affection for nature, were lovingly hung on the trees — transforming the surroundings into a living expression of hope and care for the environment.

The event concluded with healthy beverages and nutritious snacks, allowing children, staff, and volunteers to come together and celebrate a day filled with learning, creativity, and community spirit.



Shehersaaz extends its sincere appreciation to S&P Global for their continued support and for providing the opportunity to implement impactful interventions at SOS Children’s Home through Naya Safar: A Journey of Hope, Growth and Resilience.

At Shehersaaz, we believe meaningful change begins with care, connection, and collective responsibility. Through programs like Naya Safar, we are not just building individuals we are nurturing ecosystems of care, resilience, and sustainability for generations to come.

 

Shehersaaz, accomplished yet another milestone by successfully concluding its PROGRESSIVE program, for which a ceremony was held in Rawalpindi. This included a formal handing over of Rainwater Harvesting Units to 18 government schools-a new benchmark toward climate-resilient and eco-sensitive learning spaces.

This occasion brought together officials from the education department, school principals, project teams, and community partners, and other stakeholders to celebrate this milestone. The CEO, District Education Authority Rawalpindi, Tariq Mehmood appreciated Shehersaaz for being a strong advocate of sustainable education through strengthening school-level resilience via practical community-centered solutions.

Project Manager Dr. Beenish gave an insightful overview of the PROGRESSIVE initiative within the project PUCCAR. She explained how each Rainwater Harvesting Unit was designed, installed, and integrated within school routines for better water security and increased environmental awareness among students and teachers alike.

A dynamic question-and-answer session with on-site engineer Abdullah further highlighted technical processes, key challenges, and the collaboration that shaped the success of the program.

The Disaster Risk Reduction component in the PROGRESSIVE program is very robust, preparing the students for real-life challenges. Specifically targeted trainings in first aid, solid waste management, and care for the environment have equipped the students with the skills to segregate wastes, produce compost, and establish kitchen gardens in their respective schools. All these activities give hands-on practice to the students while building a culture of responsibility, preparedness, and climate consciousness.

The signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation with principals of the 18 participating schools was the defining moment of the ceremony. This is where each school formalizes its commitment to maintain the systems provided and takes full ownership of all components contributing to its transformation into a PROGRESSIVE SCHOOL.

The program, which is implemented in partnership with UN Habitat and the Adaptation Fund, comprises far more than just water-related solutions-it involves urban farming and energy-efficient measures, too, thereby transforming schools into active hubs of both resilience and sustainability.

It was followed by the 29th anniversary celebration of Shehersaaz, which marked almost three decades of leading sustainable urban development and community-based climate action. PROGRESSIVE reflects the unwavering vision and capability that constitute Shehersaaz's success. Combining innovation and collaboration to engage with communities, Shehersaaz further shapes smarter, safer, and more sustainable cities for future generations.