Plating roots of change: UPSHIFT in Korça
Aiming to empower youth to create tangible solutions for the climate crisis
The rising summer heat in Korça, a town once known for its cool summer climate and snowy winters, has become a stark reminder of the growing threat of climate change. With summer temperatures now soaring to unbearable levels, and snow becoming a rare winter phenomenon, young people are taking matters into their own hands. Motivated by their daily experiences with the shifting climate, they understand that the time for action is now—before the planet becomes uninhabitable for them and for all.
Armed with hope, energy, determination, and innovative ideas, groups of teenagers, including Anjel, Dhimitri, Nikola, and Marjo, were delighted when UPSHIFT arrived in their beloved town. UPSHIFT, this time, aims to empower youth to create tangible solutions for the climate crisis. The project’s arrival in Korça could not have come at a better time. For two intensive days, eleven youths worked under the mentorship of experts from ICTS Labs to design practical ways to combat climate change within their own communities. One of the groups called the “Green Schools” proposed an innovative yet simple solution—planting both fruit-bearing and decorative trees in their schoolyard “Stavri Themeli”. This would not only enhance the environment but also help mitigate climate change, all while beautifying their surroundings.
We realized that our school has no trees, and we know the value of trees for the environment. We thought this would fight climate change, and at the same time make our school look even better with decorative plants.
And indeed, their tree-planting idea has a dual purpose. Trees are nature’s silent warriors in the fight against climate change, absorbing carbon dioxide and providing shade to reduce heat. By involving other pupils and forming a volunteer group to manage and care for the trees, Green Schools envisions a future where Korça’s schools become greener and healthier spaces.
The impact doesn’t stop there. After planting the trees, the group plans to launch a website to promote environmental protection, featuring educational and entertaining games about air pollution. They aim to engage young people and communities in a modern way, replacing the outdated method of distributing magazines and flyers, which have lost popularity.
“We believe that games are an engaging and fun way to raise awareness about climate change and advocate for individual climate action. The website will also be accessible to children with disabilities,” Dhimitri explained.
“These ideas, small as they may seem, represent a profound shift in mindset. The youth of Korça have recognized that while global leaders debate climate action—and with COP 29 around the corner—real change begins at home, in their schools, and within their communities. By planting trees and establishing educational platforms to fight air pollution, they are contributing to a more sustainable future—one that their generation and those to come will benefit from,” says Murat Sahin, UNICEF Representative in Albania.
If left unaddressed, the climate crisis will only worsen, with devastating consequences for younger generations. Scientists warn that without immediate and significant action, rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation will make large parts of the planet uninhabitable. But through programs like UPSHIFT, young people like those in Korça are taking proactive steps to ensure that this future is not inevitable.
The initiative comes in the context of the project, “Youth for Air and Climate,” funded by the Government of Sweden and implemented by UNICEF in cooperation with the Ministry of Children and Youth and the Ministry of Tourism and Environment. The event in Korça is supported by the Embassy of Azerbaijan and implemented in partnership with ICTSLabs. It seeks to equip youth with the skills and resources to tackle climate-related challenges, providing them with the tools they need to build more sustainable, resilient communities.
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When you next visit “Stavri Themeli” in Korça, don’t forget to stop by the newly planted garden, a living proof of the power of youth-driven change. The decorative and fruit trees will soon stand tall, offering both beauty and hope—a green reminder that, through collective youth action, the fight against climate change is one that can be won.
