UNICEF and the Austrian Development Agency unite to engage adolescents on climate action

25 February 2020, YEREVAN – UNICEF and the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, launched a three-year project today, entitled “Adolescents for Climate Action in Communities,” aiming to combine adolescent’s demand for climate action with sustainable solutions and responses by communities across Armenia.

Current climate conditions in Armenia result in drought, heat waves, flooding, landslides, hailstorms, frost, rock falls, flash floods, mudflows and avalanches. This leaves a negative impact on the livelihoods and food security of rural communities. No one is more affected by a changing climate and its implications than children and adolescents.

“UNICEF believes that these conditions can be slowed down. Engaging with adolescent boys and girls at community-level is key to driving climate action for a better future,” said Liv Elin Indreiten, UNICEF Armenia Representative OIC. “With the support of ADA, we plan to reach and engage 28,000 adolescent boys and girls from 496 schools in 52 consolidated communities in Armenia to not only improve their knowledge on climate change but also empower them to act as climate agents in their communities through their schools.”

With this project, UNICEF aims to showcase the importance of integrated and improved curricula and learning on climate change and environmental issues in schools through the application of 21st century skills and linking their learning to the development and improvements in their communities.

By November 2022, UNICEF plans to train 2470 schoolteachers and administrators on climate change and environmental issues, enhance school curricula and develop learning materials that will effectively engage students in taking actions to mitigate climate change in collaboration with local authorities and the community at large.

UNICEF will also work with 530 regional administrators and local government representatives to develop viable mechanisms for integrating strategic climate action in the community development plans and budgets, guided by the principles of child-friendly communities.

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"Adolescents for Climate Action in Their Communities” (2019-2022), funded by the Austrian Development Agency (ADA) with funds of Austrian Development Cooperation, and implemented by UNICEF in partnership with Ministries of Environment, Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, Education, Science, Culture and Sport. The project will be coordinated with consolidated communities, marzpetarans, schools and teachers, and, more importantly, adolescents.

Austrian Development Cooperation supports countries in Africa, Asia, South Eastern Europe and South Caucasus in their sustainable development. The Federal Ministry for Europe, Integration and International Affairs plans the strategies. The Austrian Development Agency (ADA), the operational unit of Austrian Development Cooperation, implements programmes and projects together with public institutions, civil society organisations as well as enterprises.