22 youth-led climate innovations showcased in 2026 Green Rising Expo
Young innovators present community-tested solutions to strengthen climate resilience across the Philippines
Twenty-two youth-led climate innovations from across the Philippines were showcased at the Green Rising Expo at the UNILAB Bayanihan Center in Pasig City on 14 May 2026.
Developed and tested by young people in their communities, the initiatives address locally identified climate and disaster resilience challenges. The Expo brought the young innovators together with representatives from government, the private sector, and academic institutions to discuss technical support, partnerships, and opportunities to scale their work.
The Green Rising Fund provided seed funding and hands-on training to help young people develop, test, and refine solutions to climate and resilience challenges in their communities. Following a nationwide search, young leaders joined a bootcamp in November 2025 to turn their ideas into practical action plans. Six months later, 22 innovations had been field-tested and were ready to be presented to partners and stakeholders.
Youth solutions rooted in communities
Each initiative responds to a climate and disaster resilience challenge identified in a local community. Together, the projects show how young people are contributing as researchers, designers, communicators, organizers, and technical partners in climate action.
During the Expo, youth grantees shared what they had learned during implementation, including what worked, what needed to be adjusted, and what support would help their solutions expand. They also answered technical questions and discussed possible collaboration with participating institutions.
“This Expo is not the finish line. It is a milestone,” said Brooke Yamakoshi, Chief of Climate, Environment and Resilience at UNICEF Philippines. “Because when young people lead, communities benefit. And when communities benefit, the entire country becomes stronger and more resilient.”
Building on earlier youth action
The Green Rising Fund builds on the Kabataang Resilient Programme, a multi-stakeholder initiative by UNICEF Philippines in partnership with government and the Positive Youth Development Network (PYDN). KRP supports children and young people to strengthen community resilience through skills development, youth-led action, advocacy, and participation in relevant decisions and programmes. Green Rising Fund, in its first year, supported 16 community initiatives that reached more than 3,000 young people nationwide.
The programme demonstrates how seed funding, training, mentorship, and access to partners can turn youth-led ideas into practical, field-tested solutions that strengthen community resilience and contribute to longer-term climate action.
Explore the 22 innovations
Learn more about the ideas, young innovators, and community-based approaches behind the 22 solutions.
