SDC Foundation, Ramboll launch Project PAHAL 2.0 to build climate leadership among Dehradun youth
Dehradun: In an effort to strengthen climate education and nurture future environmental leaders, the Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, in collaboration with Ramboll, on Wednesday launched Project PAHAL 2.0 – Youth Climate and Leadership Programme at PM SHRI Government Girls' Inter College (GGIC), Rajpur Road.
The programme aims to equip students with a deeper understanding of climate change while developing critical thinking, problem-solving, communication and leadership skills through experiential and inquiry-based learning.
Speaking at the launch, chief guest and PM SHRI GGIC Principal Premlata Baudai stressed the need to enhance climate awareness and leadership among young people, saying schools have a crucial role in preparing students to address emerging environmental challenges.
Project PAHAL 2.0 builds on SDC Foundation's seven years of engagement with schools and seeks to move beyond awareness campaigns by providing practical, skill-based learning opportunities. Students will participate in interactive sessions, group discussions, quizzes, games, reflection exercises and other hands-on activities linked to real-world environmental issues.
Rishabh Shrivastava, Co-founder of SDC Foundation and the programme lead, unveiled the project's learning framework and said the curriculum would encourage students to question, analyse evidence and understand the links between climate change, society and sustainable development. He said the programme is rooted in the lived experiences of local communities and is designed to make climate education engaging and relevant.
During the event, SDC Foundation also released its baseline study, "Understanding Climate Education Needs for Young People in Dehradun," based on responses from over 700 students across the city. The study highlights students' existing knowledge and perceptions of climate change and will guide the design of the curriculum, learning modules and future climate education initiatives.
Founder of SDC Foundation Anoop Nautiyal said climate change is increasingly influencing the lives and futures of young people. He said Project PAHAL 2.0 aims to empower students with the knowledge, practical skills and leadership needed to contribute to environmental solutions in their schools and communities.
The launch was attended by students and teachers from several government and private schools across Dehradun, including PM SHRI GGIC Rajpur Road, CNI Girls School, Sophia High School, SGRR schools, GGIC Lakhibagh, GIC Khurbura, Sangam Public School and Sanatan Dharma Jhanda Ji Inter College, among others.
Teachers and students welcomed the initiative, saying experiential learning would help bridge the gap between classroom education and real-world environmental challenges while encouraging greater environmental responsibility among the younger generation.
Retired Major Rahul Jugran, Prerna Raturi, Sumati Virmani, Vidushi Dobhal-Naithani, Pyare Lal, Praveen Upreti, Abhishek Bhatt, Subhash and other members of SDC Foundation were present at the event.
The programme was coordinated by Dinesh Semwal, who also conducted the proceedings.
