Simplifying Climate Knowledge, Inspiring Action.
This proposal aims to make climate-knowledge more accessible to the masses in Bangladesh by simplifying jargon intensive complex climate policies and technical concepts discussed in conferences like COP. The goal is to educate Bangladeshi youth on the climate policies that impact lives daily, fostering greater awareness and engagement in local and national dialects.
To achieve this, we will develop a micro-learning portal featuring audiovisual and text-based resources created with input from climate experts. By doing so, the project hopes to create a climate-conscious society and inspire the next generation of climate-policy changemakers.
Background and Rationale
At COP 28 & 29, we observed how policies with regards to Bangladesh significantly impact the lives of the general population, yet only a small percentage are aware of or understand these crucial policies, leaving others to decide their future while they have no say.
The project aims to bridge this gap by creating a Bangla-language micro-learning portal, simplifying complex climate policies like mitigation, adaptation, and just transition.
By providing expert-developed jargon free content, the platform will equip Bangladeshi youth with the knowledge to understand and engage with climate issues affecting their lives.
Project Objective
- Raise awareness about climate policies, such as mitigation, adaptation, and just transition, by simplifying and localizing them for Bangladeshi youth (even in local-dialects where necessary).
- Provide accessible, easy-to-understand resources to bridge the knowledge gap between policy and the general population.
- Empower youth to engage with climate challenges and become active participants in climate solutions.
- Facilitate partnerships with organizations such as the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, environmental clubs in schools and universities, and platforms like C3ER, Brac University & EMK Center to amplify the project’s impact and reach grassroots.
- Allow for productive dialogue on climate-policies by the general population and break well-established myths.
Where We Are:
Currently, the majority of Bangladesh’s youth, particularly in climate-vulnerable regions such as the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) and other marginalized areas, lack access to comprehensive climate education. Despite Bangladesh being one of the most climate-impacted countries, there is a significant knowledge gap when it comes to understanding the policies discussed in international forums like COP28 and COP29. A report from the UNFCCC highlights that nearly 80% of Bangladeshis are unaware of the specific climate policies that directly affect their livelihoods. The complex jargon and technical nature of climate discussions further alienate the masses, preventing meaningful engagement. As a result, the voices of these youth, who are most affected by climate change, are not adequately represented in the decision-making process, leaving them powerless in shaping the policies that will determine their future. However, we have a network of 100 super leaders who have been actively working to understand climate change and involve marginalized communities in activism. This network is committed to raising awareness and fostering grassroots movements, but the scale of the challenge remains vast. Additionally, we have signed an MOU with BRAC University and developed a climate curriculum in local dialect aimed at educating the youth from marginal areas who are most vulnerable, further strengthening our commitment to equipping the next generation with the knowledge and tools needed for climate action.
Where We Want to Go:
Building on our proven track record of mobilizing change and leveraging our network of super leaders, we aim to reach even more people with our digital transformation. Our vision is to create a comprehensive online platform that simplifies climate knowledge and makes it accessible to all. By leveraging digital technologies, we will develop a micro-learning portal that uses audiovisual content and simplified text to break down complex climate policies into digestible, localized information. This platform will empower youth, especially those from CHT and other vulnerable regions, by providing them with accessible resources that allow for continued education and engagement. Over the next three years, we aim to raise awareness and engage 10,000 new youth from marginalized areas in climate activism and direct green efforts. Through strategic partnerships with key institutions such as the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education, environmental clubs, and organizations like EMK Center, we will amplify our reach to the grassroots. By harnessing digital innovation and building on the strength of our existing super leaders, we aim to create a broader, more engaged climate-conscious society, enabling the next generation to actively participate in shaping climate solutions.
Project Beneficiaries
Primary/Direct Beneficiaries:
- Bangladeshi Youth:
Students in secondary schools, colleges, and universities will have direct access to localized and simplified resources on climate policies. These materials will empower them to understand how global policies, such as those discussed in COP28 and COP29, impact their daily lives and future prospects. The initiative will inspire them to become changemakers in climate-related fields. - Teachers and Educators:
Teachers will benefit from expert-developed resources, such as lesson plans and videos, which can supplement their curriculum and enhance climate education in classrooms. The platform will also serve as a professional development tool, equipping educators with accurate and engaging teaching materials.
Secondary/Indirect Beneficiaries:
- Parents and Communities:
As youth engage with and disseminate climate knowledge, parents and local communities will indirectly gain awareness of critical climate issues and policies. This ripple effect will encourage collective action and behavioral changes at the community level. - Policy Stakeholders and Environmental Organizations:
A more informed youth population will contribute to shaping public discourse on climate policies. This will support policymakers and organizations in designing and implementing more inclusive and effective climate strategies, with increased public buy-in. - Future Generations:
By equipping today’s youth with climate knowledge, the project lays the foundation for sustainable practices and advocacy that will benefit future generations. Empowered individuals will contribute to long-term societal resilience and innovation in climate adaptation and mitigation.
Project Activities
- Identifying Climate Knowledge Gaps:
- Collaborate with climate experts to identify key climate policies (COP28 and COP29 outcomes, pillars like Mitigation, Adaptation, and Capacity Building) that are relevant to Bangladeshi youth but under-communicated.
- Evaluate existing resources to pinpoint areas that require simplified and localized content.
- Developing Engaging Educational Content:
- Create audiovisual lessons and text-based resources in Bangla, ensuring accessibility for diverse audiences.
- Focus on relatable examples from everyday life, linking global policies to their impact on Bangladesh’s people and environment.
- Incorporate expert-reviewed lesson plans that include topics like NDCs, Just Transition, and Loss and Damage.
- Pilot Testing Micro-Courses:
- Design and launch a small pilot course focusing on one COP pillar, such as Mitigation.
- Engage a select group of students and environment club members to test the course.
- Gather feedback on clarity, usability, and engagement for improvements.
- Building the Knowledge Portal:
- Develop an intuitive, user-friendly micro-learning portal to host the educational content.
- Integrate features such as interactive quizzes, progress tracking, and certification through partnerships like C3ER, Brac University & EMK Center .
- Expanding Reach through Networks:
- Collaborate with university and school environment clubs to promote the portal.
- Partner with the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education for wider dissemination to schools.
- Scaling Content Development:
- Post-pilot, expand the content library to cover all COP pillars and other critical climate topics.
- Regularly update the portal with current climate developments and actionable insights.
- Promoting Climate Awareness Campaigns:
- Organize workshops, webinars, and social media campaigns to engage broader audiences and drive traffic to the portal.
- Highlight the importance of policies discussed in COP conferences and their implications for Bangladesh.
- Fostering Future Changemakers:
- Equip youth with a deep understanding of climate policies and actionable insights to inspire climate-conscious leadership.
- Encourage active participation in environmental clubs and community initiatives.
Outreach Strategy:
| Objective | Media Channels | Details |
| Increase awareness of the existence of the platform. | Social Media (Reflective Teens social page, bitesize news platforms e.g. Nutshell Today) | We will leverage social media platforms to introduce the micro-learning portal through visually engaging posts, short videos, and infographics. Partnerships with platforms like Nutshell Today will help present climate content in a simplified, shareable format to reach wider audiences. |
| Greater grassroots participation | Reflective Teens’ 300+ School Network | By utilizing Reflective Teens’ existing network, we will collaborate with schools to directly promote the platform, encourage students to explore its resources, and organize school-level climate awareness campaigns to ensure widespread engagement. |
| Implementation of climate policy awareness into educational curriculum | Dialogue with the Department of Secondary and Higher Education | Through strategic discussions with the Department of Secondary and Higher Education, we aim to integrate climate policy education into existing curricula, ensuring long-term impact. This collaboration will facilitate institutional endorsement and resource dissemination. |
| Make the portal accessible without the internet to enhance inclusivity and usability for underprivileged students. | Mobile operator apps like MyGP, MyRobi, and MyAirtel. | Collaborate with major mobile phone operators to integrate the learning portal into their operator apps. The portal will be accessible without an active internet connection for subscribers. This partnership can involve zero-rating specific educational content to ensure students from underprivileged backgrounds can continue learning seamlessly. |
| Increase student engagement and peer motivation through tangible and visible rewards. | School distribution programs, offline events, and social media promotions. | Design an incentive system where learners earn rewards (e.g., certificates, branded bags) after completing five micro-courses. These rewards will be distributed in collaboration with schools or local education offices. The visibility of these rewards (like school bags) will create curiosity among peers, encouraging more students to join the program. |
| More hands-on learning and connection opportunity | Physical seminars | We will organize interactive seminars and workshops in schools and universities, led by climate experts, to offer real-time learning opportunities and inspire students to engage with climate solutions actively. These events will strengthen practical understanding and peer collaboration. |
Project Timeline and Schedule
Phase 1: Research and Content Development
- Task 1: Collaborate with climate experts to identify and outline key topics from recent climate conferences, focusing on pillars like mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. Ensure materials are relevant for Bangladeshi youth (February Week 1–3).
- Task 2: Develop basic course pedagogy and draft scripts for video lessons and prepare text-based lesson plans in Bangla.(February Week 4–March Week 2).
- Task 3: Review initial drafts with experts for accuracy and effectiveness, incorporating their feedback (March Week 3–4).
- Task 4: Develop, finalize, and upload content for a single pilot course. Prepare accompanying quizzes and supplementary resources (April Week 1).
- Task 5: Launch the small pilot course to a limited school audience to test user engagement and collect feedback from a sample group (April Week 2).
- Task 6: Incorporate pilot feedback and finalize content for all courses (April Week 3–4).
Phase 2: Portal Design and Development
- Task 1: Design the micro-learning portal with a user-friendly interface, including sections for audiovisual lessons, quizzes, and supplementary materials (March Week 1–2).
- Task 3: Upload pilot course content to test platform functionality (March Week 3).
- Task 4: Resolve technical issues, enhance design based on feedback, and prepare the portal for full-scale launch (March Week 4).
Phase 3: Outreach and Partnership Building
- Task 1: Reach out to schools, universities, and environmental clubs to introduce the platform and recruit pilot participants (April Week 1–3).
- Task 2: Collaborate with the Directorate of Secondary and Higher Education to promote platform usage within school programs and curricula (April Week 4). Timing for this may vary.
- Task 3: Reach out to organisations like the C3ER, Brac University & EMK Center to partner and certify the micro-courses and enhance their credibility (May Week 1–2).
Phase 4: Pilot and Full Launch
- Task 1: Conduct a wider launch of all courses, focusing on diverse schools and universities for broader feedback (May Week 3–4).
- Task 2: Collect detailed feedback from participants and refine both content and platform features (June Week 1).
- Task 3: Officially launch the full platform with a coordinated awareness campaign, including social media outreach and partnerships with media outlets (June Week 2).
Project Outcome
- Bangladeshi youth become more informed about global and national climate policies, enabling them to understand their relevance and impact on daily life.
- A fully functional Bangla-language micro-learning platform, offering engaging educational content, becomes a go-to resource for climate literacy.
- Enhanced participation of students and youth in climate discussions, with a focus on policy engagement and advocacy.
- Strengthened partnerships with schools, universities, and environmental clubs, creating a nationwide network for climate education and action.
- A new generation of climate-conscious individuals equipped to drive sustainable practices and policy innovations in their communities.
- Improved accessibility to climate knowledge for underserved communities through localized and simplified resources.
- Integration of climate education into co-curricular activities in schools and universities, fostering long-term behavioral and attitudinal shifts.
- Recognition of youth-driven climate initiatives and solutions, inspiring peer networks to take action.
- Increased capacity among educators and institutions to incorporate climate policy awareness into teaching practices.
- Empowerment of young leaders who are equipped to address climate challenges at both local and national levels.
- Stronger community-level engagement in climate resilience efforts, driven by informed and motivated youth advocates.
- Contribution to national climate goals by bridging the gap between public awareness and policy implementation.
About the initiator:
Reflective Teens (RT) is a Bangladesh-based non-profit organization established in 2013 as a registered trust. It aims to empower under-resourced schools throughout the country by designing innovative solutions that address the challenges these schools face.
Supported by:
Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER), BRAC University, was established in 2011. C3ER’s Vision is to craft sustainable & adaptive solutions for society, and its targets are to be established as a cutting-edge research and academic institute in Bangladesh working in the field of climate physical science and natural resources management. C3ER has extensive expertise in climate change adaptation, mitigation, loss and damage, natural resource management, knowledge sharing, capacity building, Remote Sensing, GIS and databases, policy advocacy, and governance, etc. Since its establishment, C3ER’s primary goal as an academic research institute is to generate new knowledge, share it with other stakeholders, and influence policymakers. C3ER adheres to the principle of “Leave No One Behind.”