About this project
Project Title: Greener Future: Youth-Led Forest and Climate Resilience Initiative
Location: Chandannath Municipality Micha Community, Jumla District, Nepal
The “Greener Future” project is a youth-led, community-based forest restoration and ecological conservation initiative designed to address the escalating impacts of climate change on vulnerable rural communities in Nepal. Initiated under PSDN’s ongoing environmental programming, the project aims to restore degraded forests using climate-resilient native tree species adapted to local ecosystems. It also supports biodiversity conservation, water source protection, soil erosion control, and ecosystem restoration—enhancing both community well-being and environmental sustainability.
Nepal’s rural communities are increasingly exposed to climate-related hazards such as floods, landslides, and prolonged droughts. This project offers a nature-based solution (NbS) to these issues by engaging youth and local stakeholders in restoring degraded lands and forests that can mitigate such risks. Tree planting not only reduces the impact of extreme weather events but also promotes carbon sequestration, helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and contributing to global climate targets.
A key component of the project is the promotion of clean energy alternatives to reduce dependency on firewood, which is the primary cooking fuel for 100% of households in the target area. The project will distribute Tier-3 improved cooking stoves, helping to reduce deforestation, decrease indoor air pollution, and improve health outcomes—especially for women and children. Currently, more than 80% of adults in the project area suffer from respiratory diseases such as asthma, largely due to prolonged exposure to smoke from traditional stoves.
The restoration approach also includes a sustainable forest use policy: trees harvested for timber after 30–40 years must be replaced with at least three saplings, ensuring long-term forest regeneration. This model balances ecological conservation with future livelihood opportunities for local communities.
The project strongly emphasizes youth leadership, with young people taking the lead in mobilizing community action, raising awareness, and monitoring restoration outcomes. Local forest user groups, women’s networks, and schools will be key partners, ensuring inclusive participation and sustainability.
Aligned with the goals of 1MYAC, this project contributes directly to:
SDG 13 – Climate Action
SDG 15 – Life on Land
SDG 7 – Affordable and Clean Energy
SDG 3 – Good Health and Well-being
By empowering youth to lead climate solutions, restoring ecosystems, and reducing reliance on unsustainable energy sources, the project provides a replicable model of community resilience and environmental stewardship. With 1MYAC’s support, “Greener Future” will inspire climate-smart action across Nepal’s most vulnerable landscapes and communities.
Goals and Objectives
The overarching goal of this youth-led climate action project is to develop a greener, climate-resilient environment in the Micha and Shreedhuska communities through ecosystem restoration and active community participation. This initiative directly supports local people in adapting to the intensifying effects of climate change and aligns with the global ambition of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while preserving biodiversity and natural resources.
The project targets 420 households with approximately 2,080 people—including youth, women, and marginalized groups—who are among the most climate-vulnerable populations. These communities were selected based on their high exposure to environmental degradation, water scarcity, landslide risks, and overdependence on firewood for daily energy needs.
Specific Objectives:
To restore degraded ecosystems through widespread plantation of climate-resilient tree species, with a focus on reforestation in school premises, riverbanks, public spaces, and community lands.
To mitigate climate-related hazards—such as landslides, floods, and soil erosion—by protecting water sources, improving ground cover, and promoting sustainable land management practices.
To empower local communities by improving livelihoods through forest-friendly income generation, such as agroforestry and herbal plant cultivation.
To promote awareness and behavioral change by mobilizing youth clubs, women’s networks, and schools to lead climate action and ecosystem restoration efforts.
To reduce deforestation and indoor air pollution by introducing clean energy solutions (improved cooking stoves) and decreasing dependence on firewood.
Sustainability and Scaling Up:
The project will establish community ownership through training, policy enforcement (e.g., “3 trees for 1” replacement model), and institutional partnerships. Local youth will serve as long-term custodians. The model is designed for easy replication across other climate-vulnerable regions in Nepal, with strong potential for scaling up through local government and youth networks.
Expected result
The "Greener Future" project is designed to produce clear, measurable, and sustainable outcomes aligned with our climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and community empowerment goals. The following results are framed using the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) approach and will be monitored through youth-led reporting, community involvement, and partner collaboration.
1. Ecosystem Restoration and Greening
7,000 climate-resilient native trees will be planted in Micha and Shreedhuska communities over a 12-month period. These trees will include a mix of timber, fruit, fodder, and soil-binding species suited to the local environment.
Minimum 80% tree survival rate will be ensured through community-based monitoring, regular care, and post-planting follow-up by local forest user groups and youth eco-stewards.
8 hectares of degraded or vulnerable land will be restored, including hillsides, riverbanks, school premises, and public lands, contributing to slope stabilization, erosion control, and biodiversity conservation.
2. Climate Change Mitigation and Clean Energy Transition
420 Tier-3 improved cooking stoves will be distributed to all households in the project area, reducing 100% dependency on firewood for cooking and significantly cutting greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution.
Indoor air quality will improve for 2,000+ individuals, especially women and children, who currently face respiratory diseases due to smoke from traditional stoves. By the end of the project, at least 75% of families will report reduced respiratory symptoms.
An estimated 30 tons of firewood use per month will be offset through improved stoves, contributing directly to forest protection and emission reduction.
3. Youth Engagement and Community Awareness
80+ local youth volunteers (with gender balance) will be trained and mobilized as “Youth Climate Champions” to lead awareness campaigns, monitor restoration efforts, and engage the community.
4 school-based WASH and eco-education campaigns will be conducted, reaching 500+ students and encouraging youth-led environmental responsibility.
Two Eco-Stewardship Committees will be formed at ward level to sustain project activities, supervise plantations, and promote forest-friendly community practices.
4. Livelihood and Community Well-being
150 households will initiate small-scale, forest-based livelihoods using planted fruit and herbal species, improving food security and income over the long term.
70% of participants will demonstrate improved knowledge and attitudes on sustainable land use, forest conservation, and clean energy adoption based on baseline and endline assessments.
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Monitoring will be conducted monthly through a team of PSDN staff, youth volunteers, and local stakeholders using checklists, mobile surveys, and field inspections. Midline and endline evaluations will assess progress, impact, and replicability.
Partners
About me / organisation
Dr. Bijay Bhusal
Dr. Bijay Bhusal is a good experience in health, education and Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) and climate mitigation. He has been leading PSDN's forest restoration and conservation initiatives across five different regions of Nepal, successfully fostering strong partnerships with government bodies, local stakeholders, and international aid organizations such as the UNCCD, Plant-for-the-Planet Foundation, ARCSA International, and Global Water Works.
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