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Urban Youth Council: Young Leaders for Climate and Gender Justice in Bangladesh

Year: 2025

Country:

Bangladesh

Topics:

Capacity-BuildingGovernance

Region:

Asia-Pacific

About

Across Bangladesh’s secondary cities, the Urban Youth Council (UYC) initiative is changing how young people engage in local governance and climate action. Designed for women, marginalized, and underrepresented groups, the programme institutionalized youth participation and promoted gender equality and social inclusion in municipal decision-making. Over 2,000 young people have been trained, with more than 800 elected as council members, 50% of them women. Engaging over 15,000 residents, UYCs champion community led environmental initiatives, gender equality, and leadership. From climate-resilient urban planning to gender-responsive budgeting, youth councils are driving inclusive and sustainable change in cities across Bangladesh.

Climate Impact

Youth councils promote disaster preparedness, early warning systems, and community driven adaptation strategies to strengthen local resilience.
Public campaigns drive plastic reduction, encourage clean mobility, and promote waste segregation, reducing urban emissions and pollution.
Youth leaders engage in wetland protection and halt illegal resource exploitation.

Gender Impact

Gender-responsive budgeting and climate recommendations are integrated into municipal development plans.
Local campaigns have advanced girls’ education, promoted the ending of child marriage, and combated gender-based violence.
UYC alumni take leadership roles in NGOs, student bodies, and advisory boards, amplifying women’s voices.

Scalability/Replicability

The model has been replicated in Khulna, addressing salinity, water scarcity, and biodiversity challenges near the Sundarbans.
A low-cost digital electoral platform ensures transparent, inclusive, and violence free youth participation.
Institutionalized youth councils now shape local governance frameworks and inform national youth policy.