UNICEF YuWaah has been named the official Youth Engagement Partner for Mumbai Climate Week (MCW) 2026 . The event takes place in Mumbai from February 17 to 19, 2026 . This partnership aims to involve children and young people in climate action and policy discussions. Youth engagement activities, led by UNICEF India in collaboration with Project Mumbai and YuWaah, will begin in January 2026 .
Mumbai Climate Week marks India’s first city-led platform. It focuses on accelerating climate action through citizen-driven solutions for urban resilience. The initiative aims to translate global climate priorities into local action, particularly for the Global South. UNICEF India, YuWaah, and Project Mumbai will integrate youth voices, experiences, and solutions into climate dialogues and on-ground action throughout the week. They acknowledge the climate crisis as a child rights issue.
Youth Leadership in Climate Action
Cynthia McCaffrey, UNICEF India Representative, highlighted the role of young people. “Children and young people are powerful agents of change,” McCaffrey stated. She added that placing children at the center of climate solutions helps governments invest in their rights. “Mumbai Climate Week gives young people a platform to lead practical solutions on challenges like e-waste,” she noted. This demonstrates how youth can drive climate action today.
Campus Climate Roadshows
UNICEF YuWaah will organize Campus Climate Roadshows across select colleges in Mumbai. These roadshows will run from February 9 to 16, 2026 . Each roadshow will feature a signature e-waste installation. This installation was created under Special Campaign 5.0 of Eco Clubs for Mission LiFE. The Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, led this campaign in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
The installation spotlights youth-led action on e-waste and responsible consumption. The Roadshow aims to strengthen student participation in climate action. It also connects campus-level engagement with broader policy and civic conversations during Mumbai Climate Week.
Youth Green Innovation Challenge
To further advance youth-led climate solutions, UNICEF YuWaah supports the Youth Green Innovation Challenge. This national platform targets young changemakers aged 16 to 24 years . It forms part of MCW 2026. The Challenge invites youth-led innovations across three key themes:
- Food Systems
- Urban Resilience
- Energy Transition
Selected innovators will showcase their solutions at MCW. They will engage with experts and policymakers. The program explores opportunities for scaling and sustained support for their innovations.
Building Climate Advocates
Shishir Joshi, Founder and CEO of Project Mumbai, commented on the initiatives. "The Campus Roadshow and Youth Green Innovation Challenge exemplify what MCW stands for: turning ideas into action through conversations that matter," Joshi said. He added that these initiatives build a network of young climate advocates. These advocates will carry momentum beyond February and into their communities.
UNICEF India’s Broader Climate Commitment
UNICEF India integrates Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability programs across multiple sectors. These include health, nutrition, education, WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene), and child protection. Specific efforts involve climate-resilient health systems, heat and air quality action plans, and climate-smart schools. They also provide flood- and drought-proof water and sanitation services.
UNICEF also supports Mission LiFE and youth-led climate action. Its Meri LiFE platform has recorded more than 31.9 million pro-planet actions. Maharashtra’s Youth Engagement and Water Stewardship program has reached over one million young people. These initiatives underscore UNICEF’s commitment to youth-led climate solutions.