The problem
Big issues like climate change and environmental damage need local solutions that fit each community. Young people have the passion and creativity to help, but they often don’t have the tools or spaces to make a real difference in their local communities.
Goals
- Help young people become leaders in tackling global problems locally.
- Teach communities about climate change and sustainable living.
- Build partnerships to make local projects more powerful and effective.
Approach
The Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, is a global network of youth-led hubs focused on creating meaningful local impact. With hubs in over 150 countries, young people work together to tackle big challenges like climate change and sustainability.
Each hub is powered by the creativity and energy of young leaders, who develop solutions that fit their communities. The program offers training, tools, and resources to help young people turn their ideas into action and create real impact.
Features
Global Shapers focus on teamwork, new ideas, and grassroots projects to make a difference. They lead everything from awareness campaigns to hands-on activities like tree planting and waste reduction. Even with limited resources, they succeed by planning smart and partnering with local groups. Their initiatives range from public awareness campaigns to hands-on solutions for environmental challenges, often overcoming resource and logistical constraints through effective planning and partnerships.
- In Calabar, Nigeria, the Zero Waste project runs school campaigns, social media outreach, and community collaborations to reduce waste and teach climate-conscious habits.
- In Geneva, Switzerland, the Climate Reality Campaign helps people shrink their carbon footprints through workshops and public events.
- In Kigali, Rwanda, the hub runs tree-planting and sustainability workshops to fight deforestation.
Lessons learned
When young people are given the tools and support they need, they can lead real change. By focusing on what each community needs, these projects make a lasting impact and inspire more people to get involved in creating a better future.
Find out more: https://www.globalshapers.org/home
What you can do
Find likeminded people in your area: https://www.globalshapers.org/hubs