Youth-Led Urban Resilience & Climate Action in South Asia (Phase 2) | 2025 - 2026
Expanding youth-led climate resilience initiatives across the Maldives. Building on Phase 1 (2023–2024), this phase scales successful approaches and deepens youth leadership in climate adaptation
About the Programme
In partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Italian Red Cross, MRC is expanding its youth-led climate resilience initiatives across three urban Centres. Between 2023 and 2024, MRC's first phase of this initiative reached over 3,350 people across the Maldives. During phase 1, MRC trained 52 young changemakers through the Y-Adapt programme, developed heat action awareness campaigns reaching 2,200 people, published The Girl Who Grew a Beach (a children's book now showcased internationally), and mobilised youth in ecosystem restoration and coastal protection efforts. This foundation demonstrated the power of placing youth at the centre of climate action.
This second phase continues and scales what works. By equipping young leaders with enhanced knowledge, tools, and platforms to lead climate action across MRC's network, the project aims to reduce disaster risk, strengthen community preparedness, and build a climate-resilient future. The initiative aligns with IFRC's Global Strategy on Migration and Resilience, and is supported by the Italian Red Cross's commitment to strengthening National Societies in the Asia Pacific region.
Youth are not only the most impacted by climate change but are vital agents of change, innovation, and community mobilisation. Phase 2 deepens youth leadership, expands training and innovation platforms, and ensures that youth voices shape climate resilience across the Maldives.
Project at Glance
12 Months
Project carried out from September 2025 till August 2026
3 Regions
Interventions planned across all Active MRC Units
3500
Target Reach under the Project focusing on youth and community members
What the Project Aims to Deliver
Youth Climate Leadership
Through Y-Adapt training programmes and the Youth Climate Innovation Challenge, the project equips young people across MRC Units to understand climate risks, design solutions, and lead community-based adaptation initiatives.
Ecosystem & Urban Resilience
Scaling up plant nursery operations, coastal vegetation restoration, tree planting drives, and urban greening initiatives that strengthen natural defences and community engagement in environmental protection.
Community Education & Engagement
Publishing a climate-themed children's book tailored to the Maldivian context and developing an interactive climate and disaster risk reduction board game, turning complex concepts into accessible, engaging tools for schools and communities.
Youth-Driven Innovation
The Youth Climate Innovation Challenge brings selected youth together for intensive workshops, mentorship, and seed funding to transform climate ideas into actionable community projects that drive grassroots resilience.
All activities align with MRC's Strategic Plan 2019–2030, integrating into existing programmes to ensure continuity beyond the project. Educational tools will be reused across community events and festivals. Youth trained through this project will become local champions of climate action. Plant nurseries will continue supporting tree-planting and coastal restoration aligned with national strategies. By investing in youth leadership, the project builds a generation capable of sustaining community-led climate resilience for years to come.
Standing with Youth Communities
Young people comprise 80% of MRC's volunteer base and are at the forefront of climate action in their communities. This project recognizes youth not as beneficiaries alone, but as leaders, innovators, and drivers of change. By engaging the National Youth Council and Unit Youth Councils, the project ensures youth leadership shapes programme design and implementation, creating ownership and lasting impact.
About the Project & Parnters
This project is implemented by MRC in partnership with the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) and the Italian Red Cross (Croce Rossa Italiana) as part of a broader regional initiative to strengthen youth-led climate and resilience programming across South Asia.
Project Updates
YURC2026
MRC Delivers Y-Adapt Climate Change Training for Youth in GDh. Gadhdhoo
MRC conducted a Y-Adapt (Youth Adapt) training in GDh. Gadhdhoo this past weekend, engaging youth volunteers of the MRC Gadhdhoo Unit in a structured learning experience designed to build their understanding of climate change and inspire them to develop their own climate adaptation initiatives within their communities.
08 Aug 2026
YURC2026
Madhadhuveni 4.0 – Youth Climate Innovation Challenge: Empowering Youth to Lead Climate Action in Their Communities
From 22nd to 25th July 2026, MRC brought together 20 young people from four islands across Haa Alif and Haa Dhaalu, for Madhadhuveni 4.0 – Youth Climate Innovation Challenge, hosted by the MRC Kulhudhuffushi City Unit.
26 Jul 2026
YURC2026
Applications Open: MRC Madhadhuveni 4.0 – Youth Climate Innovation Challenge
The camp is open to young people aged 16–25 currently residing in Haa Alif, Haa Dhaalu, or Shaviyani Atolls. MRC will arrange travel and accommodation for selected participants not based in Kulhudhuffushi City. Participants under the age of 18 will require parental or guardian consent if selected.
28 Jun 2026
YURC2026
MRC Delivers Y-Adapt Climate Change Training for Youth in N. Velidhoo
27 May 2026