The Swedish NGO Barnfonden, the Spanish NGO Educo and the Italian NGO WeWorld are launching the initiative Grow the Future to make children affected by environment and climate crisis part of the solution. Children are the most vulnerable to the effects of environmental degradation and climate change, especially those living in poverty.
Three leading child-focused NGOs—Barnfonden (Sweden), Educo (Spain), and WeWorld (Italy) announced the launch of Grow the Future, a groundbreaking initiative that aims to change the world by giving children and youth affected by environmental degradation and climate change the tools to adapt, a voice to engage and innovations to transform.
Children are among the most vulnerable to the impacts of environmental degradation and climate change, particularly those living in poverty. The Grow the Future initiative aims to reverse this dynamic by empowering children and youth to be seen not as passive victims but as essential contributors to global solutions. “We firmly believe that those most affected by environmental degradation and climate change must be included as part of the solution,” says Martina Hibell Barnfonden CEO.
The three NGOs implement targeted programs focused on food security, climate resilience, disaster risk reduction, and environmental sustainability education across the Americas, Africa, Asias and Europe. By leveraging local expertise and global best practices, these initiatives aim to build resilient communities, ensure sustainable livelihoods, and equip future generations with the knowledge and tools to thrive in the face of environmental challenges. The three organisations are all members of ChildFund Alliance, a global network of child-focused development and humanitarian organisations reaching nearly 36 million children and family members in 70 countries.
Through engaging educational programs, Grow the Future will empower children to become informed advocates for environmental stewardship and climate-smart practices, while improving their skills to seek green jobs in the future.
The initiative also wants to promote children’s empowerment and agency by supporting Children and Youth Councils, digital platforms engagement, and advocacy initiatives to leaders and governments. Every child has a voice, and Grow the Future ensures that voice is heard. Children affected by environmental degradation and climate change need platforms to engage and influence policy and take action for social change. “Their perspectives must shape environmental and climate action plans, ensuring that their needs and rights are prioritized,” says Dina Taddia We World CEO.
Moreover, Grow the Future harnesses the power of innovation to develop practical solutions for adaptation to a changing climate and a changing environment, such as clean energy, sustainable agriculture, and climate-resilient urban planning. By encouraging creativity and ingenuity, the initiative is helping foster a culture of resilience and sustainability from an early age. “Together, we can grow a future where children are not seen as victims of environmental degradation and climate change, but the leaders of a sustainable tomorrow,” points out Pilar Orenes, Educo CEO.
In addition, the WHO warns that environmental degradation and climate change will exacerbate health risks, with children most vulnerable to malnutrition, water-borne diseases and other pathological problems due to deteriorating living conditions and lack of access to health care.
436 million children also face the double burden of high (or very high) water scarcity and low (or very low) levels of safe water services. Poor quality, lack of access and inadequate sanitation are key factors in the deaths of children under 5 from preventable diseases.
COP29, an opportunity for children
The 29th Conference of the Parties to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) will take place in Baku, Azerbaijan, from 11-22 November. This event will bring together governments, businesses and civil society and aims to find concrete solutions to combat climate change.
In this context, the three organisations that have launched Grow the Future call for children to have a relevant place in the fight against environmental degradation, climate change, more funding and more participation in decision-making to end these problems, among others.
We are already seeing how climate change is seriously affecting the lives of all human beings, but especially children. If we don’t take action now, the situation will only get worse. In 15 years we may find ourselves with a planet where there are more water and food shortages, where it is almost impossible to find work or housing, and where disease and war have increased. That is what awaits us if we don’t make the right decisions now,” concludes Martina Hibell Barnfonden CEO.
MORE INFORMATION
Grow the Future website: www.growthefutureinitiative.com
