New Delhi, December 16, 2023: UNICEF, in collaboration with Generation Unlimited (YuWaah in India), has formed the Green Rising India Alliance (GRIA) to collaborate with organizations committed to a sustainable future for children and young people.
The alliance comprises YuWaah at UNICEF, Capgemini, Children's Investment Fund Foundation, Rohini Nilekani Philanthropies, ReNew Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, and SAP. GRIA's objective is to prepare 50 million children and young people to be climate-conscious, adaptable, and resilient by 2030.
GRIA is rallying public and private organizations, foundations, youth networks, multilaterals, and the Government of India to consolidate their commitment to sharing knowledge, efforts, and innovative solutions. The primary focus is on providing young people with opportunities to embrace a climate-conscious mindset and foster resilience. This alliance aims to synergize investments, strategic priorities, and portfolios of work, unlocking unprecedented opportunities to complement national efforts with the government and young people.
The GRIA will enable, empower, and engage young people, especially the most vulnerable, with tools to become stewards of the planet through green skills, social impact, and economic opportunities. It will collaborate with youth to co-design and scale transformative environmental initiatives.
Dhuwarakha Sriram, Chief of Generation Unlimited in India (YuWaah), Youth Development and Partnerships at UNICEF said, “YuWaah at UNICEF has brought together key stakeholders for the Green Rising India Alliance and through this strategic collaboration we commit to co-creating sustainable and impactful contribution to the urgent cause of climate action. Together, we will nurture youth-led action in India and bring new energy to our collective initiatives to foster innovative and inclusive solutions, at scale to multiply our impact. We recognise the power of young people as the change makers in combating Climate Change and supporting Environmental Sustainability and thus we are partnering to further build their potential and create opportunities for and with them to lead on issues that matter the most to them.”
Manjula Singh, Executive Director-India, Children's Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), “Congratulations the Government of India for its outstanding leadership in climate initiatives and commitment to 1.5°C while substantially reducing greenhouse gas emissions. With the launch of the Green Rising India Alliance (GRIA), it is exciting to see Governments, private organizations, foundations, youth networks, and multilateral, coming together to build a climate safe future- characterised by cleaner air, energy security, and sustainable jobs- along with smart stewardship of the planet’s resources. CIFF remains steadfast in its commitment to creating a world in which every child can flourish in a healthy, fair, and safe environment."
Deepali Khanna, Vice President - Asia, The Rockefeller Foundation, said, “The Rockefeller Foundation is investing USD 1 billion over the next five years to slow climate change even as we advance human opportunity. With the largest youth population in the world, India’s climate-conscious actions can foster resilience and innovation, accelerating impact that enables everyone to not just survive the climate crisis but thrive. We are proud to join the Green Rising India Alliance to empower youth, especially those living in frontline communities, to lead the charge towards a sustainable planet.”
As a public-private-youth partnerships platform at UNICEF, YuWaah will work towards unifying diverse climate initiatives under GRIA, establishing a robust platform in India for sustainable development and environmental protection for and with young people.
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