London- UK- August 13, 2025
In a significant stride toward a sustainable and equitable future, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched a comprehensive new initiative aimed at empowering young people. Titled the ‘Green and Digital’ initiative, this program is designed to equip youth with the essential skills and knowledge needed to navigate and lead in a world defined by the dual challenges of climate change and rapid technological advancement. The launch, which builds on a series of partnerships and pilot projects, signals a concerted global effort to position young people as key agents of change in environmental sustainability and digital transformation.
The ‘Green and Digital’ initiative is a multi-faceted program with a clear objective: to bridge the gap between education and the demands of the 21st-century workforce. Its core focus is on integrating green technology and digital literacy into educational and vocational training systems worldwide. This is not merely about teaching coding or climate science in isolation; it is about fostering a new generation of problem-solvers who can apply digital tools to address environmental challenges. The initiative will, for example, provide training in data analysis to track biodiversity, develop digital platforms for local climate action, and utilize virtual reality (VR) simulations to educate on sustainable agricultural practices.
A key component of this ambitious project is its partnership with other international bodies and private sector entities. One of the most notable collaborations is with the European Union (EU) on a project specifically targeting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in vulnerable regions like Iraq. This project, which has now entered its third phase, aims to enhance youth employability by providing them with skills for a climate-resilient and technology-driven future. It specifically targets youth, women, and vulnerable groups, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and refugees, ensuring inclusive access to learning and employment opportunities. This localised focus is a critical element of the broader initiative, which seeks to tailor its programs to the specific needs of different communities.
Furthermore, the initiative is closely aligned with the UNESCO Green Citizens and Greening Education Partnership programs. UNESCO Green Citizens, for example, is a platform that connects UNESCO’s scientific expertise with local, youth-led solutions to climate change. The new ‘Green and Digital’ initiative will amplify this work by providing these young climate activists with advanced digital tools to scale their projects, communicate their impact more effectively, and collaborate with a wider network of global partners. It is about moving from local action to a global movement, facilitated by technology. Similarly, the Greening Education Partnership aims to strengthen countries’ capacities to provide quality climate change education and “green” every aspect of learning. The ‘Green and Digital’ initiative complements this by embedding digital skills as a core competency required for effective climate education.
The motivation behind the initiative is rooted in a growing global consensus that the challenges of climate change and digital transformation are interconnected and must be addressed in tandem. According to UNESCO research, a significant portion of national curricula still makes no reference to climate change, and many teachers lack the confidence to teach the cognitive and action-oriented aspects of environmental issues. The ‘Green and Digital’ initiative directly addresses this by creating a framework that empowers educators and students alike. It promotes a new pedagogy that encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and collaboration—skills that are essential for both green and digital economies.
Another pillar of the initiative is the emphasis on promoting ethical and responsible technology use. In an era of rampant misinformation and disinformation, particularly on climate-related topics, the program aims to equip youth with the tools to think critically, act responsibly, and shape positive online spaces. This includes training in media and information literacy (MIL), which is seen as a vital defense against false narratives that can undermine environmental efforts and democratic processes. UNESCO is collaborating with institutions and governments to develop continental frameworks, such as a new Continental Framework on Information Integrity in Africa, to support this goal.
The launch of the ‘Green and Digital’ initiative also comes at a time when the global skills crisis is deepening, with millions of young people lacking the skills needed to succeed in a rapidly changing labour market. By focusing on both green and digital skills, UNESCO and its partners are directly tackling this issue, preparing young people for the jobs of the future, many of which will require a combination of both proficiencies. This approach is not only about securing employment but also about ensuring that young people can become active, informed citizens who can contribute meaningfully to a sustainable future for their communities.
In essence, the ‘Green and Digital’ initiative represents a fundamental shift in how global organizations approach youth empowerment. It recognizes that young people are not just passive recipients of aid but are a powerful force for innovation and change. By giving them the right tools—both green and digital—the initiative aims to unlock their potential, helping them to build a world that is not only more prosperous but also more sustainable and just. The coming years will be crucial in measuring the initiative’s impact, but its launch marks a clear and hopeful commitment to a new generation of global leaders.
