Call for EOIs: Strengthening Education, Youth Leadership, and Climate Action in Colombia

Deadline: 04-Feb-2026

UNICEF’s Green Generation in Colombia project empowers adolescents and young people in Chocó to strengthen education, leadership, and climate action. The initiative focuses on improving secondary education quality, integrating climate and biodiversity learning, developing practical green skills, and fostering youth participation in environmental initiatives. The project has a total budget of 2.4 billion COP and targets vulnerable communities facing high environmental and social risks.

Overview of the Project

The Green Generation in Colombia project is designed to strengthen educational pathways, youth leadership, and climate action among adolescents and young people in Chocó. It prioritizes communities experiencing high environmental, social, and territorial vulnerability and aims to connect education with real-life environmental challenges.

Key Focus Areas

• Youth leadership and participation

• Education and learning outcomes

• Skills development for adolescents

• Social policy and advocacy, including policy and public finance

• WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) and environment

• Biodiversity conservation and ecosystem service restoration

• Energy and natural resource management

• Climate action and pollution reduction

• Water and sustainable resource use

Objectives

1. Strengthen adolescents’ and young people’s ability to remain in and protect their educational trajectories

2. Improve the quality of secondary education with integrated climate change, biodiversity, and environmental education

3. Enhance knowledge, attitudes, and practical skills for climate action

4. Consolidate educational institutions and community spaces as relevant environmental learning environments

5. Promote practical green skills and youth participation in environmental initiatives

Activities and Implementation

• Curriculum Integration: Embedding climate change and biodiversity into school programs

• Environmental Education Projects (PRAE): Strengthening and expanding local environmental initiatives

• Productive Pedagogical Initiatives: Hands-on learning opportunities linking theory to practice

• Community Learning Centers: Creating or reinforcing centers for environmental education responding to local realities

• Practical Green Skills Development: Encouraging responsible water use, waste management, food security, biodiversity protection, and energy efficiency

• Youth Participation Mechanisms: Enabling adolescents to take active leadership roles in local climate and environmental projects

Expected Outcomes

• Adolescents and young people acquire stronger knowledge, attitudes, and skills for climate action

• Improved foundational competencies, including literacy and planning skills, supporting future educational and career trajectories

• Schools and community spaces serve as active centers for environmental learning

• Youth actively participate in initiatives that promote sustainable environmental practices and community resilience

Funding and Budget

• Total project budget: 2.4 billion COP

• Funding supports educational initiatives, learning centers, skills development, and practical environmental activities for adolescents and young people

How to Participate / Engage

• Local schools, community organizations, and youth groups in Chocó collaborate with UNICEF to implement programs

• Adolescents and young people participate through structured learning, practical environmental activities, and leadership initiatives

• Community spaces and learning centers provide practical training and real-life applications of environmental education

Common Mistakes & Tips

• Focusing solely on theoretical learning without practical application

• Ignoring integration of climate and biodiversity topics into school curricula

• Limited youth participation in project activities

• Failure to connect environmental learning to community challenges

• Not leveraging existing community and school resources for hands-on activities

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Who is eligible to benefit from the project? Adolescents and young people in Chocó, particularly in vulnerable communities.

2. What is the total project budget? 2.4 billion COP.

3. What educational levels are targeted? Secondary education and out-of-school youth programs.

4. Which environmental topics are integrated? Climate change, biodiversity, energy efficiency, water management, and pollution reduction.

5. How are youth involved in leadership? Through active participation in environmental projects, school initiatives, and community learning centers.

6. Are practical skills taught? Yes, including waste management, responsible water use, biodiversity protection, food security, and energy efficiency.

7. How are community spaces involved? Schools and learning centers are strengthened to provide relevant environmental learning experiences.

Conclusion

The Green Generation in Colombia project provides adolescents and young people in Chocó with the knowledge, skills, and leadership opportunities to tackle environmental challenges in their communities. By integrating climate and biodiversity education, strengthening youth participation, and promoting practical green skills, the initiative fosters sustainable development, community resilience, and empowered future generations.

For more information, visit UN Partner Portal.