Grants to Engage Youth in Co-Developing a School Carbon Calculator (Nepal)

UNESCO Nepal is inviting proposals to support the co-design and development of a Carbon Footprint Calculator for schools, engaging youth in climate-smart education initiatives. The project aims to increase carbon literacy among students, align with Nepal’s Green School Standards, and award up to NPR 130,000 to advance the winning concept from idea to pilot-ready tool.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has launched a request for proposals for the Carbon Footprint Calculator initiative, part of its broader programme to strengthen a climate-smart, green, and resilient education system in Nepal.

This initiative focuses on mentoring and engaging Nepali youth to co-create a practical tool that helps students and schools measure and understand their carbon footprint, integrating climate awareness into everyday learning.

Project Objective

The main objective of the project is to:

• Foster carbon literacy among students

• Increase awareness of school-level emissions

• Align learning with Nepal’s draft Green School Implementation Standards

• Empower youth to participate actively in tool design, development, and testing

The project emphasizes youth-centred engagement, encouraging young people to shape the structure, features, and usability of the calculator for diverse educational contexts.

Key Activities and Approach

Hackathon and Youth Engagement

A central activity of the project is a hackathon where selected youth will:

• Analyse user needs and contextual factors of schools

• Determine technical requirements for a school-friendly tool

• Develop recommendations for formats and platforms, which may include:

  • Digital applications or mobile tools

  • Excel-based calculators

  • Booklet formats

  • Hybrid solutions suitable for both urban and rural schools

Co-Design and Mentorship

Selected youth will receive mentorship to:

• Co-design the calculator concept

• Develop a pilot-ready tool

• Test the tool in schools within the Kathmandu Valley

• Refine and finalize the calculator based on feedback and usability

The project prioritizes inclusivity, low-cost solutions, and adaptability to ensure the calculator is educationally effective across diverse school environments.

Funding and Grant Prize

• A grant prize of up to NPR 130,000 will be awarded to the winning idea

• Funding supports the development of the tool from concept to implementation

• The grant helps ensure the calculator can be piloted effectively in Nepalese schools

Expected Outcomes

The initiative aims to:

• Promote climate-smart education and youth leadership

• Provide a practical, accessible tool for students to measure and reduce school-level emissions

• Foster sustainable practices in schools

• Encourage active youth participation in environmental and educational innovation

Who Is Eligible?

UNESCO invites proposals from qualified organisations capable of:

• Mentoring youth in co-design activities

• Facilitating hackathons or similar youth engagement processes

• Supporting development and piloting of educational tools in schools

• Ensuring inclusivity and adaptability across urban and rural contexts

Why This Project Matters

This initiative is significant because it:

• Strengthens youth climate literacy and agency

• Supports Nepal’s efforts to implement Green School Standards

• Integrates sustainability into education systems

• Promotes low-cost, accessible, and contextually relevant educational tools

• Builds youth skills in design, technology, and environmental stewardship

How to Apply / What to Do

Qualified organizations should submit a proposal that includes:

1. Experience in youth engagement and mentorship

2. Capacity to facilitate hackathons or co-design activities

3. Plan for developing, piloting, and testing a carbon footprint calculator

4. Strategy for inclusivity, adaptability, and low-cost implementation

5. Budget and timeline for delivering a pilot-ready tool

Proposals should clearly demonstrate how the organization can guide youth-led co-design and ensure the calculator is both educational and usable in diverse schools.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Proposing tools without considering rural and urban accessibility

• Failing to demonstrate experience in youth engagement or educational tool development

• Underestimating mentorship and capacity-building needs

• Submitting unclear or unrealistic budgets and timelines

• Ignoring alignment with Nepal’s Green School Implementation Standards

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Who can apply for this UNESCO grant?
Qualified organisations with experience in youth engagement, mentorship, and educational tool development.

What is the funding amount?
Up to NPR 130,000 for the winning idea.

What is the main goal of the project?
To develop a Carbon Footprint Calculator for schools that fosters climate literacy and aligns with Nepal’s Green School Standards.

Who participates in the hackathon?
Selected Nepali youth, guided and mentored by the implementing organization.

Where will the tool be piloted?
In schools within the Kathmandu Valley, with potential adaptation for other regions.

What types of tools are acceptable?
Digital apps, Excel-based tools, booklets, or hybrid solutions suitable for diverse school contexts.

What is the expected timeline?
Proposals should outline a timeline for co-design, development, and pilot testing of the calculator.

Conclusion

The UNESCO Carbon Footprint Calculator project provides a unique opportunity for youth-led innovation in climate education, supporting Nepal’s transition to a green, resilient, and climate-smart education system. Through mentorship, hackathons, and piloting, the initiative empowers young people to co-create tools that promote carbon literacy, sustainability, and long-term educational impact.