Written by Rachel D’Armiento, YCI Volunteer Alumni

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Climate change is one of the most urgent challenges of our time, but tackling it requires more than just awareness. It demands action, creativity and collaboration on  all levels. For young people across Canada, that’s where YCI’s Climate Action Network and the Climate Futures Lab program has shined.

Since 2019, YCI has brought together Canadian youth, municipal governments and partner organizations, equipping them with the tools, connections and resources to design and run youth-led, community-driven climate projects together. Through design thinking training, consultations with climate experts and access to funding, over 660 alumni have piloted 244 climate action initiatives with YCI – this represents over 73,000 volunteer hours dedicated to local climate issues – living proof of the power of young people to drive real change.

As a past YCI volunteer myself, I recently sat down with 3 inspiring young people who were Team Leads in YCI’s Climate Futures Lab in 2023 to hear firsthand about their experience. Each of them faced similar challenges – such as navigating the complexities of the climate crisis, defining their role in addressing it and turning ideas into real action. They also overlapped in how they led their teams with optimism and dedication, generating shared purpose and collective action. Their stories showcase the transformative energy of youth innovation, showing tangible examples of how to build meaningful connections between the climate movement, government bodies and community mobilization.

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Meet Mya, Ignite Our Futures Team Lead

A passionate environmental advocate with an impressive background in Wildlife Rehabilitation, Neuroscience and Bio Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Mya’s journey with YCI began through a connection with the Program Coordinator at the time, Mel Jacques, whose infectious energy and dedication to the initiative inspired her to apply. When we connected recently, Mya shared that taking part in the program was a true turning point for finding a way to channel her climate anxieties into something productive and meaningful.

“I always felt a strong sense of urgency about the climate crisis but, as a student, I never found a direct way to contribute with the time and resources that I had, which left me feeling discouraged to take action. But, from my experience with this program, I feel like I’ve finally gained the control that I needed to confront climate anxieties for myself and my community.”

As a Team Lead, Mya embraced the program’s interdisciplinary nature, working alongside individuals of different ages, backgrounds and interests. She valued the collaborative learning environment, which introduced her to new ways of approaching climate action. The program’s focus on design thinking stood out to her as a particularly transformative tool—one that made complex problems more accessible and encouraged interactive problem-solving.

When it came to her team’s climate action project, Mya helped bring together a diverse group of passionate individuals. As a leader, she focused on finding common ground and guiding the team toward a shared vision. As a team they decided to focus on the pressing issue of climate anxiety by organizing an in-person workshop series centred on these 3 themes: 1) navigating climate emotions, 2) upcycling and 3) sustainable living practices. The team also created a digital platform which housed the resources and insights from their sessions.

For Mya, the true success of the project wasn’t measured by numbers—it was about the conversations sparked, the connections built and the growing sense of empowerment within their community. “The people who came—many we didn’t even know—were incredibly engaged, and it was such a great way to get deeper, share knowledge and start conversations. We didn’t focus on the numbers. It’s the outcome and impact that matters,” Mya shared.

Mya credits the program for deepening her understanding of collaboration, leadership and impact-driven projects. More than anything, she appreciated the camaraderie among her team—a support system that kept them grounded through the ups and downs of the project and their personal journeys. Mya’s experience with YCI’s Climate Futures Lab reaffirmed that meaningful climate action doesn’t always start with large-scale initiatives. Sometimes, it begins with a conversation, a shared experience or a simple step toward a more sustainable future.

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Meet Zoya, Art Action Alliance Team Lead

A dedicated urban planning student committed to shaping cities that prioritize sustainability, Zoya has zeroed in on making climate action accessible to all. Her academic background fit perfectly with YCI’s Climate Futures Lab; her team decided to respond to the heaviness of the climate crisis with an interactive initiative—one that encouraged self-expression and creative problem-solving through art and design.

“Climate anxiety is real, and sometimes learning about it can overwhelm and deter people from taking action. So, through YCI’s Climate Futures Lab, my team and I wanted to find a way to introduce the topic to new and younger audiences, while also offering a creative outlet to seasoned climate activists—all while still contributing to the overall movement effectively.”

Zoya’s journey with YCI began when her friends saw the opportunity advertised at Dalhousie University and decided it would be a great way for them to work together outside of school in a volunteer capacity. Zoya’s team, which included members from both high schools and universities, quickly gelled thanks to their shared interests and were on the same page from the beginning. Using the design thinking framework, her team was able to narrow down their project goals, ultimately focusing on making climate education accessible, creative and engaging for all age groups. “We wanted to introduce climate change and its impacts on people for the first time in a way that was accessible and not stressful,” Zoya commented.

Zoya’s team developed a project called Art Action Alliance, with the slogan “Empowering change. From canvas to cause”. They launched a climate art contest, inviting participants to submit artwork, poems or photos capturing their connection to meaningful places, with winners receiving art-related prizes. They then hosted free drop-in workshops at the public library, where diverse participants created climate-themed art. Designed for younger audiences, families joined in, recognizing the power of art to convey environmental messages with their children. By grounding the activity in familiar spaces, they fostered a deeper sense of connection, empowering participants to feel more invested in the community they were from.

Zoya and her team received positive feedback and were recognized widely for addressing an unmet need in their community. Reflecting on the success of the project, she expressed a strong desire to replicate the experience more often and how this experience made her realize that could even be possible. By honing future skills in the program, such as grant writing and team management, Zoya feels more confident in her ability to write grant letters and secure funding for future events. Zoya shared that without the support of YCI’s Climate Futures Lab, she wouldn’t have been able to execute the logistics and finances of this project alone and was grateful for the opportunity.

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Meet Wateen, Halifax PEELS Team Lead

Wateen is an ambitious neuroscience major at Dalhousie University, recently serving as the President of the Dalhousie Student Union Commission. In addition to her academic and leadership roles, Wateen actively volunteers at the hospital and participates in several student societies. Her commitment to service and leadership is deeply rooted in a strong sense of purpose, which she also demonstrated during her time in YCI’s Climate Futures Lab.

Wateen’s story with YCI began when she came across a newsletter about the new program. Intrigued by the idea of contributing to her community in a new way, she immediately knew she wanted to be part of it. She was drawn to the opportunity to work with like-minded individuals while also embracing her natural role as a leader, so she applied to be a Team Lead. Wateen shared,

“I love being a leader and an inspiration to others. It’s so rewarding to guide people and encourage them along the way. It was also nice on this project to work with people I hadn’t worked with before and experience different styles of learning.”

In Climate Futures Lab, Wateen’s team decided to focus on food waste reduction, an issue deeply personal and motivating for her team, especially given its significant environmental and social impact in Nova Scotia. Their project, Halifax PEELS, involved the creation of an evidence-based, practical guide to help individuals reduce food waste in their daily lives. They also leveraged social media to raise awareness and advocate for sustainable practices, further amplifying their mission. Despite initial setbacks in project feasibility, Wateen is proud of how the project evolved and how they ultimately developed a solution with the potential for lasting results.

“You always need a Plan A, but you have to recognize that things might go wrong. It’s about putting the pieces together and making an impact, no matter how small.”

For Wateen, the experience taught her the value of flexibility and persistence. She also appreciated the opportunity to work with a diverse team. This collaboration, along with the mentorship and skills she gained, has inspired Wateen to continue seeking innovative solutions to global challenges, both during her studies and in her future career.

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Moving Forward

When reflecting on the journeys of these inspiring alumni, one strong cross-cutting theme is clear: hope is an essential ingredient for climate action to take shape. Each with their own unique background and experiences, Mya, Zoya and Wateen found a place to channel their concerns about climate change and discovered an invaluable community of like-minded individuals, mentors and resources to finally take action. Despite the challenges they faced – whether it was managing time, overcoming project setbacks or navigating climate anxiety – their stories demonstrate the importance of collaboration, adaptability and resilience within the wider climate movement.

Through programs like this, YCI has spread the understanding that climate action isn’t just about corporations and government tackling huge issues, it’s also about taking small, intentional steps in the places that you find yourself, with the people around you. Moving forward, YCI’s Climate Action Network will continue to equip young people with the spaces, people and tools to transform their ideas into real-world impact.

As Youth Challenge International looks to the future, the focus is on expanding reach, building new partnerships and amplifying the next generation of green innovators and community leaders. Be sure to stay connected with YCI to hear about future opportunities and reach out if you think a partnership could be formed to further protect people and planet together.

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Climate Futures Lab was funded by the Government of Canada from 2023-2024. It built off YCI’s Innovate MY Future program that was also funded by the Government of Canada from 2019-2022. Explore more about YCI’s Climate Action Network, impact and partnerships.