First-ever national youth climate coalition inaugurated with government recognition
Dhaka, Bangladesh | 31 May 2025
The Bangladesh Youth Climate Coalition (BYCC) was officially launched on 31 May 2025 as a landmark initiative bringing together youth-led climate and environmental organizations under a unified national platform. The coalition aims to strengthen coordination, policy engagement, and collective action for climate justice in Bangladesh.
This launch marks a historic moment for the country’s youth climate movement, as BYCC becomes the first structured national-level youth climate coalition formed in Bangladesh with direct engagement from government stakeholders.
A New National Platform for Youth Climate Action
BYCC was established to address a long-standing gap in Bangladesh’s climate landscape: fragmented youth efforts and limited coordination between organizations working on similar issues.
The coalition was created to serve as a central platform where youth-led organizations can collaborate on advocacy, capacity building, climate action, and policy influence. It brings together diverse grassroots initiatives under a shared national vision for climate justice and sustainability.
Inauguration and Government Engagement
The coalition was co-founded by YOUCAN and Brighters; and officially inaugurated on 31 May 2025, in the presence of youth climate leaders and stakeholders from the environmental sector.
The initiative received recognition from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of Bangladesh, marking an important step toward institutional engagement between youth networks and national climate governance structures.
The inauguration was also acknowledged by Hon. Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, who expressed support for strengthening youth participation in national climate policy processes.
A First-of-its-Kind Coalition in Bangladesh
BYCC is widely positioned as the first national-level youth climate coalition in Bangladesh operating in coordination with government-facing climate governance spaces.
Unlike individual organizations or networks, BYCC is designed as a coalition of organizations—creating a structured system for collaboration, shared advocacy, and unified national representation of youth climate voices.
This model is expected to strengthen Bangladesh’s position in global youth climate advocacy while ensuring stronger representation of local and grassroots realities.
Vision and Purpose
The coalition focuses on building a stronger, more connected youth climate movement in Bangladesh with key priorities including:
- strengthening youth participation in climate policy and governance
- improving coordination among climate-focused youth organizations
- expanding climate awareness and education initiatives
- supporting SDG 13 (Climate Action) implementation
- enhancing disaster resilience and adaptation leadership
- amplifying youth voices in national and international platforms
- building a collective advocacy mechanism for climate justice
Structure and Functioning
BYCC operates through a democratic and multi-layered structure:
- General Assembly as the highest decision-making body
- National Executive Committee (15 members) responsible for coordination and leadership
- Regional Chapters for district and divisional implementation
- Thematic Working Groups focusing on advocacy, research, campaigns, media, and climate action
This structure ensures both national coordination and local implementation of activities.
A Step Toward Unified Climate Leadership
The launch of BYCC represents a shift toward collective youth leadership in Bangladesh’s climate movement. By connecting organizations under one national platform, the coalition seeks to strengthen impact, reduce duplication of efforts, and increase influence in policy spaces.
With its official inauguration and early recognition from government stakeholders, BYCC enters Bangladesh’s climate landscape as a coordinated youth force working toward long-term climate justice and sustainable development.
Official Announcement by the Ministry: Inaguration of BYCC
News:
https://www.kalbela.com/national/192502
https://thefinancialexpress.com.bd/national/youth-must-shun-greed-corruption-to-serve-nation-rizwana