Climate Resilient Futures for Women and Children
Summary
In 2025, Sunaay Human Welfare Foundation committed to launching a technology-integrated and multigenerational model that will strengthen climate literacy and inclusive education for climate-vulnerable women and children and offer a replicable framework that can be scaled across urban and rural areas in India. The intervention will harness the existing strength of Sunaay’s open-air learning centers in Delhi, while expanding the model to the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal by 2027 through a hub-and-spoke strategy. The Delhi hub will act as the central engine for content development, technology facilitation, and educator training. The spokes in each state will operationalize these innovations with localized and interactive approaches, working closely with community-based volunteers and educators. Themes such as waste segregation, water conservation, tree planting, clean air practices, and coexistence with stray animals will not only be taught but also practiced as part of daily learning to help students grasp climate concepts rooted in their own lived realities.
Approach
Sunaay commits to launching a technology-integrated model that will strengthen climate literacy and inclusive education for climate-vulnerable women and children and offer a replicable framework that can be scaled across urban and rural areas.
This upcoming intervention will harness the existing strength of Sunaay’s open-air learning centers in Delhi, while expanding the model to the states of Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal through a hub-and-spoke strategy. The Delhi hub will act as the central engine for content development, technology facilitation, and educator training. The spokes in each state will operationalize these innovations with localized approaches, working closely with community-based volunteers and educators.
A key innovation in this phase is the use of technology-enabled learning, combining mobile devices and visual learning aids with in-person sessions. Classrooms—both in the open and in community settings—will be equipped with interactive tools, story-based modules, and hands-on activities that help students grasp climate concepts rooted in their own lived realities. Themes such as waste segregation, water conservation, tree planting, clean air practices, and coexistence with stray animals will not only be taught but also practiced as part of daily learning.
Another transformative shift is in the project’s target group strategy. While women have always been part of Sunaay’s beneficiary base, this initiative will intentionally deepen engagement with children and adolescents, while continuing to empower women. This multi-generational approach recognizes that children are natural learners, adolescents are peer influencers, and women are household leaders—and by building the capacities of all three, the project aims to catalyse sustainable behavioral change.
Through structured curriculum, trained educators, digital innovation, and community ownership, the project will equip the direct beneficiaries as emerging changemakers. These individuals will serve as the first ripple in a widening circle of influence among family members, peers, and neighbors—across all the states.
Action Plan
From October 2025 to March 2026, the hub-and-spoke model of Sunaay Foundation’s climate education initiative will commence with Phase 1, centered in Delhi as the hub. Educators and volunteers in Delhi will lead planning and curriculum development by conducting discussions with slum residents, children, and women to understand their climate-related challenges. This data will inform the creation of a localized, context-specific curriculum focused on water conservation, hygiene, waste segregation, heat wave preparedness, and tree planting. These themes will be taught through creative methods like nukkad nataks (street plays) , storytelling, and participatory activities. At the same time, groundwork will be laid in the spoke regions—Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal—where educators will start building local partnerships and start the main curriculum. Educators and volunteers will be trained simultaneously across all states, and peer learning groups will be formed to support sustainability and ownership.
Between April and December 2026, Phase 2 will scale up structured climate education across informal learning spaces in both Delhi and the spoke states. Delhi will continue to function as the training and resource hub, refining tools and content, while the spoke educators in the neighboring states will deliver sessions in communities.
From January to June 2027, Phase 3 will focus on practical implementation and community mobilization. Initiation of water-saving drives, waste segregation efforts will be coordinated with municipal workers and rag-pickers, and tree planting activities will aim to address air pollution and heat stress in all regions. Activities like setting up feeding pits for stray animals will nurture empathy alongside environmental stewardship.
Finally, between July and September 2027, Phase 4 will consolidate learnings and focus on sustainability and advocacy. Monitoring reports and impact assessments across all states will inform scale-up strategies, build policy linkages, and guide Sunaay’s next chapter in creating resilient, climate-aware communities.
Background
In India, climate change and environmental degradation have severely impacted marginalized populations, particularly migrant workers and slum dwellers. States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Madhya Pradesh are experiencing severe ecological imbalances, pushing large populations to migrate to cities like Delhi. According to India’s Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, nearly 30 million people in Delhi alone are considered migrants, with many coming from drought-stricken and flood-prone regions (Source: The Open Government Data (OGD) Platform for the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, October 2024) . Forced migration due to environmental factors has overwhelmed urban areas, increasing competition for resources like housing, water, and jobs, and leaving these migrant communities without adequate access to basic services.
The health risks associated with pollution and extreme weather conditions are disproportionately affecting vulnerable groups, particularly children and women. A study found that nearly 1.2 million deaths in India were linked to air pollution (Source: Lancet Planetary Health Analysis, 2022) . The poor air quality, coupled with contaminated water sources and extreme heat, is causing respiratory illnesses, dehydration, and malnutrition. Children are especially vulnerable, as they often suffer from asthma, lung infections, and persistent coughing, all of which hinder their ability to attend school and develop properly. Many migrant children, lacking the necessary documents for school enrollment, are pushed into child labor, contributing to cycles of illiteracy and economic hardship.
Infrastructure in slum areas is inadequate, with limited access to proper ventilation, electricity, and study spaces. The unhygienic conditions in these communities, filled with open drains, garbage, and toxic fumes, pose severe health risks. Additionally, the widespread use of single-use plastics in slums further exacerbates environmental degradation, trapping heat and contributing to pollution. This not only harms the local ecosystem but also negatively impacts the health and well-being of residents, especially children.
Progress Update
Partnership Opportunities
To implement and scale the climate resilience and education program, Sunaay seeks strategic partnerships and essential resources. Continuous support and linkages are crucial for sustaining long-term engagement with women and children in marginalized communities, both in national and international forums, such as child-friendly curricula and providing nutritious food and supplements to enhance children’s well-being and learning.
Contingency and emergency supplies to address urgent needs, particularly for families and children facing crises or displacement, are also solicited. Collaboration with NGOs, schools, and community organizations is key to co-hosting climate education programs and ensuring they are impactful and locally relevant. Securing corporate sponsorships, grants, and donations will further support curriculum development, community drives, and training sessions.
Working with municipal bodies and policymakers to integrate climate resilience into urban planning and education systems is essential. Sunaay can collaborate with journalists, influencers, and content creators to amplify its mission through online campaigns and storytelling.,Sunaay’s commitment to climate resilience among marginalized communities is rooted in awareness, advocacy, and action. Central to this is climate education, delivered through an interactive curriculum covering waste management, water conservation, air pollution, and adaptation strategies. Educators, volunteers, and partner organization staff, through capacity-building, shall effectively teach these themes using participatory methods. Supporting materials like posters, storytelling aids, games, and digital storytelling modules will strengthen community engagement and reinforce learning.
Community mobilization in villages in other states in India will build on Sunaay’s presence in Delhi’s slums, fostering meaningful connections with children and families. The Foundation will help partners embed climate activities into school and youth programs through open-air lessons, street plays, and awareness drives. Campaigns focused on waste segregation, water conservation, and air quality will be paired with joint proposals and partnerships to ensure long-term impact and sustainability.