Young Paraguayans Take on Climate Change in UNICEF’s Youth Challenge
Students from across Paraguay went head-to-head in the ‘Youth Challenge’ organised by UNICEF, backed by the British Embassy in Asuncion. The event spotlighted youth-led solutions tackling environmental issues and social impact.
Five Cities, One Big Workshop
Groups from Asuncion, San Lorenzo, Fernando de la Mora, Ciudad del Este, and San Pedro joined forces on 25 June 2022. With expert mentors guiding them, they refined projects aimed at protecting biodiversity and improving their communities.
Top Projects Snag UNICEF Backing
A panel including Antonieta Rojas de Arias and Alberto Yanovsky from the Scientific Society of 1 picked the two best ideas. Rojas praised the students’ commitment, saying:
“It has been really great because all the groups show a deep commitment to all the processes and to the conservation of biodiversity and the relationship between the community and the environment.”
Yanovsky added:
“The proposals are motivating. You come away feeling renewed because you see the energy young people have.”
The winning projects offer innovative green solutions: one suggests creating urban gardens in Luque that reuse grey water from schools while producing organic food sustainably. The other calls for installing rubbish and compost bins in three Guayaibi schools to improve waste management.
Officials Praise Youth Power and Creativity
UNICEF’s Deputy Representative Viviana Limpias said:
“Paraguay is a country where there are many opportunities to do many things, but we as an organization cannot do it if it is not through you, through your creativity, through your strength. We want to continue strengthening proposals like these and support you in your passion and enthusiasm.”
John Davie, Deputy Chief of Mission at the British Embassy, was impressed by the knowledge on show:
“I was very surprised by the depth of knowledge the young people have on the issue of climate change.”
Youth Challenge: Shaping Future Leaders
The Youth Challenge focuses on developing employability skills, confidence, and empowering young people to create social impact. It’s part of the global “Generation Unlimited” partnership aiming to ensure every young person has access to education, training, or work by 2030 — building a greener, stronger future.
