Mission LiFE Youth Ambassador Programme

A UNDP-TERI Initiative

The Mission LiFE Youth Ambassadors Programme is a collaborative initiative led by UNDP in partnership with TERI, designed to position young leaders and Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) at the forefront of India’s sustainability transition.

Anchored in the principles of Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), the programme seeks to bridge the gap between awareness and action by enabling students to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors within their daily lives and campus ecosystems. Central to this mission is the promotion of sustainable practices, particularly through the Zero Waste Campus approach, while simultaneously building youth leadership, fostering innovation, and creating pathways for long-term climate engagement.

By integrating individual behavior change with institutional systems, the programme aims to cultivate a generation of informed, skilled, and motivated changemakers who are actively contributing to a climate-resilient future.

HEIs to be the new Living Laboratories

Higher Education Institutions are positioned as implementation hubs, where sustainability is not just taught but practiced. Campuses serve as testing grounds for:

• Zero waste systems
• Circular economy practices
• Responsible consumption behaviours

The Zero Waste Campus League acts as the entry point for engagement, enabling visible and measurable action at the institutional level.

What the Programme does?

• Mobilises Youth for Action 
  Builds a network of young changemakers driving sustainable lifestyles
• Transforms Campuses 
  Promotes Zero Waste Campuses through waste reduction, segregation, and circular practices
• Builds Skills & Leadership 
  Offers training, experiential learning, and pathways to leadership and entrepreneurship
• Drives Institutional Change 
  Integrates sustainability into campus systems, curriculum, and governance

Why It Matters

While sustainability awareness is high among today's youth, translating that knowledge into consistent action requires the right systems, incentives, and opportunities. This programme bridges that gap by making sustainable choices accessible, practical, and rewarding within the context of everyday campus life.

Long-Term Impact

The Mission LiFE Youth Ambassadors Programme aims to build a sustained culture of responsible living by embedding sustainability within academic ecosystems.

By connecting individual behaviour, institutional systems, and national priorities, the programme aspires to create a generation of youth leaders who will drive India’s transition towards a circular, climate-resilient future.

Key Highlights of the Programme:

• Launched at the World Sustainable Development Summit (February 2026)
• Engages colleges across multiple cities in India
• Focuses on measurable outcomes such as waste reduction and institutional adoption
• Combines youth energy with institutional support for long-term impact

Programme Launch as World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026:

The Mission LiFE Youth Ambassadors Programme was formally launched at the World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026, one of India’s premier global platforms for sustainability and climate action. Unveiled during the valedictory session on 27 February 2026, the launch convened policymakers, international development leaders, industry representatives, and youth voices—positioning the programme at the intersection of national priorities and global sustainability discourse.

Announced by Ms Isabelle Tschan, Deputy Resident Representative at UNDP India, the initiative underscores the pivotal role of youth leadership in advancing Mission LiFE by bridging individual behavior with institutional systems. The launch not only marked the formal rollout of the programme but also reinforced a collective commitment to empowering young changemakers and embedding sustainable lifestyles across higher education ecosystems.

Find the link below for programme Launch as World Sustainable Development Summit (WSDS) 2026:

https://youtu.be/qJDBvdTLSKI?si=uqLjrACRhY6XaS14