OTBL Campus Impact Challenge: A Youth Initiative for Creating Positive Spaces

OTBL Campus Impact Challenge 2.0 - Encouraging Innovative Solutions for Environmental Sustainability in School Campuses

The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), in partnership with ONGC TERI Biotech Limited (OTBL), launched the ‘OTBL Campus Impact Challenge’ to inspire youth-led innovation for sustainability across Assam. Phase I of the initiative focused on engaging students from Higher Education Institutions to identify pressing sustainability challenges on their campuses and develop innovative, solution-oriented approaches.

Through a structured process of problem identification, collaboration, and action, students worked collectively to design impactful interventions aligned with Mission LiFE and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The programme successfully fostered environmental awareness, critical thinking, and youth leadership, while transforming campuses into active spaces for sustainability action.

Key Outcomes of the OTBL Campus Impact Challenge:

• 60 Youth Ambassadors identified and empowered to drive sustainability action
• Development and dissemination of innovative, locally relevant SDG solutions and IEC (Information, Education, and Communication) materials by participating institutions
• Implementation of 6 best sustainability initiatives across Assam, including Sanitary napkin vending machines, Bird nesting habitats using sustainable materials, Plant Tissue Culture lab infrastructure support, E-waste collection drive, Benches made from plastic bottles, along with display boards, vermicomposting units, and dustbins, Handicrafts, incense sticks, and plates created from waste materials
• Outreach to 4 schools, 3,000 students, and 1,700 community members across Assam

The OTBL Campus Impact Award winners were felicitated during TERI’s 50th Anniversary celebrations in Guwahati in the presence of Dr Vibha Dhawan, Dr Banwari Lal, Dr Dipankar Saharia, and Dr Livleen Kahlon, recognising their outstanding contributions to sustainability. The programme successfully fostered environmental awareness, critical thinking, and youth leadership, while transforming campuses into active spaces for sustainability action. Click here to watch the OTBL Campus Impact Challenge project teaser.

Phase II: OTBL Campus Impact Challenge 2.0

Building on this success, Phase II extended the initiative to schools, fostering leadership and environmental responsibility among students. The programme enables students to work with teachers to address real-world environmental challenges within their campuses and communities.

Participating Schools

In alignment with the objectives of the ‘OTBL – CIC 2.0’ project, following 10 schools from Assam were selected to participate in the program, namely:

1. Namti Girl's High School, Sivsagar
2. PM Shri Mariani Girls' High School, Jorhat
3. Teok Rajabari H.S. School, Jorhat
4. Upper Nazira High School, Sivsagar
5. Selenghat Higher Secondary School, Jorhat
6. Nazira H.S. & M.P. School, Sivsagar
7. Namti Chariali High School, Sivsagar
8. PM Shri Teok Girls' H.S. School, Jorhat
9. Nazira Girls' H.S. School, Sivsagar
10. Mariani High School, Jorhat

Programme Highlights

Induction Webinar

The programme commenced with an orientation, emphasising the importance of collective climate action. The programme framework was introdcued, followed by a case study on Assam’s environmental challenges such as deforestation and pollution.

Focus Group Discussions & One-to-one Interaction

Students participated in focus group discussions and one-to-one mentoring sessions to refine their campaign ideas. A resource mapping exercise enabled them to identify key campus and community resources—such as water sources, public spaces, and essential services—strengthening their understanding of local ecosystems and solutions. This activity helped them visualise the physical layout and recognise the importance of these resources in their daily lives. Overall, the session aimed to strengthen students' awareness of their environment and promote community engagement.

Way Forward

OTBL Campus Impact Challenge 2.0 is building a strong network of young changemakers, equipping them with skills and opportunities to lead sustainability initiatives and contribute meaningfully to Mission LiFE and the SDGs.