Ready, set, take action! Madagascar takes on six YUNGA Challenge Badges!
f5956646-fef1-4f90-9fad-c88517a6f5e3.jpeg?sfvrsn=9be8c8b3_2 "Ready, set, take action! Madagascar takes on six YUNGA Challenge Badges!")
Group implementing YUNGA Challenge Badges in Madagascar
©UNICEF Madagascar
08/10/2025
Something exciting is taking shape in Madagascar! Six YUNGA Challenge Badges have been developed specifically for the Malagasy context, reflecting local realities, priorities and everyday life – and around 81,000 children and young people are expected to take part.
From protecting forests and using water wisely to eating well and getting ready for climate-related disasters, young people will be able to take on fun, hands-on activities from the Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Nutrition, Water, Forests and Energy Challenge Badges.
But before creating the activities, we wanted to make sure they reflected real life in Madagascar. Several hundred young people from different parts of the country took part in surveys and discussions, sharing their experiences and helping us understand the everyday actions, challenges and social norms that matter most. Their voices helped identify the actions to focus on for different age groups – from the youngest aged 5–8 to 9–15-year-olds and young people aged 16 and above.
Then came the next challenge: turning all those ideas into something young people would actually want to do! Sixteen Malagasy youth and environmental organizations joined the process, bringing their experience from working with young people in communities across the country. Together, they reviewed activities, shared ideas and helped make the badges truly relevant to Madagascar.
“The enthusiasm was incredible. The NGOs and young educators brought so much energy, experience and creativity into the process. They really put their passion and knowledge into these resources – and you can feel that in the final booklets,” says Anastasia Tikhonova, Climate Change and Education Specialist at FAO.
And now, the six badges are ready! They are currently being transformed into their final colourful booklets, while Training of Trainers is getting underway in districts across Madagascar. Participating organizations will also receive materials to help bring activities to life – so young people can experiment, explore, create and, most importantly, take action.
A growing network of trained youth educators from 16 organizations will then be ready to lead the activities with approximately 81,000 young people across Madagascar.
So, Madagascar – are you ready? Six badges, lots of fun activities and thousands of young people ready to learn, explore and take action for a more sustainable future.
We can’t wait to see what you do!
From protecting forests and using water wisely to eating well and getting ready for climate-related disasters, young people will be able to take on fun, hands-on activities from the Climate Change, Disaster Risk Reduction, Nutrition, Water, Forests and Energy Challenge Badges.
But before creating the activities, we wanted to make sure they reflected real life in Madagascar. Several hundred young people from different parts of the country took part in surveys and discussions, sharing their experiences and helping us understand the everyday actions, challenges and social norms that matter most. Their voices helped identify the actions to focus on for different age groups – from the youngest aged 5–8 to 9–15-year-olds and young people aged 16 and above.
Then came the next challenge: turning all those ideas into something young people would actually want to do! Sixteen Malagasy youth and environmental organizations joined the process, bringing their experience from working with young people in communities across the country. Together, they reviewed activities, shared ideas and helped make the badges truly relevant to Madagascar.
“The enthusiasm was incredible. The NGOs and young educators brought so much energy, experience and creativity into the process. They really put their passion and knowledge into these resources – and you can feel that in the final booklets,” says Anastasia Tikhonova, Climate Change and Education Specialist at FAO.
And now, the six badges are ready! They are currently being transformed into their final colourful booklets, while Training of Trainers is getting underway in districts across Madagascar. Participating organizations will also receive materials to help bring activities to life – so young people can experiment, explore, create and, most importantly, take action.
A growing network of trained youth educators from 16 organizations will then be ready to lead the activities with approximately 81,000 young people across Madagascar.
So, Madagascar – are you ready? Six badges, lots of fun activities and thousands of young people ready to learn, explore and take action for a more sustainable future.
We can’t wait to see what you do!