International Climate Camp Wins PMI Bangladesh 2026 Social Impact Project of the Year Award

The International Climate Camp (ICC), a Bangladesh-led regional climate initiative, has received the Social Impact Project of the Year recognition at the Bangladesh Project Management Symposium and Awards 2026, according to the camp’s organisers.

The award was presented on September 26 at the Grand Ballroom of the Radisson Blu Water Garden in Dhaka during the annual symposium organised by the Project Management Institute (PMI) Bangladesh Chapter. PMI Bangladesh confirms that Social Impact Project of the Year is one of four main Project of the Year categories in its 2026 awards programme, with projects further classified by size. The chapter had scheduled the award ceremony and announcement of results for September 26.

The International Climate Camp was recognised in the small-project segment for its work connecting youth leadership, climate education, regional cooperation and community-level environmental action, the organisers said.

The initiative brings together universities, environmental organisations, researchers, activists and young climate leaders from across South Asia. Organisations involved in the programme include the Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research (C3ER) at BRAC University, Waterkeepers Bangladesh, the Asian Peoples’ Movement on Debt and Development, Land Our Future Nepal, the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies and Mission Green Bangladesh.

The second International Climate Camp was held from July 7 to 11, 2026, across Kathmandu and Pokhara in Nepal. Pokhara University described the programme as a regional platform for youth empowerment, sustainability action and cross-border collaboration. Independent and institutional reports from the event put participation at more than 150 young activists, researchers, students and environmental advocates, rather than the more than 200 figure cited in some organiser material.

The programme combined academic discussions with field-based learning and engagement with communities. Participants explored subjects ranging from climate adaptation and renewable energy to sustainable water management, industrial pollution, nature-based solutions and youth-led environmental advocacy.

At Pokhara University, participants took part in thematic action labs designed to translate climate discussions into practical campaign and project ideas. The programme also included opportunities for young delegates to interact with policymakers, academics and climate specialists.

Among those listed in the programme were Nepal’s Minister for Agriculture, Forests and Environment Geeta Chaudhary, members of Nepal’s parliament, Bangladesh’s ambassador to Nepal and Farzana Faruk Jhumu, a youth adviser on climate change to the UN secretary-general.

The camp’s approach places particular emphasis on connecting regional policy discussions with experiences from communities already responding to environmental and climate pressures. Organisers say this combination of research, field engagement and youth participation is intended to help emerging climate leaders develop solutions that can be adapted to their own countries.

Ahsan Rony, founder and executive director of Mission Green Bangladesh, described the PMI recognition as an important milestone for the initiative, saying the project was built around the principle that young people facing climate risks should be involved not only in discussions about the crisis but also in designing and implementing solutions.

Professor Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder, dean of the Faculty of Science at Stamford University Bangladesh and chairman of the Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies, said the initiative demonstrates how applied science, academic research and civic participation can be brought together to address complex environmental challenges.

C3ER Deputy Director Roufa Khanam also highlighted the importance of locally led, evidence-based and inclusive adaptation, saying regional programmes can help connect institutional research with realities faced by climate-vulnerable communities.

The recognition comes as South Asian countries confront interconnected climate challenges ranging from flooding and extreme weather to air pollution, water stress and changes affecting Himalayan ecosystems. The International Climate Camp is seeking to strengthen cooperation among young people, researchers, universities and civil society organisations working across those issues.

PMI Bangladesh’s 2026 symposium was held under the theme “Projects with Purpose: Building a Resilient Bangladesh”, with the organisation saying the programme was intended to highlight projects capable of generating measurable social, economic and environmental impact.