SHAMIM AKHTAR

Shamim is a passionate advocate from a rural area having eyewitnessed of the climate change impact and he is serving for climate action and social change. As the Founder & CEO of Youth Action for Nature and Growth (YANG), he leads youth-driven initiatives aim at promoting sustainable practices in mountainous regions of Pakistan. With a background in education, leadership, and climate advocacy, Shamim is dedicated to creating long-term solutions that empower communities and promote sustainable development.

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Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings! 

I was born and raised in a mountainous region of Pakistan, where access to education and basic facilities was limited, especially for girls. Despite the barriers, I remained determined to pursue education and became the first girl in my extended family to graduate. My childhood taught me resilience and the importance of speaking up for others who have been silenced or sidelined. This early struggle inspired my lifelong commitment to education, climate justice and youth empowerment.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

My community faces multiple challenges including climate-induced disasters like glacial melting and water scarcity, gender inequality, lack of access to quality education and insufficient youth participation in decision-making processes. These are compounded by socio-cultural restrictions, especially on youth mobility and leadership.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them? 

Being a social activist advocating for change in a conservative society, I’ve faced skepticism, resistance, and at times, threats. My work in remote regions—promoting education for out-of-school children and leading climate initiatives—was often viewed with doubt. But I learned to engage communities with empathy and persistence. I relied on mentorship, built partnerships with local leaders, and let the results of my projects speak for themselves.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you? 

A mentor provides perspective, guidance, and encouragement. My mentor through the GTF programme has been instrumental in helping me clarify my goals, navigate challenges and think more strategically. Having someone to reflect ideas with who truly listens is powerful—it reinforces that I’m not alone in my journey.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share? 

Yes—never underestimate the ripple effect of your voice or your actions. Even when things seem small, your courage can inspire many others to rise. I have seen this in youth who enrolled in school because they saw someone like them making a difference. 

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

Youth Action for Next Generations is doing transformative work on climate change, education, water accessibility and youth leadership. Their support of the ICE Topa project, which stores glacial water to fight water scarcity in remote areas, has impacted hundreds of lives. I’ve had the privilege of working with them on ground.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

Women in Pakistan face early marriage, restricted mobility, limited access to education and employment, and underrepresentation in leadership roles. However, there's a growing movement of youth-led organizations and government-backed initiatives working on girls' education, women entrepreneurship, digital inclusion, and political empowerment. I’ve also contributed to projects focused on educating young mothers and forming women-led community education committees.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by. 

"Be the voice you once needed."

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do? 

I would scale up my Green Youth Alliance initiative to every mountain district in South Asia. It would train young people—especially girls—as climate leaders, provide them with seed grants, and establish “Green Hubs” for environmental education, innovation, and eco-entrepreneurship. These hubs would be powered by solar energy and managed locally, ensuring sustainability and ownership.

Q: How is technology utilised for social impact in your country? For example are there mobile apps that support gender equality, inclusion, understanding of cultures?

Technology is becoming a lifeline for advocacy and learning. Mobile apps like Taleemabad support children's education, while platforms like SheMeansBusiness empower women entrepreneurs. Digital campaigns are used to raise awareness on climate change, health, and rights. In my work, I’ve used WhatsApp, Google Forms, and virtual learning platforms to reach parents in remote areas and gather education data.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add?

I’m deeply grateful for the GTF Mentoring Programme, it’s not only a learning journey but also a source of connection and hope. I believe mentoring can break cycles of inequality and I look forward to mentoring others one day. I also hope to continue bridging global ideas with local impact, especially through youth and climate advocacy.