Urban Green Walls is a youth-led project that aims to reduce urban heat and air pollution in Bishkek through low-cost, climate-adapted vertical greening. The project engages residents in planting and maintenance while training young leaders to coordinate installations, outreach and monitoring. Its innovative element is the use of underutilized building walls as living climate buffers, offering a solution where space for traditional green areas is limited. The model combines nature-based solutions, youth leadership, community ownership and scientific monitoring, and is designed for replication.
What made you want to be engaged in the fight against climate change?
I became engaged in the fight against climate change after seeing how environmental problems directly affect people and communities in Kyrgyzstan. Air pollution, rising temperatures, water scarcity and the loss of green spaces are already part of everyday life.
Working with young people and communities showed me that climate action can be practical and locally driven. I became especially interested in nature-based solutions that help cities adapt and give people an active role in creating change.
This led me to work on urban greening and youth climate initiatives. For me, climate action is about making our communities healthier, more resilient and better prepared for the changes we are already experiencing.
What motivates/inspires you?
What motivates me most is seeing that local action can lead to real change. I am inspired by young people who do not wait for someone else to solve environmental problems, but take initiative, bring communities together and turn ideas into practical solutions.
I am also motivated by the people I work with and the communities I meet. Their experiences remind me that climate change is not an abstract issue; it affects people’s health, livelihoods and everyday lives.
I believe that meaningful change happens when knowledge, community participation and action come together. Seeing a small idea grow into a project that others can take ownership of motivates me to keep learning, experimenting and creating new solutions.
What advice do you have for the youth that want to be involved with climate action?
My advice is to start where you are and focus on issues you can see in your own community. You do not need to be an expert or have a large project to make a difference. Learn from reliable sources, talk to people, join local initiatives and start with small, practical actions.
Do not be afraid to experiment. Some ideas may not work the first time, and that is part of the process. What matters is learning, adapting and continuing.
Most importantly, work with others. Climate action becomes stronger when young people, communities, experts and decision-makers work together. Your voice and experience matter, so use them to bring attention to problems and advocate for solutions.
Which type of organisation would be most valuable for you to connect with during the event and why?
I would be most interested in connecting with universities and research centres, governmental institutions, and private-sector organisations working on climate and urban development. With universities and research centres, we could exchange knowledge and experience, as our organisation also conducts environmental and climate research. We could explore joint research, methodologies and data sharing. With governmental institutions, I would like to learn how they engage with civil society and what mechanisms for public participation they use in decision-making and policy development.