Indian Eco-Entrepreneur Showcases Educational Models at COP30 in Belém

The recent climate summit, COP30, held in Belém, Brazil, from November 10 to 21, 2025, served as a significant platform for Indian youth representative Saurabh S. Sindhe to highlight innovative educational strategies. Sindhe attended as part of the 2025 cohort of the Youth Eco-Entrepreneur Program (YECO), facilitated by the International Trade Centre (ITC).

As one of only ten small and medium enterprises globally selected for this year’s YECO cohort, Sindhe actively participated in the Conference of Youth (COY20). During these sessions, he focused discussions on food systems, drawing specific attention to India's National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This foundational policy, designed to overhaul India's educational structure, strongly emphasizes experiential learning and food-farming literacy, aligning perfectly with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Sindhe presented simple, cost-effective school models during several key panel discussions. These included a session organized by ActionAid Brazil and another focused on water-resilient food systems, co-hosted by the FAO, IWMI, and EMBRAPA. His models effectively integrate food cultivation, nutritional awareness, and environmental education, proving how hands-on methods can bolster community resilience.

His engagement at COP30 was further enriched by his involvement in the national-level ‘Viksit Bharat Young Leaders Dialogue’ (VBYLD), an initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Notably, the Minister for Women, Youth, Sports, and Social Affairs of Kiribati, the Honourable Ruth Atuake Eteni Ruth K. K. K. K., showed considerable interest in the presented models. Given Kiribati’s acute food security challenges, the Minister expressed a keen desire to implement micro-programs focused on food and agricultural education within the island nation's schools.

Currently, a collaborative framework is being established for pilot programs in Kiribati. Under this arrangement, OMG, the organization founded by Saurabh S. Sindhe and Suchith S. Sindhe, will provide the necessary technical expertise and curriculum development. OMG’s mission involves transforming classrooms into 'Nature Labs,' where children learn practical skills in growing food and adopting sustainable lifestyles. With operations spanning India, Fiji, and Australia, OMG’s work directly supports the principles of India’s NEP 2020 and the broader Mission LiFE initiative.

Mission LiFE, which stands for Lifestyle for Environment, was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 in Glasgow on November 1, 2021. This global movement advocates for a shift away from mindless consumption toward mindful resource utilization, aiming to mobilize at least one billion individuals by the year 2028. Delegates such as Sindhe are urging global leaders and educators to prioritize classroom-based climate action and lend robust support to youth-led projects, underscoring the vital role practical education plays in building worldwide sustainability.