Y4E-SEA Expands Access to Climate and Clean Energy Education for Vulnerable Communities Through Youth-Led AMPLIFY Program in Tangerang, Indonesia

Participants and orgranizers of AMPLIFY 2026

Tangerang, Indonesia, 14 March 2026 – As climate impacts intensify across Southeast Asia, access to climate and clean energy education remains uneven, particularly for children in vulnerable communities. Acknowledging this gap, Youth for Energy Southeast Asia (Y4E-SEA) initiated AMPLIFY (Awareness Movement on Planet, Low-Carbon Energy, Impact, Future and Youth), a youth-led program designed to bring climate awareness and renewable energy literacy closer to grassroots communities.

As the first implementation of the program, AMPLIFY Vol. 1 was held in South Tangerang, engaging 40 children aged 5–15 from underserved backgrounds. The program was carried out in collaboration with Generasi Energi Bersih (GenB) Indonesia and supported by Yayasan Indonesia Bebas Emisi and the Institute for Essential Services Reform (IESR), reflecting a shared commitment to expanding access to inclusive climate education and advancing localized energy transition efforts.

While climate discourse often takes place in policy rooms and global forums, AMPLIFY brings the conversation to equally critical spaces at the community level. Children in marginalized environments are among those most exposed to pollution, waste, and climate risks, yet they are often excluded from access to foundational knowledge on sustainability and clean energy. By introducing these concepts early, the program seeks to bridge this gap and nurture a generation that is not only aware, but empowered to act.

“Children are not just future stakeholders, they are already living the realities of climate change today.Through AMPLIFY, we are making climate education more accessible, relatable, and grounded in their everyday experiences, while positioning them as active participants in shaping a more sustainable future.," said Wanda Rahmalestari, Program Lead of AMPLIFY Vol.1.

The program opened with remarks from Valencia Octaviani, Program Director of Y4E-SEA, and Ilham Maulana, National Chairperson of GenB, underscoring a shared commitment to expanding access to climate and clean energy education at the community level.

Designed with a child-centered learning curriculum, AMPLIFY translated complex environmental and energy concepts into engaging, hands-on experiences through a structured learning journey. The curriculum was designed to move from awareness to understanding, and ultimately to application, enabling children to grasp sustainability concepts in a way that is both accessible and relevant to their daily lives.

Hands-on dynamo experiment as part of AMPLIFY’s learning curriculum

The learning journey began with a wayang storytelling session, where children explored narratives about protecting the Earth from pollution. This was followed by a hands-on dynamo experiment facilitated by Dr. Ardhi Arsala Rahmani, Research and Development Director of Y4E–SEA, allowing participants to observe how movement can generate electricity and introducing the fundamental principles of renewable energy. Building on this foundation, children also assembled a simple turbine model, reinforcing their understanding through experiential learning and demonstrating how renewable energy can be generated through practical mechanisms.

Interactive games and creative workshops further reinforced these concepts. Children learned to distinguish between harmful and sustainable energy sources through visual play, while a recycling session encouraged them to transform used plastic bottles into plant pots, connecting environmental awareness with practical action. For many participants, the experience was both educational and empowering. “Today I learned about energy, painting, and making a promise not to litter while also having fun,” shared Saripah (11). The program concluded with a personal pledge activity, where each child committed to simple actions to care for the environment, turning awareness into intention, and intention into everyday practice.

Echoing the importance of early intervention, Ilham, emphasized, “Introducing environmental awareness at a young age is key to building a generation that understands the importance of clean energy and sustainability. Through collaboration with Y4E-SEA, we hope to expand this impact and inspire more young people across Indonesia to take part in protecting our planet.”

Hosted at Taman Baca Amalia, a community learning center supporting children from vulnerable backgrounds—including families of waste collector—the program demonstrates how youth-led initiatives can complement and strengthen existing grassroots education efforts. Beyond a one-day intervention, AMPLIFY reflects Y4E-SEA’s broader mission to move climate advocacy beyond policy spaces and into direct community engagement. As a pilot initiative, it presents a scalable model for youth-led climate education that can be replicated across Indonesia and the wider Southeast Asian region.