Climate futures: An initiative that supports artist-led climate solutions in South Asia
In a move to champion creative climate action, the British Council—the UK's international organization for cultural relations and educational opportunities—has announced the 11 beneficiaries of its 2025
Climate Futures: South Asia
programme.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
This pioneering initiative empowers artists and cultural organizations across India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka to develop and implement innovative, artist-led solutions to address the climate crisis and foster sustainable change within their communities.
Through grants, mentorship, and collaborative support, the 2025
Climate Futures: South Asia
grantees will lead impactful projects focusing on cultural preservation, community engagement, and environmental resilience.
The programme aims to elevate the arts as a vital force in climate action, strengthen grassroots responses, and nurture meaningful UK–South Asia collaborations.
Speaking about the programme, Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India at the
British Council
, said: 'These projects are more than just creative expressions—they are essential responses to the urgent need for climate action. By supporting these visionary initiatives, we are helping to safeguard cultural heritage, promote sustainability, and empower communities across India and the region to take meaningful action on climate change.
We believe the ripple effects of these projects will inspire others to join the movement. In India, such initiatives bring together the country's deep-rooted cultural traditions with bold, innovative climate solutions, driving meaningful, community-led change for a more resilient future.'
Adding to this, Jill Richens, British Council Regional Arts Director, South Asia, noted:
'The grantees of
Climate Futures: South Asia
are leading the charge in using the power of art to confront the climate emergency.
Tired of too many ads? go ad free now
These projects demonstrate the ability of culture to spark action and inspire communities to adapt, preserve, and innovate. We are thrilled to support them and look forward to the lasting impact they will have—both locally and globally. This is just the beginning; we hope to see even more groundbreaking projects emerge from the region in the future.'
The 2025
Climate Futures: South Asia
grantees are spearheading diverse and impactful projects across the region.
Using creative arts as a vehicle for climate engagement, the selected initiatives include:
India :
Emerging Ecologies, documenting reforestation efforts;
Mapping Nature's Palette, promoting sustainable dyeing practices.
: Emerging Ecologies, documenting reforestation efforts; Mapping Nature's Palette, promoting sustainable dyeing practices. Bangladesh :
Crafting Togetherness, preserving traditional crafts;
Discovering Matarbari Folk Tales, archiving local heritage;
Shak Pitari, capturing women's ecological knowledge.
: Crafting Togetherness, preserving traditional crafts; Discovering Matarbari Folk Tales, archiving local heritage; Shak Pitari, capturing women's ecological knowledge. Nepal :
Carbon Footprint Mapping for artisans;
Enhancing Women's Climate Resilience through storytelling.
: Carbon Footprint Mapping for artisans; Enhancing Women's Climate Resilience through storytelling. Pakistan :
Eco Block Tower, raising awareness about ecosystem diversity;
Weaving Together, promoting coastal resilience through textile art.
: Eco Block Tower, raising awareness about ecosystem diversity; Weaving Together, promoting coastal resilience through textile art. Sri Lanka:
Circular Creative Companions, advocating for sustainable exhibition practices;
Regenerating South Asian Climate Futures, encouraging cross-sector collaboration in biodiversity hotspots.
Each project exemplifies the transformative potential of art in addressing the climate emergency—fostering dialogue, amplifying community voices, and inspiring sustainable action.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
29-05-2025
- Time of India
‘Mangoes made my childhood sweeter'
Mangoes mean sticky fingers and long summer days. Back then, summer arrived with the smell of pickles, mango-splattered afternoons, and fights over the last aanti. CT speaks to four self-confessed mango lovers who recall their childhood memories. Actress Gargee RoyChowdhury's mango memories are dipped in simplicity and whole plate of love. 'Dudh, aam, kola diye makha bhaat was summer on a plate. It is my comfort food. But, the prized possession was always the aanti. We'd fight over who gets to cherish it.' Gargee said: 'No mango dessert now can beat that memory,' adding, 'Today, there are mango souffles and cakes, but nothing replaces the sweet comfort of dudh-aam-bhaat. ' Ekavali Khanna Actress Ekavali Khanna's summers were rooted in the quiet charm of her father's farmhouse in Barasat. 'We'd visit during my school holidays. I remember it having a huge mango orchard. I still remember the joy of watching mangoes being plucked and carefully arranged into huge jhuris. They were sent off to relatives, neighbours, and friends. Sharing mangoes was our way of nurturing bonds. It wasn't grand, but it was a deeply warm sentiment. ' I survived on just Dr Debanjan Chakrabarti, director, British Council, East and Northeast India, grew up in Ghatsila, where mango trees dotted every backyard. 'I was the designated climber among my friends, sometimes in our own garden, often in others. When neighbours complained, my dad's scoldings were inevitable, but part of the thrill,' he said. He added: 'During my upanayan ceremony, the dietary restrictions were made bearable only because of the sweet Himsagar mangoes I consumed. ' For musician Upal Sengupta shared that at his home, a Himsagar tree grew tall against all odds. 'Many said it wouldn't thrive, but it did,' he recalls. But harvesting was a group effort. 'We couldn't climb, so when someone did and tossed us mangoes, we had to catch them. It was serious business for us kids. We never let a single mango fall,' he shared with a grin. Quotes: The taste of aam dudh bhaat is still so fresh in my memory. It was what I looked forward to the most as a child –Gargee RoyChowdhuryFrom piles of raw mangoes, my dadima would carefully decide the ones that would be pickled. I don't even need to close my eyes to remember the aroma of it–Ekavali KhannaI still remember my grandma's tok daal. My mom still makes the best aam kheer with Himsagar & Langda mangoes – Dr Debanjan ChakrabartiCatching fresh Himsagar harvest is a loved childhood memory. It was a game with a sweet reward. And, we had to catch them and win–Upal Sengupta Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Time of India
British Council & Natural History Museum bring wildlife wonders to India
The British Council and London's Natural History Museum (NHM) have joined forces to bring the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition to India. The 60th edition of the renowned showcase, featuring award-winning photographs that capture the "beauty and fragility of the natural world," opened at the British Council on May 2 and will run until June 6, 2025. The exhibition's inauguration was marked by the presence of Rt Hon Lisa Nandy MP, UK Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, highlighting the significance of this cultural event. Alison Barrett MBE, country director India, British Council, emphasised the power of art in driving change, stating, 'The Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is a testament to the power of art to inspire action. By hosting this showcase at the British Council, we aim to spark meaningful conversations about conservation and creativity, engaging young people we work with in the global movement to protect our planet's biodiversity. ' Dr Doug Gurr, director of the Natural History Museum, expressed his delight in bringing the exhibition to New Delhi, noting, 'We're delighted to present Wildlife Photographer of the Year in New Delhi, India, with a showcase of our category winning images. These are photographs that not only encourage further wildlife conservation efforts, but that spark the creation of real advocates for our planet on a global scale.' by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Google Brain Co-Founder Andrew Ng, Recommends: Read These 5 Books And Turn Your Life Around Blinkist: Andrew Ng's Reading List Undo This collaboration, supported by the foreign, commonwealth & development office, aims to engage diverse audiences in India – from students to artists – in crucial discussions about sustainability and biodiversity. The British Council underscores its long-standing commitment to the arts as a tool for "fostering dialogue, creativity, and global collaboration." Beyond photographs, the month-long exhibition will feature a range of engaging activities, including a digital library wall, a curated book display, a children's drawing session on 'Wildlife Conservation', a creative writing competition for children in the British Council's Summer School, a screening of Ashwika Kapur's documentary 'Catapults to Cameras', and a panel discussion with representatives from the Natural History Museum and the British High Commission. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Time of India
07-05-2025
- Time of India
Wildlife photography exhibition opens at British Council India
London's Natural History Museum 's prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition has opened at the British Council in India. The 60th edition of the acclaimed showcase, running from May 2nd to June 6th, 2025, presents award-winning photographs capturing the beauty and vulnerability of the natural world. The inauguration by UK Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP marks the beginning of a month-long celebration of art, biodiversity, and conservation. The British Council's hosting of this global exhibition reflects its dedication to promoting cultural exchange and fostering conversations around critical environmental concerns among diverse audiences. This initiative is a result of ongoing collaboration to share world-class British culture and spark discussions on climate and nature on the occasion, Alison Barrett MBE, Country Director India, British Council said, 'The Natural History Museum Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition is a testament to the power of art to inspire action. By hosting this showcase at the British Council, we aim to spark meaningful conversations about conservation and creativity, engaging young people we work with in the global movement to protect our planet's biodiversity.' Speaking on the annual exhibit's 60edition being featured at the British Council, Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum, said, 'We're delighted to present Wildlife Photographer of the Year in New Delhi, India, with a showcase of our category winning are photographs that not only encourage further wildlife conservation efforts, but that spark the creation of real advocates for our planet on a global scale.'The Wildlife Photographer of the Year exhibition in New Delhi features extraordinary category-winning images from photographers all over the world, capturing rare moments in nature and highlighting pressing conservation challenges. The month-long exhibit will also feature a variety of engaging events and activities, including a digital library wall and curated book display, a drawing session for children on the theme of 'Wildlife Conservation', a creative writing competition for children participating in the British Council's Delhi Teaching Centre's Summer School, screening of Ashwika Kapur's documentary 'Catapults to Cameras', and a panel discussion with representatives from the Natural History Museum, London, and the British High Commission.
