UNDP honours university clubs for air pollution awareness

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Bangladesh awarded three university clubs on 13 February 2025 for their innovative ideas and campaigns in raising awareness about air pollution.

Starting on a small scale in 2023, UNDP launched the "Breathe Well Dhaka" campaign to address growing concerns over air quality in the capital. Encouraged by an overwhelming response, the initiative expanded in 2024 into a nationwide campaign titled "Let's Breathe Well," engaging students' clubs from different universities nationwide to propose innovative solutions for air pollution.

The campaign's second phase saw participation from 174 university clubs representing 64 universities, which submitted their ideas to combat air pollution. An expert jury board reviewed the submissions and selected the top three clubs, Team Airrow BRACU, IPE Pokayoke RUET, and Air Savvy Med Squad BMSS, for their impactful initiatives. The campaign reached around 4 million people altogether.

The urgency of this campaign is more relevant than ever as Dhaka continues to struggle with some of the worst air quality levels globally. The winning university clubs shared their initiatives and activities during the award ceremony.

Team Airrow from BRAC University focused on mobilising communities in lower-income areas, ensuring access to critical information about air pollution. IPE Pokayoke from Rajshahi University of Engineering and Technology (RUET) emphasised educating students and fostering long-term awareness. A medical student club, Air Savvy Med Squad, addressed the issue of medical waste contributing to air pollution and engaged with patients to promote mask usage for health protection.

Arif Mohammad Faisal, Programme Specialist - Environmental Sustainability and Energy, UNDP, served as one of the jury members and praised the innovative ideas presented. "The submissions were so relevant and forward-thinking that selecting the top three was challenging. It is encouraging to see so many young minds engaged in tackling air pollution. We should consider forming a dedicated task force to advocate for lasting improvements in air quality," he remarked.

Md Abdul Quayyum, Head of Communications, UNDP Bangladesh, addressed the closing and prize-giving ceremony and said, "The energy and creativity these students have shown are truly inspiring. This online campaign has proven the power of youth in advocating for a cleaner environment. This is just the beginning. We will continue to support initiatives like these, working alongside other UNDP projects to address air pollution at all levels. Together, we can build a sustainable and healthier future for Bangladesh."

Iffat Anjum, Head of Exploration, Accelerator Lab, UNDP Bangladesh, added, "At the Accelerator Lab, we build on innovative solutions by expanding on what works and experimenting on the unknown. It's inspiring to see how these student-led initiatives are creating a ripple effect, and we are committed to further supporting them in exploring new ideas and solutions to air pollution."

While the awarded university clubs have already made significant contributions—planting over 100 trees and leveraging radio, print, and broadcast media for awareness—there is still much more to be done. The clubs pledged to continue their advocacy and activism, reinforcing their commitment to cleaner air for Bangladesh with a small grant of BDT 10,000 as the prize money.