Each summer since 2023, the Resilience Youth Network has hosted a virtual climate-resilience Fellowship for young leaders, primarily based in South Asia. Below are the rosters and curricula from each past program.
2025 Fellowship
Fellowship Director: Deepak Marahatta
Fellows
Aakriti Pant (Nepal) — Aakriti Pant is an undergraduate with honors from Kathmandu University School of Management, exploring how fintech, climate, and research intersect to shape resilient futures. She works at Xuno, a fintech company advancing cross-border payments, and supports climate education and disaster readiness through accelerator programs. She is passionate about integrating economics and postmodernist literature into her work.
Aayusha GC (Nepal) — Aayusha GC studied Social Work at St. Xavier’s College and is passionate about turning her environmental concerns into purposeful action.
Akanchhya Shrestha (Nepal) — Akanchhya Shrestha is passionate about creating positive change in society. With experience in youth-led initiatives, social impact projects, and community engagement, she enjoys learning from diverse perspectives and contributing to meaningful conversations. Her interests span gender equality, education, and environmental awareness.
Ankit Kumar Singh (India) — Ankit Kumar Singh studied History and Political Science at Delhi University and earned a Diploma in Built Environment and Sustainability at Anant National University. He is a sustainability strategist with over three years of experience driving impact across climate action, education, and business innovation. He has facilitated scholarships for over 2,000 students, educated more than 5,000 individuals in cryptocurrency literacy, and improved urban water quality by 40%. As a Green Earth Action Ambassador, he mobilized over 10,000 people and organized Jharkhand’s first international climate summit, drawing more than 600 attendees. He also co-led a circular economy project benefiting seven slums and empowered 60 girls with bicycles through the IOC-backed Ek Beti, Ek Cycle initiative. Ankit helped Nexcrypto generate $2.5 million in revenue — proving that purpose and profit can go hand in hand.
Angel Magar (Nepal) — Angel Magar studied Environmental Science at Tribhuvan University. She has worked with youth-led organizations and contributed to community-based environmental initiatives.
Aner Zabdial Rai (Nepal) — Aner Zabdial Rai was born in Kathmandu, with family roots in Kalimpong, West Bengal, India. He is an undergraduate student at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar, and a youth intern at Youth Advocacy Nepal. Aner has served as a Documentation Specialist and Advisor at We for Us. He is curious and optimistic.
Dev Karan (India) — Dev Karan is a high school student deeply interested in engineering, sustainability, and how science can solve real-world problems in overlooked communities. He founded Pondora, an initiative to revive neglected village ponds, and led EchoShield, a project that detects crop diseases using ultrasonic emissions. Dev has presented his work at the UN ECOSOC Youth Forum, World Sustainable Development Summit, RSI-India, IRIS, and the Genius Olympiad. He serves as Vice Head Boy at DPS and leads the India chapter of Climate Cardinals, making climate knowledge accessible. Dev believes the best solutions begin by listening to the people most affected.
Helika Poudel (Nepal) — Helika Poudel completed her undergraduate degree in Social Work at Tribhuvan University. She is passionate about community engagement, raising awareness, and providing education on climate and disaster resilience. Helika believes this work is vital as climate change increases the frequency and impact of disasters.
Muhammad Mubashar Hanif (Pakistan) — Muhammad Mubashar Hanif recently completed his Bachelor’s in Agricultural Engineering from the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad. He has presented research at national and international conferences, earning awards for Best Poster and Best Oral Presentation. Muhammad has also led projects on water quality monitoring, agricultural residue management, and air pollution control.
Nayana Karmacharya (Nepal) — Nayana Karmacharya studied Social Work at St. Xavier’s College. She has a strong interest in psychology, program coordination, and research, which shaped her academic and fieldwork engagement. As an LSRA Research Award recipient, she has participated in multiple research projects and gained experience through diverse internships.
Nischal Raj Gautam (Nepal) — Nischal Raj Gautam is a youth climate advocate from Nepal, studying at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar. He works as a part-time educator and contributes to global initiatives, including the World Food Forum and Amnesty International.
Nusreek Rahman (Bangladesh) — Nusreek Rahman is a UN-certified Civil and Water Resources Engineer based in Dhaka, Bangladesh, with content and media work spanning WaterAid Bangladesh, the Center for Policy Dialogue, Monash University (Australia), and the IFRC. He aspires to be an agent of change for the Global South, serving as a bridge between nations to promote collaboration and resilience across borders.
Sagar Dhakal (Nepal) — Sagar Dhakal is pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Agriculture at the Rampur Campus, IAAS, Tribhuvan University, Chitwan. He is interested in research, youth empowerment, and volunteering for social programs. He enjoys writing articles and is dedicated to making a positive contribution through his academic and volunteer work.
Subha Nandula (India) — Subha Nandula is a curious marine biology enthusiast and passionate science communicator with strong skills in research, writing, and public speaking. She has experience in scientific and creative writing, event coordination, and leadership. Subha is dedicated to environmental protection and sustainable innovation through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Swarnika Pudasaini (Nepal) — Swarnika Pudasaini studied Social Work at St. Xavier’s College, Maitighar. As an LSRA Research Award recipient, she developed a strong research interest and gained practical experience through internships in diverse social work settings. Swarnika is committed to meaningful social change and strives to integrate learning with action.
Umar Shareef (India) — Umar Shareef, from Jammu and Kashmir, is a Biotechnology student passionate about research, writing, and creating positive change. With six years of experience in community service, he has worked to improve literacy and numeracy in underserved areas. Umar is an eloquent public speaker and a reflective writer who seeks to make meaningful contributions to biotechnology and social development on a global scale.
Guest Speakers
| Week | Date | Topic | Guest Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 29 | Fellowship Overview, Fellow and Board Introductions, Resilience Basics | RYN Board Members |
| 2 | July 6 | Resilience for Buildings – Case Study: Nepal | Aris Papadopoulos |
| 3 | July 13 | Disaster Risk Reduction | Prof. Jiwnath Ghimire, Deepak Marahatta |
| 4 | July 20 | Climate Impacts and Solutions | Dane Carlson, Sahara Mishra |
| 5 | July 27 | Climate Communication, Civics, and Governance | Max Sano; GreenZine (RYN publishing partner) |
2024 Fellowship
Fellowship Director: Deepak Marahatta
Fellows
Muna Adhikari (Nepal) — Muna Adhikari, from Karnali Province, Nepal, is an environmental science student at Golden Gate International College. She seeks to deepen her understanding of resilience to contribute positively to her community.
Richa Kafle (Nepal) — Richa Kafle is a bachelor’s student in social work at St. Xavier’s College, affiliated with Kathmandu University. She is actively involved in various organizations, such as the Nepal Red Cross Society and JCI Kirtipur, and is passionate about exploring and contributing to social causes.
Sweta Singh Sijapati (Nepal) — Sweta Singh Sijapati is an undergraduate social work student at St. Xavier’s College in Kathmandu, Nepal. As a Project Manager at We for Us, she is dedicated to empowering youth and actively engaged in various social initiatives to make a difference in her community.
Monika Jirel (Nepal) — Monika Jirel studied forestry at Kathmandu Forestry College. Passionate about climate change, urban forestry, and biodiversity conservation, she actively participates in volunteer projects and advocates for environmentally friendly practices in educational institutions.
Bishal Khanal (Nepal) — Bishal Khanal pursued a B.Sc. in Forestry at the Institute of Forestry, Hetauda Campus. He has a strong interest in wildlife, climate change, and GIS and remote sensing technology. He is a founding member of AACD IOF HTD and has received recognition for his contributions to environmental research and advocacy.
Anmol Pant (Nepal) — Anmol Pant is pursuing a BSW in Psychology at St. Xavier’s College, Kathmandu. A curious enthusiast, he aims to create positive change.
Krishna Verma (Nepal) — Krishna Verma is pursuing a bachelor’s in Development Studies at Kathmandu University, Dhulikhel, with a keen interest in environmental sustainability, climate change, and disaster management. She is passionate about contributing to environmental conservation.
Purnika Dhakal (Nepal) — Purnika Dhakal, a graduate of Peace Zone Awasiya Madhyamik Vidyalaya Sunsari, is keen on accounting, playing, and social work. As a former President of the Interact Club, she demonstrated leadership in initiatives such as school sanitation drives and COVID-19 awareness campaigns. Her interests include environmental management and climate change.
Aasna Sthapit (Nepal) — Aasna Sthapit is a local resident of Kathmandu, attending high school at Trinity International College. She is interested in psychology and sociology and aspires to become a psychologist and social worker. Inspired by climate change awareness videos, she aims to spread awareness.
Sabnam Niraula (Nepal) — Sabnam Niraula from Chitwan seeks to align her long-term career goals with her interest in climate change.
Guest Speakers
| Week | Date | Topic | Guest Speakers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 16 | Welcome, Introductions, and Climate GIS / Mapping | RYN Executive Board |
| 2 | June 23 | Disaster Risk Reduction: Wildfires, and Extreme Storms/Weather | Deepak Marahatta, Jiwnath Ghimire |
| 3 | June 30 | Climate Design | Kira Clingen, Dane Carlson |
| 4 | July 7 | Landslides & Riverine Flooding: Impacts and Solutions | Robert Fetell, Aris Papadopoulos |
| 5 | July 14 | Climate Civics, Governance, and Finance | Paul Presendieu, Sarang Mani, Kobi Weinberg |
| Capstone | August 18 | Capstone Project Presentations (with intermittent team check-ins throughout July / early August) | RYN Executive Board and Invited Guests (incl. Max Sano) |
2023 Fellowship
Details coming soon.