Kathmandu - Renowned mountaineer and UNDP Nepal Youth Climate Influencer Purnima Shrestha delivered an emotional and inspiring address to fellows of the YECAP Nepal Shakers Fellowship 2025 on Thursday, sharing her journey of overcoming financial constraints, public criticism, and repeated failures to pursue her dreams in mountaineering.
Speaking to young representatives of youth-led civil society organizations (CSOs), Shrestha emphasized perseverance and purpose in the face of adversity.
“Failures, doubts, and financial hurdles didn’t stop me from climbing my dreams. Do what you love, even when the path seems impossible,” she said-earning a standing ovation from participants.
The session was part of the Youth Empowerment in Climate Action Platform (YECAP) Nepal Shakers Fellowship - Youth Climate Catalyst III, a UNDP initiative implemented by Youth Innovation Lab (YI-Lab). The program aims to build leadership, technical skills, and networks among youth-led organizations to advance inclusive climate action aligned with Nepal’s NDC 3.0 commitments.
As one of UNDP Nepal’s first official Youth Climate Influencers, Shrestha’s role extends beyond mountaineering accomplishments. She has witnessed visible climate-induced transformations in the Himalayas-retreating glaciers, shifting snowlines, and increased risks on high-altitude expeditions—turning her lived experiences into advocacy for climate justice.
The fellowship brings together selected youth leaders from across Nepal to undergo intensive capacity-building modules on climate governance, project design, and gender-responsive climate action. Over the course of the program, fellows will design local climate initiatives and coordinate with provincial and municipal governments for policy integration and community-based implementation.
Participants described Shrestha’s message as a turning point in their motivation. One fellow remarked that her story reinforced that “purpose-driven climate action requires the same grit as scaling mountains.”
The event highlighted a growing national momentum to position youth not only as campaigners and volunteers but as decision-shapers in climate policy and local adaptation planning.
