Seeds of Change: Sustainability Skill Building Workshop and the Quest for Sustained Impact
In the realm of sustainability education and green employment, LiveGreen@Ashoka recently orchestrated a transformative workshop, Ecocareers and Beyond: A Sustainability Skill Building Workshop facilitated by Supriya Panchangam (The Future Founders Co.) and Ishita Agarwal. The curtains lifted on an exhilarating first day, where the participants and facilitators converged for a vibrant introduction and icebreaker session. The core of sustainability education is unfurled with a dynamic exploration of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). There was a group activity where participants had to map mission statements to the 17 SDGs that injected life into the session, making complex concepts tangible.
As the spotlight shifted to green jobs, participants delved into diverse sectors and engaged in an illuminating case study on a sustainability organisation. Students interacted with Singapore-based Keith Wo, a sustainability consultant (Cleantech and Strategy) at Schneider Electric. Creative thinking took centre stage, with participants generating imaginative green job titles aligned with their interests. The day was at its zenith with a session dedicated to action and personal commitment. Participants crafted personal action plans and shared resources, emphasising individual commitment to sustainability. That set the stage for a transformative journey in daily life and future careers. Day two commenced with a deep dive into Sustainable Entrepreneurship. Discussions on green entrepreneurship’s impact on the environment and society unfolded, exploring trends, funding options, and essential support for entrepreneurial ideas with Himanshi Singh, UN Young SDG Innovator and UnleashSDG Innovation lab winner through one one-on-one live interaction. Himanshi is a green entrepreneur and runs BareCraft Consulting and she shared her experience of building and growing sustainability-based business with the students. The workshop then seamlessly transitioned into the Campus Sustainability Challenge, where teams tackled a campus-specific sustainability issue.

Idea generation and solution development became the day’s focal points, with discussions extending to evolving markets and trends in green entrepreneurship. The highlight was the pitching session, where teams presented innovative solutions using a design-thinking framework. The winning team received certificates and a cash prize. In the end, a post-programme assessment provided a reflective conclusion to this enriching two-day workshop.
The impact of the workshop was evident in the reported improvements. Participants demonstrated improvement in understanding the 17 SDGs, indicating enhanced knowledge and awareness. Similarly, a 100% improvement was reported in awareness of skills required for securing a green job, showcasing the workshop’s success in contributing to participants’ understanding of essential skills in the sustainability sector.
Feedback from participants echoed the success of the workshop’s goals. One participant shared that it gave them a real-life experience of going from a problem to finding a specific solution. Another participant described it as one of the best workshops, expressing a desire to repeat the experience while a third one emphasised the revelation of issues close to home and a yearning for more in-depth analyses.
However, amidst the triumphs and transformative moments, a challenge for the future emerged – the contrast between the registration for the workshop and the somewhat disappointing turnout in attendance. As the echoes of the workshop reverberate in the corridors of learning, there is a call for innovative strategies to enhance future participation. The challenge, it seems, lies in transforming passive interest into sustained engagement. Perhaps future iterations of such workshops could explore dynamic outreach methods, leveraging technology, and crafting post-event initiatives that keep the flame of enthusiasm burning.
In addressing this challenge, we find ourselves at a juncture where creativity and resourcefulness become imperative. A proactive approach to understanding the contributing factors of attendance disparities and tailoring future initiatives to bridge this gap is essential.
Despite this challenge, the workshop remains a testament to the potential for change in the hearts and minds of participants. The commitment to sustainability is evident, and the call to action extends beyond the workshop walls. The challenge, therefore, becomes an opportunity—to refine and amplify the impact of future endeavours, ensuring that the flame kindled during such initiatives continues to burn brightly, illuminating the path towards a more sustainable future.