The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has handed over the “Climate Box” to Kyrgyzstan’s Ministry of Education, providing schools with ready-to-use educational tools to strengthen climate literacy. According to Almaz Toktomambetov, Director of the Republican Institute for Advanced Training and Retraining of Pedagogical Workers, the toolkit equips teachers while giving students practical knowledge and skills that foster responsible attitudes toward the environment and natural resources.
Since its launch, the “Climate Box” has been adapted into 17 languages and implemented in 12 countries and three regions, reaching over 50,000 students and 7,000 teachers worldwide. The project has received support from the Russian Federation, which allocates USD 3–5 million annually to UN initiatives in Kyrgyzstan. Ivan Prokopenko, Counsellor at the Russian Embassy, highlighted that the programme has helped equip virtually all schools in the country with materials that raise environmental awareness and encourage responsible behavior among students.
The Kyrgyz implementation emphasized inclusivity, becoming the first country under the UNDP global project to offer the “Climate Box” in Easy-to-Read and Braille formats. This ensures that children with special educational needs can access climate education, while teachers gain additional resources for inclusive classrooms. UNDP Resident Representative Alexandra Solovieva noted that these efforts make climate education modern, accessible, and relevant for all students.
During the handover event, an interactive exhibition, “Climate Box in Action,” showcased student-led initiatives developed through the toolkit. Projects included improving air quality, monitoring greenhouse parameters, promoting biodiversity, responsible consumption, and waste sorting. Students and teachers shared their experiences applying the “Climate Box” materials in lessons and project-based work, demonstrating how theoretical knowledge translates into practical action.
Students like Nurasyıl Abdyzhaparov of Secondary School No. 94 in Bishkek explained that the toolkit helped simplify complex climate issues and illustrated their local relevance. Teachers, such as Angela Ganyuk from Secondary School No. 2 in Talas, highlighted that integrating climate topics across subjects develops interdisciplinary thinking and encourages interactive, project-based learning that engages students effectively.
The “Climate Box” initiative has been implemented in Kyrgyzstan since 2016, starting with pilot programmes in 21 schools and expanding to nearly all schools nationwide by 2018–2019. Over more than a decade, UNDP has invested in innovative educational solutions, demonstrating how international cooperation, adaptation to local contexts, and inclusive approaches can strengthen climate literacy among younger generations. The current phase includes digital tools, inclusive versions, and broader international collaboration, with continued financial support from the Russian Federation.
