An important event took place in Bishkek, where UNDP handed over the "Climate Box" educational kits to the Ministry of Education of the Kyrgyz Republic, both in printed and electronic formats.
According to the organization, these materials include teaching aids for students in Kyrgyz and Russian languages, as well as game kits and inclusive versions available in Easy-to-Read format and Braille.
Instructions and guides for teachers regarding extracurricular activities and project-based learning on climate change were also provided.
“Incorporating climate themes into school curricula is an important step towards ensuring safety and sustainable development. The 'Climate Box' provides teachers with the necessary tools, while students gain accessible knowledge and practical skills, fostering a responsible attitude towards the environment,” noted Almaz Toktomambetov, director of the Republican Institute for Advanced Training and Retraining of Educational Workers under the Ministry of Education and Science.
Ivan Prokopenko, advisor to the Embassy of the Russian Federation, emphasized: “Russia actively supports the sustainable development of Kyrgyzstan within various initiatives. Every year, the country allocates between 3 to 5 million dollars for various UN agency projects in Kyrgyzstan. The 'Climate Box' project, implemented since 2016, has significantly improved environmental awareness among schoolchildren and helped develop responsible behavior. It is especially gratifying to see talented children realizing their ideas through our joint project.”
According to UNDP Resident Representative Alexandra Solovyova, climate education is an investment in the future. “By handing over the 'Climate Box' to the Ministry of Education, we are taking a step towards ensuring that every schoolchild in Kyrgyzstan understands the impact of climate change on their lives. It is especially important that the materials are accessible to all children, including those with disabilities, making climate education truly inclusive,” she added.
A key moment of the program was the performance of students and teachers who shared their experiences in applying the 'Climate Box' materials in the educational process and project activities.
Nurasyl Abdyjaparov, a student from Secondary School No. 94 in Bishkek, shared that he previously thought the climate topic was complex and distant, but thanks to the 'Climate Box,' he was able to understand climate change issues through accessible examples and practical assignments. He realized that climate changes also affect Kyrgyzstan and people's lives.
For over ten years, UNDP has been investing in the development of innovative educational solutions. One such project is the 'Climate Box'—a global initiative demonstrating how international cooperation can enhance climate literacy among youth. Launched in 2014 as a pilot project in Eastern Europe and Central Asia, the program is successfully being implemented in its second, expanded phase using digital tools and inclusive versions.
This activity is carried out with the financial support of the Russian Federation.
Note: The 'Climate Box' has been implemented in the Kyrgyz Republic since 2016. In the initial stages, the project was tested in 21 schools with the participation of over 125 educators, then expanded to 100 schools and 500 teachers, and by 2018-2019, it reached nearly all schools in the country.
