Climate Week India (27 September – 4 October 2026) was a decentralised, community-led movement in which people and organisations across the country hosted local climate events, from villages to cities, in the languages people speak. It was a call to turn climate ambition into action at the local level.
As part of it, Common Ground partners in Jharkhand and Karnataka brought the climate conversation to villages, schools, and farming communities. They organised events ranging from youth awareness campaigns and children’s drawing competitions, to tree planting, cleanliness drives, and discussions with SHG women and farmers on water, forests, land, local food, changing weather, and village commons.
Here is a closer look at three of these events across Jharkhand and Karnataka.
A rakhi for every tree
Location: Kanjia, Daru Block, Hazaribag District (Jharkhand)
Facilitated by SUPPORT, under the theme ‘People, Action, and Sustainability’
Students, teachers, Self-Help Group members, village committee members, local leaders and the Mukhiya gathered at the Kanjia government school to undertake a cleanliness drive, a tree planting drive, an awareness rally, and a special ritual called “Raksha Bandhan for Trees.”
The day ended with everyone making a pledge together: to protect nature, save water, and build a greener future.
“Climate change is not merely a global issue. Its effects are increasingly visible in our villages, agricultural fields, water sources, forests, and everyday lives. Government efforts alone are not sufficient. Every individual, family, and community has an important role to play.”
Binod Kumar Singh, District Manager, SUPPORT
Commons and livelihoods
Location: Huvina Hipparagi, B Bagewadi Block, Vijayapura District (Karnataka)
Facilitated by Institute for Rural Development, Vijayapur, with Suzlon Foundation, FEVOURD-Karnataka, and Common Ground
More than fifteen farmers and community members gathered to participate in a tree planting drive, and an awareness programme on Commons conservation.
Dr. Babu Sajjan, CEO of IRD Vijayapur, and Santosh Halamani, IRD, led the discussion. They covered two questions: how to protect shared resources, and what could help farmers right now. The conversation also covered vermicompost, biogas, and bio-compost as approaches to build livelihood resilience, along with discussions on using renewable energy in government schools
Through the eyes of the next generation
Location: Bengabad, Deori, and Tisri Blocks (Jharkhand)
Facilitated by Abhivyakti Foundation, with support from TDH–BFTW and Gram Swashasan Abhiyan
Youth rallies and drawing competitions were organised for children and youth to encourage them to express their concerns and hope for their local environment.
SHG women shared traditional knowledge around local food systems: the crops and growing seasons they grew up with, and how these have started to change. PRI members, Jal Sahiyas (volunteers who manage local water resources), teachers, and students also took part in he discussions, leading to an inter-generational exchange of information.