A six-month youth climate education and innovation challenge that turns free, ready-built curriculum into local climate action — powered by Rotary clubs, judged by experts, and celebrated together on Earth Day.
TCI's climate literacy foundation + CAVU's storytelling toolkit, growing into local action.
“Growing Green Leaders” is a 6-month initiative designed to educate youth and advance Rotary's 7th Area of Focus — Supporting the Environment. Powered by The Climate Initiative's core leadership framework, the program is the foundational engine for every participating student.
Students complete The Climate Initiative's Climate Action Leadership Program (CALP) module to build climate literacy, analyze local impacts, and design community solutions.
Students use CAVU's storytelling and video production modules to translate their TCI action plans into compelling short films.
Local Rotary clubs and media partners provide recruitment, mentorship, RCAT judges, and public celebration for every division.
The contest is organized by grade so every age group has an entry point matched to its skill level, using existing free national programs wherever possible.
Students produce an original video (4 minutes or less) proposing a community-based climate solution, after completing the TCI CALP foundation and CAVU's storyboarding, storytelling, and production lessons. Sponsoring local Rotary clubs serve as project mentors while Interact clubs serve as peer recruitment channels.
Action Bridge — TCI Changemaker Award, Student Edition: An optional pathway for video participants who want to take their project off the screen and execute it in their local community. Winners submit an implementation plan directly to TCI for grant funding, technical assistance, and direct mentorship.
Advanced climate action proposals and storytelling for post-secondary youth, college students, young professionals, and Rotaract members 18+, using the TCI CALP framework plus an optional CAVU storytelling toolkit. Local Rotary clubs provide professional mentorship, with Rotaract clubs as key participant networks. Judged jointly by The Climate Initiative and the Rotary Climate Action Team, with top entrants presenting at Environmental Xperience conferences worldwide.
Program brand and website launch; sponsor recruitment begins.
Educator training webinars on The Climate Initiative's Learning Lab and CAVU's CIC curriculum; Rotary clubs adopt participating schools.
Students move through the 5-lesson pipeline in participating classrooms and clubs.
All division entries submitted for review.
Panels drawn from the coalition review every division.
Student finalists exhibited at Environmental Xperience events in the United States.
Winners announced across all divisions in a public, media-covered celebration.
None is asked to build new curriculum — that work already exists at The Climate Initiative and CAVU. The coalition's job is to recruit schools, fund prizes, judge submissions, promote the program, and host the celebration.
A bold new global sustainability event series launching alongside EarthX — the exhibition home for Growing Green Leaders finalists.
Learn moreA Global Service Club founded by Steve Bender, embracing the future while respecting the past.
Learn moreThe financial catalyst for the 7 Seas Initiative, funding ocean, climate, and community resilience projects worldwide.
Learn moreA global network of 702 Rotary clubs in 92 countries, mobilizing Rotarians, Interactors, and Rotaractors for climate action.
Learn moreA non-partisan youth climate education nonprofit whose Learning Lab and CALP framework already reach over 850,000 high schoolers and 6,200 educators worldwide.
Learn moreAn international STEAM program for grades 3–12 where students design climate solutions and turn them into short videos, culminating in an international showcase with cash prizes.
Learn moreSign-up is free. We'll follow Rotary International's youth protection guidance every step of the way — parents and guardians of every minor participant are part of the process.