Net Zero Heroes

GAWIREA

Net Zero Heroes

Bridging climate education and green jobs for women and youth through interactive tech, solar tools, and AI learning support.

Indonesia

IDN

Hybrid of for-profit and nonprofit

In many rural and indigenous communities across Indonesia, young people—especially girls and women—are being left behind in the shift toward a green economy. They often lack access to quality education, let alone opportunities to learn about climate change or renewable energy. Even though Indonesia has huge potential for solar energy, most youth in these areas don’t have the tools, support, or training to get involved. At the same time, global demand for green jobs is rising. Southeast Asia alone will need over 14 million green workers by 2030, but without action, the gap between urban and rural opportunities will only grow. In the areas where we work, many youth are out of school or unemployed, and women face extra barriers due to gender roles, low digital access, and limited exposure to technical skills. We’re solving this by combining AI-powered learning with hands-on renewable energy training. Our platform helps young people—especially from vulnerable backgrounds—build confidence, learn practical green skills, and explore climate careers. We want to make sure no one is left behind in the transition to a sustainable future.

Our solution blends interactive technology with hands-on learning to help young people—especially girls, women, and youth in rural communities—build real skills in climate action and renewable energy. At the center of this program is Yokha, an AI-powered chatbot that acts like a mentor, guiding learners through fun and accessible lessons about solar energy, sustainability, and green job opportunities. The platform is mobile-friendly, works offline, and uses local languages to make learning inclusive and relevant. To bring the learning to life, we provide toolkits that include solar mini training kits, where students can physically wire small solar panels, batteries, and lights to understand how solar power works. We also use AR/VR experiences to let youth explore virtual solar farms or wind turbines, and we design games and DIY kits—from solar toys to simple circuit boards—to spark curiosity, especially for younger students. By combining tech-based learning with real-world practice, we help learners build confidence, apply their knowledge, and even start small green businesses. It’s about making climate education not just something you learn, but something you do—with tools, imagination, and community.

We work with young people who are often overlooked—girls, young women, and youth from rural or indigenous communities in Indonesia. Many of them have big dreams but face real barriers: limited access to education, little exposure to technology, and few opportunities to learn about the growing world of green jobs. Some have left school early, others are helping their families at home, and many have never heard of solar energy or climate action. Our solution gives them a chance to explore that world in a way that feels close to home. Through Yokha, our AI-powered mentor, they can learn in their own language, on a simple mobile device, and at their own pace. Then they get to do—not just watch or read—by building small solar kits, playing climate-themed games, and experimenting with tools that connect learning to their everyday lives. We’re not just teaching them facts—we’re showing them that they have a place in the future of clean energy. That their ideas, their hands, and their voices matter. For many, it’s the first step toward confidence, opportunity, and the possibility of building something better—for themselves and their communities.