India Cooling Programme

Extreme heat is one of the most immediate and visible impacts of climate change, affecting health, livelihoods, productivity, and urban systems. While policy and infrastructure responses are evolving, many efforts are already being led by communities, innovators, and frontline actors. #CoolMitra is a storytelling and solutions platform that brings these efforts to the forefront. It highlights real people and real work happening on the ground in India to reduce heat risks, strengthen resilience, and support communities, shifting the narrative from awareness to action. The initiative is designed as the foundation of a long-term platform to identify, amplify, and scale grassroots action on extreme heat and sustainable cooling.

These are individuals and organizations working at the frontlines of extreme heat and cooling challenges in India. This includes:

• Community leaders and grassroots mobilisers
• Practitioners and implementers working on heat resilience
• NGOs, civil society organisations, and community groups
• Frontline practitioners driving large-scale programmes or advocacy
• Youth leaders driving local action

They represent diverse geographies and approaches, including on-the-ground implementation, advocacy, awareness-building, and programme delivery.

We are seeking initiatives that demonstrate:

• Clear relevance to extreme heat and cooling
• Tangible impact on communities or systems
• Potential for replication or scale
• Strong community engagement
• Innovative or practical approaches

1. Open Call for Nominations

Individuals and organisations can submit entries through a simple online form.

2. Selection Process

Submissions are reviewed through a streamlined, single-stage process based on relevance, impact, and diversity.

3. Story Development

Selected entries will be featured through curated stories, interviews, and visual content integrated into the campaign.

4. World Environment Day Showcase

On June 5, 2026, selected stories will be showcased on our digital platforms.

5. Beyond WED

The initiative will continue beyond World Environment Day, evolving into a network with ongoing visibility, engagement, and collaboration opportunities.

Visibility and Recognition

• Featured in a global campaign 50 Cities at 50°C 

Opportunities for Growth

• Connections with governments, development agencies, and partners
• Potential inclusion in scale-up and collaboration initiatives 

Ongoing Engagement
 

• Participation in events, knowledge products, and future campaigns
• Contribution to a growing ecosystem on cooling and climate action

#CoolMitra is built on a simple premise: meaningful action is already happening. Communities, practitioners, and organisations are responding to extreme heat through a range of approaches including implementation, advocacy, awareness, and programme delivery. 

By documenting and amplifying these efforts, the platform aims to: 

• Highlight diverse forms of action
• Enable knowledge sharing
• Strengthen connections between local action and global platforms

May 2026: Call for nominations and outreach (Last day to submit entries 27 May)

Late May 2026: Shortlisting and story development

Early June 2026: Campaign rollout

June 5, 2026: World Environment Day showcase

Post-June 2026: Continued storytelling and network building

Be part of a global effort to spotlight real solutions to extreme heat.

Submit your nomination here: https://forms.gle/2Pr8HATX7jC8GvY1A

#CoolMitra will evolve into a sustained platform featuring:

• A global network of practitioners and innovators
• A growing repository of solutions and stories
• Integration with cooling and climate programmes
• Annual cohorts and expanded partnerships