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“This experience as a Climate Champion has been a gamechanger for me,” says Wissam Al-Ahmadieh, who has been engaged with DOT Lebanon since 2023. “This work has lit a fire under me and now my passion inspires others to take action.”

 For 23-year-old Wissam, collaboration with like-minded young people is the key to his success: “Together we can build rock solid partnerships and achieve epic environmental progress,” says Wissam who graduated in 2022 from the Lebanese University with a degree in computer engineering. 

Since then, Wissam has taken part in various DOT training programs, including the Climate program, which has enabled him to communicate climate science much more effectively and “boosted his motivation” to take climate action. “The climate curriculum learning experience during the first phase, that intensive first month, was truly inspiring,” he recalls. “In the workshops, they taught me how to confidently explain statistics and present complex science in an engaging way that resonates with young audiences,” he explains. Modules outlining future projections and explaining how greenhouse gasses impact global temperatures particularly helped solidify his comprehension of these environmental issues. 

“Having a stronger foundation in climate science and data analysis allows me to speak with authority on the facts. The program gave me the chance to hone my public speaking skills and instilled a strong sense of purpose in me. That’s a testament to the program’s effectiveness in motivating participants and fostering a commitment to take action.”

DOT’s Climate program uses a Participatory Action Research (PAR) toolkit for community engagement, a research approach that involves collaboration between researchers and the individuals or communities being studied. It emphasizes active participation, engagement and empowerment of the participants throughout the research process. Wissam saw firsthand how these PAR principles enable young people to address climate change in ways that are specifically tailored to their own communities.

As a result of his DOT training, Wissam has developed his project management abilities and now works closely with environmental charity partner Green Orient to train other youth activists to develop their own community projects. “We have unearthed a treasure trove of innovative ideas and witnessed the incredible passion of younger people eager to make a positive impact,” he says.

In Baakleen, in the Chouf district of Lebanon, he has worked with locals to establish dedicated infrastructure for collecting and sorting plastic waste while also raising public awareness of the dangers of plastic to wildlife, human health and the wider environment. He’s also contributing to a reforestation project called Tree For Life that will revitalize barren land in the mountainous area of Ard Maskifa – here, local people will help plant thousands of pine trees to improve soil health and enhance biodiversity.

“This community engagement work with DOT results in a real sense of agency and collaboration among this network of young people and we could all go on to become active changemakers in our own communities,” says Wissam who has developed supportive friendships with his peers. “This isn’t just about education – this program has fostered genuine connections and together with the other climate champions, we are creating a close-knit community. We support each other, share ideas, and celebrate successes.”

Now, he feels empowered to drive community change and inspire other young climate activists to become “powerful environmental stewards”. “This project has all the ingredients we need for unstoppable environmental activism and impactful solutions,” explains Wissam, who has a firm belief in the power of local solutions to tackle global environmental challenges.

At home in the rural area of Charoun, Lebanon, Wissam’s friends and family are curious about his work and impressed by his efforts – this sparks lively discussions, helps bring greater awareness to climate issues and helps build his confidence to speak up further. “When my grandparents mentioned they have noticed the weather changing this winter, I can explain to them that by 2050, rain in Lebanon will decrease by 5% and snow will decrease by up to 70%, based on UNDP reports.”

He loves nothing more than working with an individual community to really understand the issues, inject fresh ideas and implement practical changes that will work well for the people living in that scenario on a daily basis. “Success is about keeping the climate movement relevant and adaptable. It’s not about my point of view, it’s about helping people to find their own problems and solutions that they truly care about,” says Wissam, who has faith that small changes really do make a difference.

Social innovation through online platforms such as Instagram play a vital role in spreading awareness about these environmental initiatives and enabling activists to explore other possible solutions, seek expert advice or source the best scientific research. “People can click on QR codes on our social media posts to find out more about how they can get involved or come along to our training sessions – we also listen to everyone’s feedback,” he says.

DOT’s Climate program isn’t just about technical skills. For Wissam, the best lesson was empowerment and in February 2024, his application to join Unicef as a youth climate advocate was accepted. “DOT’s in-depth climate curriculum equipped me with the knowledge to confidently apply, and the focus on youth engagement resonated deeply. Without DOT, I wouldn’t have considered going for it.”

With a focus on bringing the latest climate science and most replicable solutions to the most vulnerable communities, he feels he can speak more passionately about what’s at stake. “The climate curriculum is a great starting point but there’s still a lot more to learn, for all of us. And the most important thing is to take action, small steps, that will make a real difference to us here in Lebanon.

Having grown up in the mountains, he always loved being outdoors and appreciated the beauty of nature, but Wissam acknowledges that DOT has deepened that connection. “Now I understand the “why” behind what I see. When I witness smoke in the distance or unusual cloud formations, my mind instantly connects those observations to climate change. The knowledge I have gained from DOT allows me to interpret these signs and recognise how human actions might be impacting the natural world around me. It’s like having a whole new lens on nature, one that fuels my passion to take action and protect our planet.”