Kerala's EcoSense Student Green Brigade Scholarship program has engaged 45,880 students in practical waste management activities as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission Urban 2.0 initiative. Implemented by the Local Self Government Department in collaboration with the General Education Department, the program provides ₹1,500 scholarships to students who actively participate in waste management practices, along with certificates of recognition.
The scholarship allocation follows a structured approach: 50 students from each Grama Panchayat, 75 from each Municipality, and 100 from each Corporation. This year's program included students from Classes 6 and 7 (Upper Primary), Classes 8 and 9 (High School), and first-year students of Higher Secondary and Vocational Higher Secondary categories.
The initiative reached nearly 500,000 students from approximately 9,000 schools across 986 Local Self Government Institutions, making it one of Kerala's largest student-focused waste management programs. Students gained hands-on experience through various activities including setting up source-level waste segregation bins, developing composting systems, establishing repair shops, promoting organic farming, conducting household visits, organizing swap shops, and creating cleanliness clubs.
A key component involved educational visits to Material Collection Facilities (MCFs) and Resource Recovery Facilities (RRFs) to help students understand post-collection waste processing. The program also included Green Assemblies (Haritha Sabhas) throughout November, providing platforms for students to discuss environmental issues and share solutions. The initiative focuses on practical implementation of waste reduction, adherence to Green Protocol, and principles of Green School and Clean School initiatives, transforming students into active ambassadors of sustainable waste management practices in their communities.