"Youth Challenge 3.0” Winners Celebrated at COP27

On Thursday, Generation Unlimited, UNICEF, UNDP, USAID, Plan International and Scouts organized a dynamic session, entitled “imaGen Ventures: Celebrating Young green changemakers addressing environmental challenges”.

The dynamic session that took place in Sharm El Sheikh on the sidelines of COP27, showcased how young green entrepreneurs are the driving factor in climate action by celebrating the winners of "Youth Challenge 3.0” which is a global initiative that supports young people to realize their full potential as they tackle the world’s most pressing issues. 

This year, 1200 teams participated by sharing their climate change solutions and compete for seed funding and coaching by world-renowned climate experts.

 "We are pleased that the teams that have been qualified to compete globally are also the outcome of a fruitful collaboration between all partners, including the UNICEF and Enactus Egypt partnership," said a statement issued by UNICEF on Friday.

In Egypt, “Youth Challenge 3.0” was implemented by UNICEF, USAID, the Office of International Cooperation of the Swiss Embassy, UNDP, the Egyptian Scouts, Plan International and the British Council and supported by the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Education and Technical Education, and the Ministry of Environment.

One of the awarded climate change solutions, has been developed Tanta University team who presented the ‘Soigel’ business idea which produces organic fertilizers and aqua gel from recycled sugarcane waste in Egypt.

 The total number of the winning teams is 12 from Egypt, Kenya, Armenia, Pakistan, Lebanon, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Syria, Jordan and Brazil.

Speakers included Per Heggenes, Kevin Frey, GenU CEO, youth leaders representing partners, and was moderated by Vicky Aridi, Generation Unlimited’s Young People’s Action Team Member.

The session was attended by Mr. Jeremy Hopkins UNICEF representative in Egypt, UNICEF’s COP27 Head of Delegation and Shabab Balad Ambassadors actor Nour El Nabawy as well as gymnast Hanna Marzouk.