Youth Engagement in Green Education

How can education mobilize youth for environmental action?

About the Project

This initiative aimed to simplify and clarify the concept of the circular economy, focusing on plastic waste, by breaking it down into three actionable stages: awareness, waste reduction, and eco-design. To achieve this, we collaborated with partner universities to design tailored challenges that aligned with their academic programs and areas of expertise. These challenges were carefully crafted to inspire students to connect with pressing environmental issues and to spark innovative solutions addressing the full lifecycle of plastic within a circular economy framework.

The Process

By fostering strategic partnerships with universities, we worked closely with faculty and students to embed these challenges into their curricula. Each challenge was designed to be engaging and impactful, incorporating a mix of formats, structured programming and motivating rewards. This approach empowered students to address real-world issues through creative and practical solutions. From producing documentaries and launching awareness campaigns to developing alternative packaging solutions and mobile applications, participants explored various facets of the circular economy with creativity and innovation.

The Impact

Over 400 students presented their solutions, in the form of pitch presentations to faculty, partners and industry experts, which not only deepened their understanding of circular economy principles but also reinforced their entrepreneurial spirit and showcased their ability to drive meaningful change. The outputs ranged from compelling visual storytelling to technological innovations, reinforcing the power of education in mobilizing the next generation as agents of change. By embedding sustainability into the learning process, this project helped cultivate a mindset of responsibility and creativity, ensuring long-term engagement with environmental responsibility.