Convening youth entrepreneurs innovating for global goals
The Global Incubation Workshop brought together imaGen Ventures 2022 global winners to further develop their innovations aimed at achieving the SDGs
AMMAN, Jordan, 15 November 2023 – There was a buzz in the air- a youthful buzz of young minds with big talent getting together to cheer each other on. UNICEF Jordan and Generation Unlimited hosted teams of youth innovators whose winning ideas showed huge potential to transform lives in their communities. These teams emerged as Global winners of the imaGen Ventures competition for green social innovations in 2022 from a talented group of 70 youth teams from 37 countries around the world. Invited to celebrate the spirit of innovation, these winning teams took part of the Global Incubation Workshop – the last round of preparation before the final push of getting their ideas out into the world. A world that needs their ideas.
LEARNING AND INSPIRATION GO BOTH WAYS
While the these teams had the opportunity to receive world-class training through the Global Incubation Workshop’s skill-building courses, mentoring sessions, expert masterclasses and pitch practice, the participants from UNICEF Generation Unlimited no doubt felt inspired by the creativity and collaborative spirit of young minds with ideas to share. Ideas that solved the problems that their peers were facing around the world in their diverse communities.
WHEN YOUTH DRIVE AND INNOVATE FOR CHANGE
Here is a glimpse at some of the exciting innovations by our green social entrepreneur teams;
Meet a youth innovator from Jordan working on his electric bike engineered to run for 10 hours and designed to transport clean water to migrant camps.
Another team from Kenya, which built ‘more than a toilet' was also represented in the workshop. Their sanitation innovation addresses the urgent need for hygienic public washrooms in remote areas. The easy clean cabin made from recycled plastic went an extra mile by generating fertilizer from sewage waste.
And here is a team from Pakistan which uses Artificial Intelligence technologies to create biodegradable plastic packaging for food which addresses the double challenge of food expiration and plastic waste.
Other participants included a team working on preventing sexual violence from Lebanon, a team converting waste plastic to bricks from Uganda, and a team from Zimbabwe bringing lamps powered off the grid to kids in remote areas.
GETTING TOGETHER TO MAXIMISE IMPACT
With the inspiring and enthusiastic youth innovators meeting under one roof, the potential was unlimited. The teams got the chance to interact with each other and share their ideas, their learnings and their enthusiasm.
The peer-to-peer connection, the chance to learn from the best coaches and mentors, and perfect and practice their pitch to industry experts kept participants’ calendars full for the busy workshop week.
As these youth entrepreneurs and change-makers create a community that learns, shares and problem-solve together for a sustainable and equitable future, we wish them more strides on their path ahead and thank them for inspiring all of us!
