Homepage » Core Communities » Young Global Changers » Awards » 2025 YGC Recoupling Awards
Each year, the Global Solutions Initiative recognizes exceptional projects and initiatives led by young individuals (ages 18-35) from around the globe. These initiatives focus on fostering a better alignment—or “recoupling”—of economic prosperity with environmental sustainability and the needs of societies and communities. We seek innovative and original approaches that address overlooked or neglected issues. Projects must adopt a people-centered approach and can include both social enterprises and nonprofit activities. Below, we present 52 outstanding individuals selected as our 2025 Young Global Changers for their initiatives. From this group, 15 candidates will be chosen to showcase their work at the upcoming Global Solutions Summit in Berlin.
Interested in attending the YGC Recoupling Awards? Contact scholarships@global-solutions-initiative.org to learn more on how to attend.
Meet the 2025 Young Global Changers
Get to know the rest of the 2025 Young Global Changers below! As ever, this dynamic cohort is unwaveringly committed to redefining the future. These inspiring individuals are at the forefront of recoupling economic, social, and environmental prosperity, earning well-deserved recognition for their dedication. Join us in celebrating these trailblazers and their impactful endeavors towards positive change on a global scale.
Reimagine Business
Philippines
Lalakbayin Ecoventures
Lalakbayin Ecoventures, founded in Palawan, Philippines, is an ecotourism and environmental consultancy dedicated to empowering coastal communities through marine conservation and biodiversity investment. Lalakbayin balances economic growth with social progress and environmental stewardship. They collaborate with local governments, marine protected areas (MPAs), and international organizations to promote sustainability events, citizen science expeditions, and livelihood opportunities.
Tanzania
SafeSip
SafeSip provides affordable and portable water-filters to combat waterborne diseases and improve access to safe drinking water in rural Tanzania. Each straw features a three-stage filter that removes 99.99% of pathogens, improving health and reducing single-use plastics. Each SafeSip Straw filters up to 4,000 liters of water, reducing healthcare costs linked to waterborne diseases by up to 70%, and lowering the burden on families, who spend around 15% of household income on healthcare and water.
Brazil
EcoCiclo
EcoCiclo was founded by three Black women from Brazilian favelas, brought together by an entrepreneurship program to address the urgent lack of access to menstrual products in underserved communities. EcoCiclo developed 100% biodegradable sanitary pads and created an ecosystem that generates income and opportunities for women while providing sustainable menstrual solutions. In addition to its innovative products, EcoCiclo empowers women through educational initiatives, training them as menstrual health advocates to combat stigma and raise awareness about menstrual health.
Mawejje Creations
Mawejje Creations is an eco-social enterprise aiming to revolutionize the fashion industry. Driven by a commitment to addressing the challenges of fast fashion and climate change their approach involves using plant-based substances (such as banana waste) as well as textile waste to create unique and sustainable fashion products. This helps to reduce waste and creates a unique and eco-friendly fashion statement. Mawejje Creations actively involves local communities in their projects, offering skills training and economic opportunities.
WiseCool
WiseCool is addressing the problem of limited access to healthcare delivery by providing sustainable solar-powered cold storage units that extend the shelf life of essential medicine from a single day to over 365 days. Theri device offers real-time tracking of temperature, humidity, and energy consumption. This ensures that vital healthcare resources are stored safely and effectively. Additionally, WiseCool facilitates remote mdeical consultations without the need for patients to travel long distances.
Mahoro Diane
Founder
DRC
Happy Cheeks
Happy cheeks was born from the founder's personal experience as a refugee mother who was once unable to afford a diaper for their child. Today, Happy cheeks is providing affordable, eco-friendly diapers and economic empowerment in refugee communities. The diapers eliminate disposal worries, decomposing quickly and conveniently while also reducing deforestation and pollution, preserving natural habitats and biodiversity. The project also creates jobs and economic opportunities for female refugees.
Akhona Mtogana
Founder
South Africa
3D-Vision
Driven by the founders own expereince of requiring prescription glasses and the financial challenges they pose, 3D-Vision began with the goal of making quality eye care affordable and accessible for everyone, especially underserved communities. Drawing from the very availble ressource of plastic waste in a township, the project started using recycled plastic to create stylish frames for glasses at a low cost. Thereby helping to work towards the aim of making vision care a right, not a privilege.
Chuliv
Chuliv is the world’s first heat-powered air blower designed to optimize the efficiency of traditional mud stoves used by over two billion people worldwide. With approximately three million deaths each year attributed to indoor air pollution from these stoves, Chuliv significantly reduces the health risks posed by toxic emissions. Our patented thermomechanical device harnesses excess heat from the stove to power a fan, ensuring continuous airflow for more efficient combustion. As a result, it cuts smoke emissions by up to 30%. Priced at just $9, Chuliv stands as the most innovative and affordable clean cooking solution on the market—making cooking safer and more efficient for users.
Mathias Charles
Co Founder
Lebanon
Live Love Recycle
In 2015 Lebanon experienced a serious waste crisis. Due to a failing state and inactive public authorities, the waste piled up in the streets for months. The mission of Live Love Recycle is to make recycling easier by setting up a practical and efficient waste collection system. The project cretaed a service that allows the Beirut community to recycle their waste at any time, according to their convenience, through an application or through the community recycling stores. They also aim at reducing precarious employment.
SOS BioTech
SOS Biotech, based in the Dominican Republic, aims to repurpose invasive seaweed into sustainable products. Through circular economy principles, they convert harvested seaweed (which harms marine ecosystems and local communities) into high-value products like organic fertilizer, bioplastics, and cosmetics. Their project creates jobs, supports local economies, and reduces waste and pollution, ultimately empowering coastal communities and fostering a "blue economy" that drives sustainable progress.
VIOLA
VIOLA offers support via a phone-application to make our communities safer - especially for women. The project is not solely about individual safety, but focuses on community-building to make the streets a social and livable space for everyone. Through educational campaigns and collaborations, VIOLA promotes awareness of public safety and risk prevention. VIOLA uses technology to develop solutions that improve safety, with a constant focus on continuous updates and improvements.
Ukuzola - Solidairty Coliving for Impact Entrepreneurs
Ukuzola is a coliving and coworking initiative dedicated to empowering young social and environmental entrepreneurs in the Global South. To combat the high failure rate of startups due to financial constraints, Ukuzola provides housing, meals, transportation, a monthly stipend, and tailored support. With 60% of spaces reserved for women, it fosters diversity and gender equality, equipping entrepreneurs to address global challenges while aligning their projects with the Sustainable Development Goals.
Abakar Mahamat
Founder & CEO
Chad
Telemedan
Telemedan is an innovative health project launched in 2021 to improve healthcare access in remote and underserved regions of Chad. With only 2,000 doctors for 17 million people, their solar-powered telemedicine kiosks provide affordable healthcare services, including teleconsultations and diagnostics to remote and undersserved communities. Their mission is to ensure healthcare is accessible to all, regardless of geographical or financial barriers, by integrating clean energy and innovative technology.
Esther Kimani
CEO
Kenya
Farmer Lifeline Tech Ltd.
FarmerLifeline is an agri-tech company assisting smallholder farmers across Africa with AI-driven, solar-powered devices that monitor crop health in real-time. The initiative empowers marginalized communities, particularly women who make up 65% of its users, to combat pests and diseases early, reducing yield losses. Their devices are currently in use on over 5,100 farms across Kenya, empowering small-scale farmers to combat poverty, food insecurity, and climate change while producing nutritious foods.
Banoo
Banoo developed Mycrofish, a low-energy oxygen generator designed to increase oxygen in aquaculture ponds. Mycrofish has been adopted by over 1,000 fish and shrimp farmers, improving yields by an impressive 40% while reducing energy consumption and operational costs by 40%. This not only boosts the farmers' income but also significantly lowers the carbon footprint of aquaculture production by 20%. With theri solution Banoo contributes to a more resilient and eco-friendly aquaculture industry.
Reimagine Social & Climate Action
Planet Indonesia
Planet Indonesia empowers communities to lead locally-driven solutions to the climate and biodiversity crises by establishing local governance bodies, securing tenurial rights, and promoting sustainable livelihoods and health. Planet Indonesia centers on listening closely to the communites. From hundreds of hours they learnt that communities had the formula to success. Planet Indonesia demonstrates that investing in Indigenous and local solutions enables both people and nature to thrive.
Code Green Afg
CodeGreenAfg is a youth-led initiative founded by 19-year old Muzhda Akbari to advocate for girls' rights to education in Afghanistan. Inspired by Muzhda’s own experiences as an Afghan refugee, it has directly impacted over 1,500 girls through coding workshops, book distributions, and advocacy campaigns. By empowering girls with skills and championing education access, CodeGreenAfg fosters resilience and hope for a better future in Afghanistan and beyond.
Safiya SpeaksUp
Safiya Speaks Up is an impactful children's book, mentor’s guide, and educational initiative aimed at addressing sexual violence and raising trauma awareness for young girls. Available in four languages, this project uses storytelling to foster resilience, early intervention, and community support. It follows the story of a young girl named Safiya as she learns about good and bad touches. With a mission to empower through education, Safiya Speaks Up values inclusivity and mental well-being when it comes to child safety.
Bees and Trees
Bees and Trees motivates smallholder farmers in Uganda to restore degraded land through incentives. They gift beehives and coffee seedlings to farmers. This motivates the farmers to plant coffee shade trees and bee forage species, integrating trees into their farms. The trees contribute to land and habitat restoration, mitigate climate change and prevent landslides. At the same time honey and coffee sales provide additional income to the farmers while the bees enhance food production and biodiversity through pollination. The social enterprise also purchases coffee grown under agroforestry at premium prices, further motivating farmers to integrate and preserve trees on their farms.
DRIP
Hydro Innovative Solutions delivers safe and accessible drinking water to underserved communities through "Drip", a solar-powered UF and UV filtration system. This eco-friendly solution improves health, empowers women and children, and drives social and economic upliftment while addressing SDG 6. By reducing waterborne diseases and promoting sustainability, Drip fosters community resilience and affordability, measured by health metrics, school attendance, and enhanced water access.
A Sustainable Future
A Sustainable Future (ASF) is a global initiative led by 18-year-old Carolyn that empowers students to reduce academic printing while fostering eco-activism. Through its Paper Consumption Model and hands-on Paper Consumption Program, ASF equips schools with data-driven tools and curricula to cut print usage, reduce costs, and spark environmental leadership. ASF recouples print systems with digital literacy, achieving a substantial print cost reduction.
Madat Community
Madat Community is a female- and indigenous-led collective addressing climate resilience and social equity in Pakistan's marginalized communities. Born from the 2022 megafloods, it delivers localized solutions through mutual aid, accessible healthcare, climate-adapted housing, and education. Madat has supported 31,000+ people, built 350+ zero-carbon homes, and empowered youth with tech and climate knowledge, fostering resilience and independence from foreign aid.
We Are Special
The Special Physically Challenged Care Foundation (“We Are Special”) aims at enhancing the inclusion of people with disabilities in communities and surroundings where support is lacking. Their projects directly address social equity, environmental sustainability, and climate resilience. By involving participants from underserved communities, the project supports social inclusion and offers vocational training that can lead to economic opportunity.
Carol Thais Carnicelli
Coordinator/Trainer
Guatemala
Haciendo Eco
Haciendo ECO educates Guatemalans on sustainable waste management, composting, and reducing non-recyclables. It tackles pollution in rural indigenous communities by organizing cleanups, leading reforestation, and creating recycling hubs in schools. Providing menstrual prodcuts - promotes health and reduces waste, protecting river ecosystems and fostering environmental responsibility.
TeamUpcyclers
TeamUpcyclers is a social enterprise dedicated to ending period poverty and tackling textile waste. They provide eco-friendly reusable sanitary pads to marginalized communities, particularly women in IDP camps. Their mission is rooted in economic empowerment, social equity, and environmental stewardship. By training women and youths in waste-to-wealth skills and making reusable pads from textiles, they reduce dependence on high-cost plastic-based pads, contribute to a circular economy and offer financial freedom.
The Climate Stories Initiative
The Climate Stories Initiative is a platform for climate education, awareness, and civic empowerment. It started as a map-based crowdsourcing project for documenting climate impacts in Berlin-Brandenburg. The initiative has given a voice to communities on the frontlines of climate change, empowering up users to share their personal observations of climate effects. The project is currently expanding into a hub for sparking sustainable action by fostering emotional connections to climate change through digital solutions.
CLiC Forum
Careleavers Inner Circle Forum (CLiC) is a social initiative working to support young people transitioning from institutional care to society. CLiC provides services like obtaining identity documentation support, safe housing, financial assistance, education, career guidance, emotional support, counseling, and skills training. CLiC's values are centered on dignity, inclusivity, and resilience, to build a future where every person who is transitioning out of orphanages or similar care insitutions has the opportunity to thrive.
Aymane Adiho Gdamabassi
Project Manager
Togo
Rôbalôtô
Rôbalôtô is a pioneering initiative with the mission to transform plastic waste management in Africa through innovative digital and educational solutions. The project began in response to the widespread issue of poor plastic waste management. Rôbalôtô empowers schools and communities by providing smart waste bins equipped with sensors and an application to optimize plastic waste collection and recycling. Beyond efficient waste management, Rôbalôtô takes sustainability further by transforming collected plastic waste into solar-powered bags. The initiative also offers an educational platform that connects plastic waste producers with recycling businesses..
Street to School Initiative
Providing education through technology in underserved communities remains a challenge. Barriers include: unreliable power supply, limited internet access, widespread illiteracy, and limited devices. Street To School Initiative offers a solution by blending face-to-face with e-learning opportunities. This led to the establishment of free schools in Nigeria's largest rural communities, reaching even the most marginalized children. The mission is to raise value-adding leaders and global changemakers by offering quality primary and secondary education at no cost.
AILEM
AILEM is a registered NGO based in Brussels, providing language education made by and for refugees and asylum seekers. AILEM has cretaed an award-winning learning-app that aims to provide language education for refugees and asylum seekers to help them integrate in a foreign country. The app is completely free and the content is tailored specifically for refugees and asylum seekers. (AILEM was shortlisted as a YGC project before in 2023. The re-admission is in recognition of their impressive advancement and new initiatives.)
Reimagine Civic Engagement
Run For It
Run For It is a youth-led movement empowering young people to engage in democracy as voters, volunteers, and candidates. By offering resources, training, and inspiration, the initiative addresses the systemic barriers that exclude youth from political processes. Non-partisan and value-driven, it champions social justice, climate action, and economic equity, fostering a new generation of leaders to shape a fairer, more inclusive political future.
Fund4Participation
Fund4Participation (F4P) empowers youth, women, and civil society groups to actively engage in international policymaking processes. By providing guidance on securing funding and building advocacy skills, F4P fosters inclusive dialogue and elevates marginalized voices. Rooted in social justice and environmental sustainability, F4P contributes to a transparent global policy landscape, aligning with the UN SDGs and promoting equitable representation for all communities.
Abiola Durodola
Executive Director
Nigeria
Promise Tracker
Promise Tracker enhances civic engagement by empowering Nigerian citizens to hold their elected officials accountable through technology-driven transparency. By promoting transparency and inclusivity, Promise Tracker seeks to strengthen democracy and empower citizens to actively participate in the political process. The project has engaged over 3,000 young people, fostering informed advocacy, active participation, and stronger democratic accountability.
Carbonitor
Carbonitor is an open-source citizen monitoring system aimed at preventing corruption in carbon offset projects across Indonesia and ASEAN countries. By empowering citizens—students, researchers, journalists, and residents—to flag irregularities and rights violations, Carbonitor fosters transparency and accountability. Through localized data aggregation, training, and open-source information, it aims to enhance oversight in climate finance.
Thaís Zschieschang
Founder
Brazil
Delibera Brasil
Delibera conducts Citizens’ Assemblies to revitalize citizen participation. The deliberative process enhances citizen agency, enabling them to actively engage in formulating proposals and recommendations. By randomly selecting participants, the project ensures diverse perspectives are included, allowing citizens to co-create public policies. The approach helps to amplify the voices of ordinary citizens, especially those historically marginalized. So far Delibera has conducted 17 Citizens' Assemblies in Brazil. More than 5,000 individuals participated in the activities.
Maria Fernanda
Founder
Colombia
Mi Voz Mi Región
Mi Voz, Mi Región ("My voice - My Region") empowers marginalized communities in Colombia—indigenous peoples, Afro-Colombians, LGBTQ+ individuals, conflict victims, and rural populations—by providing a platform to share region-specific experiences. Promoting inclusion, transparency, and crisis navigation, the platform fosters civic engagement and accountability. By amplifying voices, it drives social equity, economic empowerment, and environmental sustainability.
Humans for Good
Humans For Good (HFG) is a community for purpose-driven people who want to turn their good intentions into impact. The platform helps changemakers to make a difference by connecting them with conversations, opportunities and humans that help them in their endevaour. HFG is focusing on creating conversation and connection around social and environmental issues, and inspiring people to action in practical and financially sustainable ways. HFG connects 800+ members, fosters dialogue, and drives tangible change.
Thiago Nascimento
CEO
Brazil
Instituto Decodifica
Instituto Decodifica is a social innovation lab dedicated to amplifying the voices of Brazil’s favelas through citizen-generated data. By equipping marginalized communities with tools to collect and analyze their realities, Decodifica ensures that the needs of underserved areas inform policy. Guided by values of equity, transparency, and community-led innovation, Decodifica is committed to economic inclusion, social justice, and climate resilience, working to transform favelas into active agents of sustainable change.
Centre for Voters Initiative & Action
The Centre for Voters Initiative & Action is a student-led global nonprofit dedicated to educating, engaging, and empowering youth for inclusive civic participation. By advocating for and implementing federal laws in collaboration with seven national governments, the Centre enhances youth representation worldwide. Through civics education, grassroots programs, and international mandates, it empowers marginalized groups, particularly young girls, to take collective action.
The Footpath School
The Footpath School was founded by Mohammed at age 14. The founding was inspired by his experience witnessing a religious riot in his locality. The Footpath School empowers underprivileged children with holistic education rooted in equality, justice, and tolerance. Addressing cycles of poverty and marginalization, it provides life skills, and support for abuse survivors. Despite being challenged by the local authorities, the school’s impact is evident, with students rallying in its defense. The initiative fosters informed, inclusive future leaders committed to social change.
Movidade
Movidade was founded in 2016. The initiative empowers vulnerable Brazilian youth to achieve financial independence and social inclusion through workforce integration, financial literacy, and professional development. The initiative provides tools for autonomy, promotes gender and racial equality, and fosters political engagement. Through their activities Movidade empowers individuals to seek their rights as citizens and human beings.
James Okewu
National Coordinator
Nigeria
Artvocacy
ARTvocacy’s "Civic Canvas Project" aims to create murals (large wall paintings) in Nigerian communities to address civic education gaps and promote democratic engagement. ARTvocacy was born from the 2020 youth-led protests in Nigeria, which highlighted police brutality. ARTvocacy uses art as a tool for activism, amplifying youth voices to influence change. The murals which will be co-created with local leaders will serve as messages that encourage participation in civic activities and promote democratic engagement.
Youth Lead
Youth Lead, launched in 2019, empowers marginalized Nigerian youth to address civic repression, disengagement, and lack of accountability. As the first youth-driven incubator for social enterprises, it equips young leaders with skills, networks, and funding to create community-based solutions. By integrating technology and civic education, Youth Lead promotes transparency, economic equity, and social inclusion, driving increased public participation, grassroots advocacy, and policy accountability.
On My Way!
On My Way is an SDG-based real-time grantmaking and immediate action tool designed to facilitate civic engagement by empowering individuals to take impactful actions. Launched to address gaps in funding it empowers individuals to take immediate action aligned with the SDGs. The platform boosts transparency and accountability by tracking the progress of funded actions and offering public impact reports. On My Way creates accessible pathways for civic participation, fostering a more active, empowered, and sustainable global community.
Allan Okoth
Technical Lead
Ecuador
Civic Voices
Civic Voices redefines civic engagement through a digital platform that empowers citizens to shape policies and advocate for their communities. By enabling users to review, comment on, and vote on proposed legislation, the platform fosters active participation and inclusivity, amplifying marginalized voices. With a focus on transparency and accountability, Civic Voices connects citizens with policymakers, ensuring informed governance and empowering communities to influence their futures.
Honorable Mention Projects
The following selected projects are honored for their commitment towards recoupling. These projects take unique approaches across categories in achieving an aligned economic, social, and envirionmental future.
Johana Bahamón
Founder & CEO
Colombia
Second Chances for Convicts and Former Prisoners
Fundacion Accion Interna creates opportunities for former prison inmates by connecting them to life-sustaining employment or strengthening their existing enterprises. The initiative trains beneficiaries to secure and retain jobs, partnering primarily with companies in the industrial and gastronomy sector. They also promote entrepreneurship through their textile workshop, a tattoo studio, and an advertising agency. In addition, the initiative offers psychosocial and legal support. By providing stable employment and entrepreneurial opportunities, they have successfully reduced recidivism by 90% among participants.
Sun’s Girls Organization
Sun’s Girls Organization founded to empower women in Afghanistan through non-formal online and underground education. Established in response to the severe restrictions imposed on female education in Afghanistan, their mission is to create accessible learning opportunities that foster both personal growth and professional skills among Afghan girls. Sun’s Girls commitment extends to economic sustainability through skill development, social equity by advocating for women's rights, and environmental responsibility.
Ka Chun Yau
Co Founder
Hong Kong
Lighten Dementia
Lighten Dementia is a social venture that creates cognitive gaming experience for the elderly with dementia. They offer fun, interactive, and localized cognitive training games for individual dementia patients, empowering caregivers and promoting an elderly-friendly society. Lighten Dementia also offers gaming workshops and service-learning programs for students to raise their understanding of dementia issues and promote intergenerational dialogue.
Lia Ivolhina
Community Head
Ukraine
Handstree
The full-scale invasion in Ukraine led to an increase in mistrust and to hesitation to fund by major sponsors of charities and nonprofits bringing relief to Ukrainians. Handstree aims to address this issue by platforming and supporting an online community that provides information and builds trust: it is an all-in-one solution for nonprofits that focuses on empowering transparency and on creating long-term relationships with foreign donors.
Democracy in Action: Empowering a Generation with Politize!
Politize! was founded in 2015 to tackle one of the Brazil’s greatest challenges: the lack of civic readiness and interest in democracy. The aim is to keep the public informed about politics impartially, using digital and in-person training sessions to reach as many people as possible in both urban and rural areas. In addition, Politize! aims to foster civic engagement by advocating for young Brazilians’ right to citizenship education in collaboration with public schools, through the training of teachers and youth leaders as well as supporting local governments in creating curricula and elective disciplines.
The Trespass Project
The Trespass Project, founded by 17 yr old Cayden Brown, is a US-based nonprofit justice network that is leveraging technology to help young people understand their nations’ legal systems. The project is empowering minority youth by equipping them with legal literacy. The project’s focus on accessibility and technology-driven education ensures that even the most marginalized communities are included in these critical conversations. They are aiming to create a global movement that empowers youth to transform the (legal) systems that govern their lives.
Food for Life
The Food for Life project, in partnership with the World Food Programme and CO “100% LIFE” aims to provide food kits to vulnerable population groups in Ukraine and specialized institutions that provide medical and psychosocial assistance. Regular supply of food products allows the direction of saved resources to the purchase of other products, which increases the quality of the beneficiaries’ diet. More than two million beneficiaries were reached in 2023 including people living with HIV, tuberculosis, women affected by violence, internally displaced persons, and other vulnerable populations. The Food for Life project demonstrates how an NGO can effectively respond to humanitarian challenges, particularly in the area of food security.