In 2024, the Recoupling Awards were reimagined to specifically platform projects that focused on business, social & climate action, as well as civic engagement-focused work. From nearly 700 applications, 52 young global changemakers were selected to join the Young Global Changers community and have the opportunity to attend and compete on stage for the 2024 YGC Recoupling Awards.
Congratulations to the winners in the three categories: Reimagine Business, TransEnd Crafts, Lamea Tanjin Tanha (represented by Samia Tanjin Minha); Reimagine Social & Climate Action, StandWeSpeak, Priyal Agrawal; and Reimagine Civic Engagement, Urban Youth Councils, SM Shaikat. These standout projects wowed the judges with their incredible impact and creativity. Each winner will receive €2,500 to take their projects to the next level and get specialized guidance from top-notch experts. A huge congratulations to the winners and all the fantastic finalists!
Learn more about the projects and initiatives that are at the forefront of recoupling efforts below.
2024 YGC Projects
Business and commercial activities are pivotal for economic growth, driving innovation, generating employment, and fostering societal progress. Successful enterprises stimulate other sectors, enhance economic stability, and contribute to public infrastructure through tax revenues. They can also promote social mobility by lifting communities out of poverty and reducing inequality. However, many business practices lead to excessive waste, resource depletion, climate degradation, and poor working conditions, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift. Companies can align with social and environmental prosperity by adopting sustainable practices, such as circular economy principles, renewable energy, and fair labor practices. These businesses actively and uniquely align their business activities with social and environmental prosperity.
Bangladesh | TransEnd Crafts is the first-ever eCommerce platform in Bangladesh aiming to bridge the gap between the marginalized LGBTQIA+ artisans and the mainstream retailing/e-commerce field, including…
YGC ProjectPeru | Wayru is dedicated to combating water inequity, empowering vulnerable and underserved communities that lack access to safe water and are impacted by the climate crisis. We deliver this by…
YGC ProjectKenya | Nyansapo AI provides parents, teachers, school managers, and NGOs with Artificial Intelligence and machine learning powered training, resources, and tools to teach literacy and numeracy…
YGC ProjectKenya | Eco Nasi is an innovative material science company that manufactures sustainable textiles exclusively from post-harvest pineapple waste. Eco Nasi creates sustainable textiles that integrate…
YGC ProjectUSA/China | Mi Terro is a venture-backed advanced material company that engineers low-value biomass waste into high-value hydrophilic and hydrophobic biomaterials to end microplastics and hunger at a…
YGC Project
Many individuals and disadvantaged groups worldwide face significant challenges in accessing basic services such as healthcare, food, housing, and education. Concurrently, environmental crises like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are accelerating, threatening our natural environment and exacerbating social imbalances. People-first projects uniquely and directly support societies impacted by systemic inequities or climate degradation, addressing these intertwined issues. By focusing on providing essential services and mitigating environmental impacts, these initiatives help create more resilient and equitable communities, promoting both social well-being and environmental sustainability. These people-first approached projects actively and uniquely directly support societies impacted by systemic inequities or climate degradation.
Tanzania | The Nitibu (Healing) Points (TNP) are innovative digital health hubs designed for vulnerable, underserved populations in indigenous communities. Operating in areas with limited healthcare…
YGC Project
Philippines | The Forest Guards Film project addresses the urgent need for ecological protection and safeguarding the well-being of our forest guards in the Philippines, a country tagged as the…
YGC ProjectNigeria | Peddle Innovation Labs is a mobile and digital classroom innovatively designed to fit in a box and accommodate a minimum of 50 mini-computers that are powered by solar Energy with…
YGC ProjectVenezuela | LivingWaters Systems is a social enterprise that assists frontline aid organizations serving refugees and off-grid settlements with renewable clean water. They do so by providing a more…
YGC ProjectIndia | StandWeSpeak, an award-winning, SexTech venture, is building “A 21st century sexual health ecosystem for Millennials and GenZ.” By leveraging AI technology, the project is developing Mae –…
YGC ProjectAround the world, citizens’ trust in government, administration, and public institutions is declining, while populism and nationalism are on the rise. Concurrently, there is a lack of transparency and accountability among decision-makers and insufficient opportunities for citizens and civil society to actively participate in important decisions affecting their lives. The following selected projects directly support shifting power towards citizens, enabling them to engage in the civic space and participate in decision-making that impacts their communities.
Bangladesh | The Urban Youth Council is building a model of civic empowerment by actively engaging young people in local decision-making, especially with city authorities. Rooted in democratic…
YGC ProjectCameroon | Xhuma Africa is a youth-led not for profit association of young people who have experienced first-hand the damaging consequences of armed violence in Cameroon and decided to act and…
YGC ProjectMorocco | Etmaa’en is addressing corruption and the misconduct within governmental bodies and institutions by providing a secure, anonymous, intelligent, and user-friendly digital reporting…
YGC ProjectBrazil | The National Network of Civic Education is committed to strengthening democracy in Brazil by enhancing the civic education ecosystem. Among its key initiatives is the National Civic…
YGC ProjectMeet the Semi-finalists of the 2024 Cohort
Business and commercial activities are pivotal for economic growth, driving innovation, generating employment, and fostering societal progress. Successful enterprises stimulate other sectors, enhance economic stability, and contribute to public infrastructure through tax revenues. They can also promote social mobility by lifting communities out of poverty and reducing inequality. However, many business practices lead to excessive waste, resource depletion, climate degradation, and poor working conditions, highlighting the need for a paradigm shift. Companies can align with social and environmental prosperity by adopting sustainable practices, such as circular economy principles, renewable energy, and fair labor practices. These businesses actively and uniquely align their business activities with social and environmental prosperity.
Many individuals and disadvantaged groups worldwide face significant challenges in accessing basic services such as healthcare, food, housing, and education. Concurrently, environmental crises like climate change, pollution, and biodiversity loss are accelerating, threatening our natural environment and exacerbating social imbalances. People-first projects uniquely and directly support societies impacted by systemic inequities or climate degradation, addressing these intertwined issues. By focusing on providing essential services and mitigating environmental impacts, these initiatives help create more resilient and equitable communities, promoting both social well-being and environmental sustainability. These people-first approached projects actively and uniquely directly support societies impacted by systemic inequities or climate degradation.
Around the world, citizens’ trust in government, administration, and public institutions is declining, while populism and nationalism are on the rise. Concurrently, there is a lack of transparency and accountability among decision-makers and insufficient opportunities for citizens and civil society to actively participate in important decisions affecting their lives. The following selected projects directly support shifting power towards citizens, enabling them to engage in the civic space and participate in decision-making that impacts their communities.
Honorable Mentions of the 2024 Cohort
