Team Storm Troopers and Naivedya won the Ventures Youth Challenge Bangladesh round
The youth created 24 prototypes for sustainable development and social change
Team Storm Troopers has won the GenU Imagine Ventures Youth Challenge with a vertical farming solution to combat soil salinity and increase crop yields. Team Naivedya, on the other hand became runner-up, presenting a project to convert tea waste generated from tea stalls and small restaurants into affordable fertilizer. These two winning teams will represent Bangladesh in this year's Global GenU Imagine Ventures Youth Challenge. There they will compete and the winners will receive holistic support including funding to implement their innovative solutions.
Jaago Foundation Trust and UNICEF's Generation Unlimited Program jointly organized a competition for young entrepreneurs and social innovators to present projects on the impact of climate change and gender discrimination in Bangladesh - Imagen Ventures Youth Challenge Community Solutions Pitch Day 2023-2024 at Aloki Convention Center in the capital on Saturday.
The teams participating in the event solved various important problems through their innovative projects. Several participating teams emphasized environmental sustainability, renewable energy and innovative agricultural solutions. These projects highlight the diverse and impactful approaches youth innovators have taken to address their communities' toughest challenges.
The 24 teams participating in the event presented their projects to a panel of 12 judges comprising of Ecosystem Builders, Social Impact Investors and Founders. The judges evaluated the projects based on their potential social impact, feasibility, organizational model and compatibility with the Sustainable Development Goals and selected the top two teams.
The representative of UNICEF Bangladesh Mr. Sheldon Yate said the youth are the change makers who are building a greener and more sustainable Bangladesh. Their new vision is already catalyzing positive change in their communities and beyond. I am thrilled to see so many innovative ideas presented today and I look forward to their successful implementation to ensure a prosperous future.
On the other hand, Jaago Foundation Trust Chairman Karvi Rakhsand said, “We are extremely proud of the creativity and determination of the young innovators at the GenU Image Ventures Youth Challenge. Their commitment to tackling tough issues like climate change and gender inequality through innovative solutions is truly inspiring. All of us at Jaago Foundation Trust believe in the power of youth to bring about sustainable change and this event reinforces that belief”.
Over the past six months, 24 teams made up of over 100 young people between the ages of 15 and 24 built initial prototypes of their projects under the guidance of local mentors. The event is the culmination of a process that provides a platform for youth innovators to present their ideas on sustainable development and social change.
Bangladesh's winning team of 2023, 'BD Highway Turbine', is listed among the top 10 global teams currently benefiting from funding and expert advice. This achievement by the BD Highway Turbine team is an example of the impact of the Imagine Ventures Youth Challenge.
