About Image

Innovate 4 Climate

Overview

The annual Innovate 4 Climate (I4C) competition aims to challenge teams of Future Sustainability Leaders over three to four months to create innovative solutions for sustainable development, fostering creativity, problem-solving and entrepreneurship under expert mentorship. I4C is an empowering hub for all young innovators to advance their creative solutions.

The Innovate 4 Climate Innovation Challenge aims to empower young people to become climate innovators. Guided by mentors and industry experts, participants will undergo a three-month virtual program that will end with an in-person pitch day, featuring presentations judged by experienced industry experts.

The challenge aims to support young people in developing their design thinking to tackle climate change collaboratively, develop skills and competencies, including entrepreneurship, innovation and leadership skills.

Objectives

About Image

To support participants with the acquisition of six critical skills aligned with career aspirations and personal growth objectives.

About Image

Facilitate networking opportunities for participants to connect with like-minded purpose-driven peers from all over the world, as well as industry experts and stakeholders.

About Image

Empower participants to start their entrepreneurial journey with 60+ hours of hands-on experience.

About Image

Provide access to resources, tools and additional learning opportunities for growth and development.

About Image

Provide access to resources, tools and additional learning opportunities for growth and development.

About Image

Potentially provide an additional three-month acceleration period for winning the project, support and resources for their idea, development and implementation phases.

Testimonials

About Image

Tamara Stojkovic

FSL 2023

“The Innovate 4 Climate challenge was a truly unique experience for me, marking my first steps into entrepreneurship. As the team leader of Terra, a group of young innovators tackling the shortage of EV charging stations in the UAE, I felt we had everything we needed to succeed from the knowledge gained through the Y4S app to numerous sessions with our mentors.

As one of the finalist teams, we had the incredible opportunity to pitch our project at COP28 in the Masdar Pavilion, an experience unlike any other. If you get the chance to participate in Innovate 4 Climate, remember it's not just another task, it's an excellent opportunity to create something impactful for our planet!”

About Image

Ashley Kamau

FSL 2023

“I4C presented us with an intriguing challenge: a single task with a shared deadline, tackled by over five teams composed of individuals with diverse backgrounds and perspectives. In the end, each team came up with a totally unique and innovative solution, all working toward the same goal. Today, I believe that the I4C challenge is the reason behind my broadened perspective—there are multiple approaches to solving a problem.”

About Image

Nicolas Mauricio Cuadrado Avila

FSL 2023

“Participating in the I4C challenge was a transformative experience. Leading a diverse team in their free time to propose and structure a tech-based solution to combat climate change was both challenging and rewarding. The opportunity to pitch our idea at COP28 and win was incredible, allowing us to share our vision with global experts and enthusiasts. I encourage anyone passionate about climate action to engage in this challenge—it’s a unique platform to turn innovative ideas into impactful solutions.”

About Image

Maryam Al Moosawi

FSL 2023

“The I4C challenge was one of the best experiences during Y4S. From forming the groups to the execution at COP28, the I4C challenge has brought out both our leadership and teamwork skills. For me, it has shown me how youth from all over the world have a similar goal: to live to our fullest potential whilst living sustainably. I4C is a great challenge to push young people to be both creative and realistic in providing solutions to tackle climate change.”

Partners