NAIROBI, Kenya- Calling all young creatives: The United Nations, in partnership with the Swarovski Foundation, is offering an exciting opportunity for individuals aged 21 to 30 with innovative ideas that can accelerate sustainable development.
The Creatives for Our Future programme is back, and six lucky applicants will each receive €20,000 (Sh2.8 million) in funding, along with mentorship and networking opportunities to scale their projects.
Entries for the programme are open from September 3, 2024, and will run until October 15, 2024, with winners announced in April 2025 at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.
The Creatives for Our Future programme isn’t just about financial backing. Successful applicants will also gain access to an educational programme, created in collaboration with top global institutions, to help refine their ideas and drive real-world impact.
From fashion to engineering, the initiative encourages young talents to think outside the box and solve pressing sustainability challenges.
Jakhya Rahman Corey, director of the Swarovski Foundation, shared the organisation’s vision: “We are on a mission to promote sustainable livelihoods through education, aiming to reduce inequality.”
The programme has already supported 21 sustainable innovation projects since its launch in 2020, offering young creatives a platform to explore new ideas, receive mentorship, and grow their careers.
“Creativity has the power to solve global challenges,” Corey said, highlighting the programme’s potential to empower youth across different sectors.
Africa has already seen great success through the programme, with two alumni—Joshua Ichor and Stanley Aniogbogu—showcasing what’s possible when creativity meets sustainability.
Joshua developed a hand-pump monitoring system and built a clean water kiosk for rural communities, providing more than 50,000 litres of clean water daily to over 10,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa.
His innovation addressed a critical need in regions that struggle with access to clean water.
Stanley, on the other hand, was inspired by his own childhood challenges. Studying by candlelight led to health issues, prompting him to create an eco-friendly energy solution from electronic waste and plastic bottles.
His solar-powered AVATAR Station, crafted from recycled shipping containers, is now a community hub in Nigeria.
The station not only provides clean energy but also educates students about renewable energy and climate change.
Both Joshua and Stanley’s achievements highlight the real-world impact of creative solutions in tackling sustainable development issues.
These stories illustrate the power of innovation and the potential to bring meaningful change.
Annemarie Hou, executive director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, emphasized the need for young creative talents to address sustainability challenges.
“With mentorship, industry connections, and funding, these young people are turning obstacles into opportunities and driving real progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals,” Hou noted.
As entries for the 2024 Creatives for Our Future programme continue to roll in, there’s a growing anticipation of what this next cohort of young innovators will achieve.
The world needs creative solutions now more than ever, and this initiative provides a solid platform for emerging talents to make their mark.
