Chancelle is the Founder and Executive Director of Hope for a Better Future, a youth-led organisation dedicated to empowering vulnerable children through education equity initiatives. Particular focus is placed on reaching girls and young people living in rural areas, Indigenous communities, or those affected by displacement.

The organisation achieves this by providing school supplies, meals, and menstrual hygiene products across Burundi, as well as rebuilding schools that are in poor condition. In the communities where Hope for a Better Future works, many schools lack basic amenities, forcing students to sit on the ground during lessons. Some classrooms have no windows and suffer from deteriorating roofs, creating significant safety risks. The organisation restores or improves these schools to safer, more conducive learning environments.

Last year, Hope for a Better Future constructed a new school in an Indigenous village, opening educational opportunities for local children and at-risk youth from surrounding areas. They have also established a school canteen in that village which provides nutritious porridge and lunch food to 300 children every day.

Nathalie was the Project Coordinator of Circular Explorer, a first-of-its-kind, 100% solar-powered recycling catamaran. Currently operating in Manila Bay, Philippines, the Circular Explorer collects marine plastic, educates and raises awareness on the circular economy, and serves as a marine science laboratory. This project, and her involvement in One Young World, served as a catalyst for her career growth leading to her current role as OIC Sustainability Manager in Holcim Philippines.

Aside from collecting 500 kg of marine litter each day from rivers and coastal areas, Circular Explorer serves as a floating scientific laboratory and mobile research centre. The catamaran’s advanced sensors collect data on water quality and microplastics that supports research by the University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute and makes recommendations to policymakers. The vessel also aids in training young scientists across the country. Simultaneously, in partnership with One Earth - One Ocean and other local partners, Circular Explorer provides workshops, clean-up drives, and learning toolkits to promote marine preservation and the circular economy.

In total, Circular Explorer has collected 82,000kg of marine litter and reached 7,000 people with environmental awareness. Circular Explorer now also has an education toolkit for primary and secondary levels which is being rolled out through a pilot program to at least 20 public schools this year. Through its marine science arm, 150 early-career researchers have been trained, and 350 microplastic samples have been collected.

Julia is an activist from WSCHÓD Initiative, a Polish movement fighting for social justice. To fulfil its goals, WSCHÓD is building public support for the Plan na Pokolenia (Plan for Generations), a comprehensive policy vision developed in collaboration with experts and other organisations. The Plan proposes reforms across nine key sectors in Poland, including healthcare, housing, energy and employment.

One initiative that Julia is especially proud of is WSCHÓD’s powerful Cicho już byłyśmy campaign (We Were Already Silent), which reached over 100 million viewers, in Poland and beyond, in the lead-up to the 2023 Polish elections. It became the symbol of the political moment at the time and a widely recognised call to action.

To date, WSCHÓD Initiative has organised and co-organised dozens of events, drawing tens of thousands of participants. The organisation also runs an annual activist camp, bringing together 100 young people for training, networking, and mobilisation.

Saffron is a Peer Researcher at the Young Women’s Trust, where she recently contributed to launching the new Rights at Work campaign. The campaign is focused on creating accessible solutions, shaped by lived experience, that provide young women with fair treatment, clear rights, and workplace safety.

The campaign is launching a nationwide research project on the enforcement of rights in the workplace for young women. It has also refined a message to government officials on suggested policy priorities, including personal testimonies of young women who faced discrimination and poor treatment in the workplace. This was guided by research undertaken by Rights to Work, that revealed 67% of young women surveyed reported facing discrimination in the workplace.

In 2024, the Young Women’s Trust provided more than 4,000 young women with coaching and job application feedback. In addition to her work with Young Women’s Trust and the Rights to Work campaign, Saffron is developing her own personal project, centred around improving the healthcare experiences of disabled and neurodiverse individuals and protecting their rights. This specifically focuses on mental health, gender violence, and trauma. Seeking collaboration, she encourages anyone with similar passions to get in touch.

Karen is the Administrative and Financial Director of Corporación Cultural Pasión y Corazón, a cultural organisation that democratises access to symphonic music and art. The initiative works in territories historically affected by discrimination and violence, and uses music as a tool for social transformation and peacebuilding.

Corporación Cultural Pasión y Corazón uses Pluriethnic Philharmonics, a unique educational methodology that recognises cultural diversity as a foundation for the restoration of rights. Within this approach, they have three distinct philharmonics focused on preserving Indigenous and Afro-Colombian musical traditions. Additionally, the project runs a Metropolitan Philharmonic that serves urban communities, combining professional and amateur musicians to make orchestral music part of everyday life in cities like Medellín and Bogotá.

In total, Corporación Cultural Pasión y Corazón has benefited more than 4,000 children and young people, with 94.6% from vulnerable socioeconomic backgrounds and 54.3% from rural or hard-to-reach areas. The organisation has also expanded internationally with tours in Mexico and Peru, establishing partnerships throughout Latin America, and performances have been attended by 85,000 people.
 

Kendra is the Just Transition Advisor for the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), where he supports the Government of Antigua and Barbuda to accomplish its climate action goals. In particular, he works on Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) targets, which outline how every country will reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and respond to the threat of climate change.

In this role, Kendra is focused on integrating equity-centered frameworks into climate change policy design and execution. In Antigua and Barbuda, a small island developing state where local communities are increasingly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change like rising sea levels, increased temperature, and extreme weather events, addressing the climate emergency is particularly important.

His work will help Antigua and Barbuda reach their targets, such as 86% renewable energy by 2030 and 100% electric vehicle sales by 2030. He also supports the broader development agendas like the National Adaptation Plan (NAP) and Long-Term Low Emission Development Strategies (LT-LEDS).

Alondra is the Founder and General Director of Ciencia Mágica, a science outreach initiative that transforms complex scientific concepts into accessible and engaging learning experiences. The project aims to democratise access to scientific knowledge, inspiring participants to pursue scientific careers, develop critical thinking skills, and adopt practices that contribute to more sustainable communities.

A cornerstone of Ciencia Mágica’s work is its Environmental Education Kits, which focus on themes such as “My First Garden” and “Water Guardians.” These kits provide children and families with hands-on tools to explore sustainability and ecological solutions. The initiative also offers conferences, workshops, and digital resources to further promote engagement with science.

To date, Ciencia Mágica has distributed 200 of its flagship Environmental Education Kits. It has reached over 200,000 participants through more than 100 in-person conferences and workshops, with an additional 50,000 individuals engaging with its online content. Moreover, over 100 teachers have been trained in scientific methodologies through its programmes.