Supporting Youth and Entrepreneurship in Facing Climate Change

Egypt Empowers Youth to Lead the Fight Against Climate Change Through UniGreen National Competition

Cairo, Egypt — In a groundbreaking initiative aimed at combatting climate change through youth empowerment and innovation, the Ministry of Environment has launched the UniGreen National Competition, with funding from the European Union and implementation by the Life Makers Foundation in partnership with the Arab Academy for Science and Technology.

The competition represents a real model of collaboration between the government, private sector, civil society, and scientific institutions, united by a shared goal: developing practical solutions to mitigate the impact of climate change on local and global levels.

Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, led the launch event and emphasized the importance of scientific research in addressing climate challenges. She stated:

“Egypt’s hosting of COP27 and participation in COP28 reflect our nation’s commitment to climate resilience. The National Climate Strategy 2050 laid the foundation for integrated efforts involving youth, civil society, and private stakeholders.”

🌱 Youth and Community at the Center

The Minister highlighted that more than 65,000 youth have been trained on climate issues since COP27, in addition to partnerships with over 17,000 civil society organizations. She praised the active involvement of young people at COP27, where 5,000 youth were trained before the conference alone.

The competition aims to transform young minds into climate innovators, encouraging them to develop entrepreneurial solutions in areas such as:

• Clean energy

• Sustainable agriculture

• Waste management and recycling

• Water conservation

• Biodiversity protection

📚 Climate Awareness Through Education

Dr. Fouad also shed light on the Ministry’s four-year effort to integrate climate change and biodiversity concepts into school curricula for students aged 6 to 16, as well as introduce environmental sciences at university levels. In collaboration with the Supreme Council of Universities, new interdisciplinary curricula are being developed to promote sustainable natural resource management and eco-conscious thinking.

🌍 Egypt’s Global Role in Climate Action

Egypt’s role in international climate negotiations has expanded with its successful hosting of COP27 in Sharm El-Sheikh and active participation in COP28 in Dubai. Notable achievements include:

• Activation of the Loss and Damage Fund

• Pushing for a global adaptation goal

• Commitments to phase out fossil fuels gradually