EE 30 Under 30

Aruna Bangura empowers local communities, youth, and women to cultivate creative Indigenous solutions and promote sustainable livelihood opportunities through engagement with the community, training, and education.

Sierra Leone, Age 26

Megha works with young children to foster environmental consciousness through arts and games, and encourages small, meaningful actions that create a lasting impact over time.

India, Age 17

Joe is a researcher and educator who explores peoples' relation to nature, particularly to coasts, and how we can build good futures to support people and places.

United Kingdom, Age 30

2025–2026 EE 30 Under 30 Changemaker Grant Project
A Sanday Storybook

Sanday, in Scotland’s Orkney Islands, has a unique ecological and cultural heritage, which I hope to share and celebrate through A Sanday Storybook. With support of the Changemaker Grant, I will collaborate with residents (school groups, retirees, heritage volunteers, artists), collecting photographs and stories that reflect everyday experiences of coastal life and human-Ocean connections. The project builds on my award-winning research on Sanday’s social ecology and extends my previous workshops exploring how art, education, and storytelling (an Orcadian speciality) can deepen environmental care.

Jibreel is an environmental educator focused on the importance of urban gardening, street tree stewardship, composting, adult education, and community building.

United States, Age 29

Antonio empowers youth to turn climate knowledge into action through environmental education, storytelling, and inclusive, intergenerational collaboration for a sustainable future.

Mexico, Age 27

Yuli is an environmental practitioner passionate about guiding coastal communities in building waste-free, self-reliant communities through education and sustainable development.

Indonesia, Age 28

Fantina is a young climate innovator and advocate who empowers young people and Indigenous communities in conflict-affected Cameroon through environmental education and community-driven climate action.

Cameroon, Age 28

Jabel highlights the role of women fishers, exploring social and gender impacts in her research related to mangrove ecosystems and estuaries.

Guatemala, Age 24

Nokwanda supports inclusive conservation practices, empowering marginalized communities and inspiring young environmental stewards.

South Africa, Age 26

Suzie Hicks is an award-winning filmmaker, author, and television host, specializing in climate and environmental communication for kids of all ages.

United States, Age 29

Mark advocates for youth empowerment and biodiversity conservation, aspiring to create sustainable income streams that help mainstream conservation efforts.

Malaysia, Age 30

Arianna is a student leader and activist who is passionate about sustainable development, climate resilience, and environmental justice.

United States, Age 20

Esther is a conservation activist who trains teachers to inspire students, weaving conservation into the classroom and everyday life.

Uganda, Age 24

Howard Mwesigwa inspires and equips young people to respond to the climate crisis through environmental education, leadership development, and community engagement.

Uganda, Age 27

Manisha empowers marginalized LGBTIQAPH+ and sex worker communities through climate education, inclusive green entrepreneurship, and sustainable livelihood initiatives.

Bangladesh, Age 30

Nora empowers youth and women through KingsCombo Ltd, an agribusiness enhancing environmental education, sustainable agriculture, and value addition to promote zero hunger, reduce poverty, and build resilient communities.

Cameroon, Age 29

2025–2026 EE 30 Under 30 Changemaker Grant Project
The Green Entrepreneur Bootcamp 

The Green Entrepreneur Bootcamp is a transformative initiative designed to empower 150 youth and women in Buea, South West Region of Cameroon, with the skills, mindset, and opportunities needed to build sustainable, environmentally conscious communities. The project combines environmental education, hands-on entrepreneurship training, financial literacy, and mentorship to strengthen local capacity for green innovation, climate-smart business development, and financial resilience. Through this Bootcamp, participants will learn how to transform local environmental and agricultural challenges into viable business opportunities. Participants will be introduced to topics such as green business models, climate-smart farming, waste-to-wealth innovation, food processing, packaging, and eco-friendly production practices.

Jumoke is redefining climate action through people, knowledge, and purpose.

Nigeria, Age 28

Krishna is a young polymath, engineer and the Founder of Sov Lanatir: Mauritius' leading youth-led environmental NGO committed to amplifying voices of African countries and Big Ocean States for climate justice. 

Mauritius, Age 27

Anjali explores the intersection of art, ecology, and inclusive education, nurturing deeper connections between people, place, and the living world through creative environmental storytelling.

India, Age 26

Mariana promotes biking and walkable communities to shape a more sustainable urban mobility.

Mexico, Age 30

Paz blends environmental education, energy justice, and youth leadership to turn climate knowledge into action in vulnerable urban communities.

Argentina, Age 27

2025–2026 EE 30 Under 30 Changemaker Grant Project
Voices of the Puna: Community-Led Film Workshop and Documentary Production

Storytelling is a powerful tool to teach Indigenous youth how to raise their voices and build narratives that defend their environment and cultural heritage. "Voices of Puna" aims to empower Indigenous youth in Cusi Cusi to become storytellers and environmental advocates. These communities live in regions deeply affected by extractive industries, water scarcity, and climate change, yet their voices are often excluded from the political decisions that define their future of their territories. This project combines environmental education with documentary filmmaking to create a participatory process that strengthens local capacities and amplifies marginalized perspectives. Students in their final years of high school will learn to analyze environmental challenges such as mining impacts, waste management, and water access, and transform these realities into compelling audiovisual stories. Through hands-on training in recording techniques, storyboarding, and ethical storytelling, youth will gain practical skills to document their surroundings and articulate their visions for a sustainable future.

Ines uses immersive technology to make environmental and cultural education engaging, preserving heritage and inspiring climate awareness through interactive XR storytelling.

Tunisia & United States, Age 29

Sreyas is an environmental educator inspiring schools and young changemakers to turn environmental awareness into impactful actions to shape a sustainable and resilient tomorrow.

India, Age 28

Lara guides people to reconnect with themselves and the planet through lifestyle and career choices.

Philippines, Age 30

Nischal empowers local communities through citizen science and technology to promote human-wildlife coexistence and advance evidence-based conservation of endangered species in Nepal.

Nepal, Age 29

Stefanie transforms ocean education into a tool for empowerment, inspiring young people to see themselves as leaders and take action for the ocean.

Peru, Age 27

2025–2026 EE 30 Under 30 Changemaker Grant Project
Creative Waves: Youth Art and Culture for Ocean Conservation in Los Órganos 

This project will strengthen the youth group “Guardians of the Reserve” in Los Órganos, northern Peru, by integrating creative and cultural approaches into their ongoing marine conservation work. The group, established in 2025 as part of the broader Guardians of the Reserve: Mar Tropical de Grau program supported by Mission Blue, consists of 25 young residents who have completed a nine-session training series on leadership and ocean conservation. 
Building on this success, the next phase will focus on creativity, culture, and community engagement as powerful tools for environmental education. Between December 2025 and August 2026, youth Guardians will co-design and lead a series of art-based educational activities that reflect their connection with the ocean and their community’s cultural identity. These creative spaces will allow them to explore how local heritage, biodiversity, and daily life are deeply intertwined, translating conservation messages into experiences that inspire empathy and collective action.

Gianna is a youth activist who has used environmental education to build resilience among public school students and frontline communities since the age of ten.

Brazil, Age 18

Carmen is a climate change and circular economy advocate with a particular focus on creative practices, local communities, and knowledge.

Guatemala, Age 30

Diego uses his generalist approach to teach how health, the environment, and innovation intertwine in sustainable actions.

Paraguay, Age 29

Yani is a disaster survivor and responder using education to empower communities and protect the environment.

Philippines, Age 30