Climate Justice Idea Competition 2022

ActionAid, in association with The Daily Star, organised a Climate Justice Idea Competition 2022, the grand final and prize-giving ceremony of which were held on November 19, 2022, at The Daily Star Centre. Six out of 69 teams were selected for the final round. The finalists, groomed through technical and mentoring sessions by sector experts, presented their ideas before an expert panel of judges who chose the best three ideas.

Farah Kabir
Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh

Human behaviour is the most difficult thing to change. This component must be included in our climate justice ideas. Similarly, solid evidence is required to bring change in our policies. Young people have the energy and creativity to lead these changes. We must encourage and help them.

Syed Ashfaqul Haque

Executive Editor, The Daily Star

Innovative ideas are the biggest catalyst for progress, change and social development. Initiatives taken by youths give us hope that they are involving themselves in addressing climate change issues and finding solutions. Robust investment in research and development is needed to make these projects successful and sustainable.

Nahim Razzaq

Member of the Parliament

Climate change might be an opportunity for the youth. They are taking the lead in terms of advocacy and introducing innovative ideas to combat climate change. The business model has to be innovative and geared towards behavioural change. Business entities must come forward to make these projects sustainable.

Three Winning Ideas

Champion: Wastech

Wastech – Trash into cash

Team members: Mohammad Mohiuddin Sourav, Jabir Al Mahdi Izaan, Juairia Haque Mahi

Wastech (app and website) is a one-stop solution for upcycling solid waste into crafted merchandise and turning trash into cash by bringing behavioural changes. The app will help consumers check the progress on waste management.

First runner-up: The Ackermans

Foresight - Sustainable eyewear

Team members: Ashikur Rahman, SM Muzahid Fahim, Md Asif Al Akib

The eyewear will be made by using textile waste directly collected from garments and mixing it with bio-resins to give shape and transform it into frames. It will replace oil-based plastics.

Second runner-up: Lego Hulks

Plastiit

Team members: Rubaita Younus Aurthi, Jawhara Rahman Jorgia, Saida Afrose Esha

The idea is to make plastic bricks from plastic wastage. The plastic blocks would allow the climate refugees to rebuild their houses at a cheaper cost. The product is portable, reusable and easy to use.

Adjudication Panel

1. Mr. Nazmul Ahsan

Manager- Young People

ActionAid Bangladesh

2. Ms. Mushfiqua Zaman Satiar

Senior Policy Adviser- Social Sector Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands

3. Ms Shamima Akhter

Head for Corporate Affairs

Unilever Bangladesh Limited

4. Dr. Abdur Nur Tushar

Physician and Media Personality

5. Mr. Mahfuz Sadique

Chief Communications Officer

bKash Limited

Mentors

1. Md. Abdul Quayyum

Head of Communications

UNDP Bangladesh and Chair of UN Communications Group in Bangladesh

2. Mohammad Soeb Iftekhar

Associate Director- Programs

iDE Bangladesh

3. Tasmiah Tabassum Rahman

Associate Director

Skills Development Programme

BRAC

4. Md. Rubaiyath Sarwar

Managing Director and

Lead  Consultant

Innovision Consulting

5. Sadruddin Imran

Chairman and CEO

Innovision Consulting

6. Md. Sariful Islam

National Communications Officer International Organisation for Migration (IOM)Bangladesh

Technical team speakers

1. Suvendu Biswas

Senior Porgramme Officer

Youth Mobilisation and

Climate  Action

ActionAid Bangladesh

2. Shakila Sattar

Founder & CEO of Busy

Bee- a social enterprise &

Co-founder of The Earth  Society- a  social welfare organisation

Campaign management team

1. Tanjim Ferdous

In-charge, NGOs & Foreign Missions

The Daily Star

2. Sousan Suha

Officer, Documentation, Outreach and Media Engagement ActionAid Bangladesh

3. Sumaia Pithi

Intern

The Daily Star

4. Tanjia Tasnim

Intern

The Daily Star