The Commonwealth Youth Awards 2023 have brought to light the remarkable achievements of young leaders from across the Commonwealth who are making tangible contributions to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Among the 50 social entrepreneurs, environmental champions, innovators, and human rights activists shortlisted, four Indian young leaders stand proud, ready to inspire the world with their innovative initiatives. In this article, we delve deep into the extraordinary work of these young change-makers and their endeavors to create a better world.
Commonwealth Youth Awards
The youth of today hold immense potential to shape a brighter future for all. Their passion, drive, and determination have the power to ignite change and address pressing global challenges. The Commonwealth Youth Awards recognize the value of youth-led initiatives, showcasing how young leaders can actively shape the world they want to see. This year’s selection of 50 outstanding young individuals from across the Commonwealth emphasizes the importance of empowering youth to lead the way in sustainable development.
Akshay Makar: Pioneering Climate Action
Akshay Makar, the CEO of Climatenza Solar, is leading the charge in combating climate change. Climatenza Solar is a mission-focused company working to decarbonize the industrial sector by collaborating with major global corporations like Coca-Cola, Tata Group, and Unilever. Through the implementation of 23MW capacity, the company aims to cut a staggering 37,430 tonnes of carbon emissions.
Akshay’s ambitious vision extends to manufacturing 273 MW capacity over the next five years, resulting in a saving of over 650,000 tonnes of carbon emissions. His exemplary commitment to SDG13 – Climate Action serves as a shining example of how businesses can contribute positively to the environment.
Soumya Dabriwal: Empowering Gender Equality through Project Baala
Soumya Dabriwal, a development practitioner and Economics Graduate from the University of Warwick, recognized a pressing issue while volunteering in Ghana. Girls in many parts of the world face challenges related to menstrual hygiene, leading to absenteeism from school during their periods. Soumya’s empathy and determination gave birth to Project Baala, which aims to deliver innovative menstrual hygiene solutions.
Since its inception in 2018, Project Baala has provided an astounding 1.5 million reusable pads and conducted over 4,000 awareness workshops for 500,000 women and girls across four countries and 25 states of India. Through SDG 5 – Gender Equality, Soumya is breaking down barriers and creating a more inclusive world.
Kaushal Shetty: Providing Sustainable Shelter Solutions with Nostos Homes
In times of natural disasters, displacement poses a significant challenge for communities. Kaushal Shetty, the Co-Founder and CEO of Nostos Homes, is tackling this issue head-on. Nostos Homes is a non-profit organization that builds sustainable emergency shelters for those displaced by calamities.
The homes designed by Nostos act as scalable, data-driven, low-cost, and rapid deployment solutions, ensuring that affected areas receive the necessary support efficiently. The impact of Nostos Homes is profound, having facilitated over 481,000 nights of shelter in India and on the African Continent. Through his work, Kaushal embodies the spirit of SDG 11 – Sustainable Cities and Communities.
Shrutika Silswal: Transforming Education with the Simple Education Foundation
Education is a cornerstone of development and progress. Shrutika Silswal, a Dalai Lama Fellow and the Head of Programmes at the Simple Education Foundation in Uttarakhand, is playing a crucial role in ensuring quality education for government school children in the region.
The Simple Education Foundation supports more than 200 government school children across five schools by delivering contextual and sustainable school transformation programmes. Shrutika’s ongoing efforts to design a program that will impact over 100 government schools in Uttarakhand further solidify her commitment to SDG 4 – Quality Education.
Celebrating Youth Excellence: The Commonwealth Youth Awards
The Commonwealth Youth Awards recognize the outstanding achievements of young leaders, but the recognition doesn’t end there. The shortlisted 50 young change-makers will now compete to be among the twenty finalists. The finalists will have the opportunity to attend the prestigious awards ceremony in London on September 14.
Each of the finalists will receive a trophy, certificate, and GBP 1,000 to expand the impact of their work, adding fuel to their vision. Furthermore, the top finalist from each region will be acknowledged as the regional winner and will be awarded GBP 3,000. One exceptional individual among the five regional winners will earn the prestigious title of Commonwealth Young Person of the Year 2023, along with GBP 5,000.
A Youth-Led Path to a Better World
The Commonwealth Youth Awards 2023 aptly align with the Commonwealth Year of the Youth, a testament to the belief that development should be youth-led. Baroness Patricia Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary-General, acknowledges the dynamic role young people play in shaping the future, stating that they are not mere bystanders but active creators of positive change.
By recognizing and celebrating youth-led initiatives, the Commonwealth Youth Awards inspire others to take action, fueling a movement that drives us closer to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals.