Celebrating innovative green youth businesses this Earth Day 

At YBI, we believe specialised entrepreneurship support around green businesses can unlock the potential of young entrepreneurs as agents and leaders of change, creating vital economic and employment opportunities in the process. By removing barriers for businesses that prioritise purpose over profit, we can work towards a more sustainable future. In 2023, over 10,000 businesses supported by our network had a specific green or environmental purpose. 

Earth Day 2024: Planet vs. Plastics 

Every year on 22 April, the world observes Earth Day, an opportunity to demonstrate support for environmental protection. This year’s Earth Day theme is Planet vs. Plastics, calling for a reduction in plastic production and an increased effort to stop plastic pollution. Such a huge change requires innovative solutions and better awareness of sustainable practices. Our commitment to providing support and information to youth businesses aims to address this skills and knowledge gap through specific programmes designed and delivered with our global network of members. Regardless of the location, we have seen young entrepreneurs’ appetite to develop their sustainable business practices and solve local environmental problems. The new generation of young entrepreneurs is eager to become a force for good. 

Initiatives supporting green businesses 

Working with our partners, YBI is addressing many barriers to young green social entrepreneurs such as access to finance, gender inequality, and knowledge barriers around sustainable business practices. 

Elizabeth Atieno, 26, benefited from mentoring sessions provided my our member Somo, Kenya as part of our Revolving Loan Fund, funded by Standard Chartered Foundation, enabling her to grow her business Ento Farms. A waste management company that produces quality protein for animal feeds and fertilisers, her business is thriving in solving local environmental problems thanks to the loan and guidance she has received. 

Rita, supported by Youth Business Spain and owner of the pastry shop Galguería, is looking to embed sustainability and local impact throughout her business.

“My sustainability vision is for Galguería to be leaders in the production of artisanal pastries in the town of Miguelturra, offering high-quality, kilometre “0” products and, if possible, of agroecological origin, innovative and delicious, based on local and sustainable raw materials.”

Since joining the Sustainability Toolkit training pilot, funded by JPMorgan Chase & Co., she has opened her shop using suppliers that fit her sustainability vision and is working to reduce energy use and product waste. Rita is one of 100 young entrepreneurs from across industries in France, Germany, Spain, South Africa and the UK who took part in the pilot last year. The toolkit is now in its second pilot phase, equipping another 200 youth-led businesses with the skills and knowledge to be more sustainable. 

Fighting plastic waste and pollution 

The current generation of young entrepreneurs are aware of the impact plastic is having on their environment, and our members are supporting some of these businesses in solving environmental issues. Here are some businesses worth celebrating this Earth Day. 

Alicia Barrie, 30, supported by Youth Business Caribbean 

Alicia’s business Glastic Designs Interior Styles transforms plastic waste into sustainable and stunning wall and floor tiles. She started her business because she felt that enough was not being done locally to recycle and upcycle plastics. Her business now contributes to reducing plastic in Trinidad and Tobago. 

Yuki Egawa, 30, supported by ETIC. (Japan) 

Yuki’s business is working to solve the marine litter problem, collecting, quantifying and mapping what they find. Some of the collected marine debris is sold to recycling companies. Along with raising awareness in local communities, Yuki’s business has so far collected about 1.5 tons of rubbish, including plastic, from the ocean and recycled about 300kg of the collection. 

Ronald Mugaiga, 28, supported by Enterprise Uganda 

Ecomak Recyclers is Ronald’s social enterprise that transforms plastic waste into low-carbon construction bricks, blocks and roofing tiles that are cheaper and faster to build with than cement, offering a sustainable and speedy solution to housing shortages as Africa’s population grows. 

Celebrating the generation for change with the Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards 

This June, the first-ever Youth Business International Bootcamp will be taking place. 30 green and social businesses supported by YBI members will be taking part in a week of learning and connection, culminating in a pitching competition where nine finalists will be selected for the Global Young Entrepreneur of the Year Awards. The three award categories – Sustainable Business, Climate Business, and Social Business – are a reflection of the wealth of impact businesses supported by our network. As we celebrate innovative green youth businesses this Earth Day, we also want to take a moment to celebrate the Bootcamp participants, all shortlisted for the awards, who are excellent examples of purpose-focused entrepreneurs.