The Definitive Guide to Living in the Capital , Cairo , Egypt

Featured image via Youthinkgreen Egypt / Facebook

In January 2019, Smithsonian published an article, stating that Antarctica’s ice loss had reached 250 billion tons per year, a rate that increased between 1979 and 2017. The silver lining that we can take from this tragedy is that there are always initiative-takers around the world that make it their mission in life to help save the environment, starting with Egypt.

In July, Youthinkgreen Egypt, an organisation that empowers the younger generation to create sustainable ecological solutions, posted, “We are proud now that there are three different institutions around the country supporting the first Climate Launchpad competition in Egypt. The competition in Egypt is powered by YTG, and now in partnership with the British Embassy in Egypt, and Inspire Egypt.”

Around a month later, the British Embassy in Cairo shared some extra details about the competition. Firstly, they elaborated on the Climate Launchpad program, which is part of the EIT Climate-KIC, “the European Union’s innovation program for climate change with over 100 global partners”. CEO of Climate-KIC, Kirsten Dunlop,said, “Climate Launchpad is a space for converting passion to action.” Secondly, the embassy stated the top two start-ups will take part in the Climate Launchpad Global Grand Final in November in Amsterdam, where 125 “green” start-ups from 53 countries will compete. The top three global winners will receive cash prizes, ranging from 2,500 to 10,000 euros.

Egypt’s national competition took place last week, on the 26^th of September. According to Sada El-Balad English (SEE), 13 companies pitched their innovative ideas to the judging panel, which included former Environment Minister, Dr Laila Eskander; Founder of design company Fourty Nine, Ashraf Tawakkol; Chairperson of Delta Inspire, Neveen El-Tahiri; and Regional Program Manager at Cedare, Dr Amr Abd Elmegeed. At the end, and after months of strenuous efforts, Glassolina and The Evergreens were crowned the national winners and qualified for the Grand Final.

We can’t wait to see our champions next month on the international platform, where they will rock the stage with their projects.