The OAY Annual Top 30 Under 30 Youth Innovators for Employment Creation Award is a socio-economic initiative designed to turn creative climate technology into sustainable livelihoods. We identify and support youth-led projects that move beyond big ideas into scalable, job creating enterprises.
Programmatic area: Socio-Economic Empowerment
Focus Areas
We look for transformative solutions across five key themes:
Clean Energy: Renewables, storage, and smart distribution.
Climate Adaptation: Resilient infrastructure and disaster management.
Smart Agriculture: Food security and irrigation.
Circular Economy: Waste-to-energy and pollution management.
Cross-Cutting Tech: AI and digital tools for climate action.
Selection Criteria
To ensure winners are both scientifically sound and commercially viable, we evaluate:
Impact: Clear metrics for carbon mitigation or climate resilience.
Scalability: A business model ready for regional or international growth.
Feasibility: Preference for working prototypes (mid-to-high Technology Readiness Level).
Equity: Focus on projects that empower vulnerable or indigenous communities.