Thirteen youth-led projects are set to benefit from the Driving Force for Change initiative, intended for projects that tackle issues of climate change, waste management and biodiversity loss.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis initiative, worth R1.3 million, announced on Youth Day this year, responded to the President\u2019s challenge to South Africa\u2019s youth challenge to craft and design programmes that will make the country reach its developmental goals and address the unemployment crisis,\u201d Minister of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries, Barbara Creecy said.<\/p>\n
On Thursday, the Minister announced 13 successful projects for the Driving Force for Change initiative at the South African National Biodiversity Institute in Pretoria.<\/p>\n
\u201cToday\u2019s initiative intends to translate concepts into bankable business ideas, to explore unchartered territories through research and development; to incubate and nurture innovation and technology, to equip our youth with the necessary skills sets and capacity, so that their projects have a positive impact on the environment,\u201d Creecy said.<\/p>\n
More than 250 applications were received for the initiative, across the four themes – namely, climate change adaptation, climate change mitigation, biodiversity and ecosystems, and waste management solutions.<\/p>\n
The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries set aside a total of R1 million to enable the selected youth projects to implement ideas that support young innovators and entrepreneurs, who want to create a more environmentally friendly economy and society.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur international partners have been generous in providing technical and financial support for our initiative. We have received an additional financial contribution of R300 000 from the British High Commission. <\/p>\n
\u201cThis has allowed us to increase our number of winners to 13. The German Technical Agency is ready to provide technical support to the project winners and training in business acumen,\u201d said Creecy.<\/p>\n
Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan The department has committed to pursue projects that will contribute towards the Economic Reconstruction and Recovery Plan, aimed at stimulating equitable and inclusive growth.<\/p>\n \u201cOur recovery programme notes that the pursuit of green industrialisation and a green future is an important intervention to ensure a sustainable solution to climate vulnerability and economic competitiveness,\u201d the Minister said.<\/p>\n
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