The Iris Project

🌱 Meet the Seed Prize 2024 Shortlist! 🌟 Who do you think will be our winners and runners-up? 🤔 Sign up for our newsletter for the latest updates! 📩  linktr.ee/theiris_project #YouthEmpowerment #ClimateAction #NatureRestoration

Shreya K.C., our advisor, recently visited Sparśa, the 2023 Stem Prize winner, at their factory in Chitwan and Nawalparasi. She shared her experience: "I had the opportunity to see the process of making degradable pads from banana fibre and to meet the Sparsa team on the ground. They are doing incredible work by using locally available resources, like banana trunks, which would otherwise be burnt, causing air pollution. Their initiative not only benefits the environment but also creates job opportunities and breaks menstrual taboos in rural Nepal. It was inspiring to see the community's support for the Sparsa project and their willingness to help overcome local barriers. I am truly inspired by Dipisha Bhujel and her team leading by example." 🍌👩🔬💚 Want updates on incredible youth-led climate projects? Join our mailing list! 📧✨  linktr.ee/theiris_project #YouthEmpowerment #ClimateAction #NatureRestoration #WomenInSTEM #SocialImpact

We are thrilled to introduce the 22 shortlisted projects for The Iris Prize 2024! Selected from 1,034 applications across 21 countries, these outstanding projects stand out for their innovative and community-driven approaches to protecting and restoring nature in their local areas 🌿. Our judges are now reviewing the shortlist with an expert lens 👀 Kate Rothschild, James Thornton, Wanjira Mathai, Elizabeth Wathuti , O.G.W, Melati Wijsen, Aliza Ayaz, Enric Sala, Afroz Shah https://lnkd.in/eRD4ZN5B Global Greengrants Fund Greenhouse Communications Anouk D. Frances Storey Millie Edwards Yazid S. Mikail Ankica Sokolić Ezekiel Nyanfor Alicia Amancio Francisco Lara Fletes, sumarni Laman Shreya K.C. Ben Goldsmith Jess Ayers Harriet Williams Jade Brudenell Hannah Dillon Duane Silverstein Hannah Jones  

🌊 Bali is facing a severe water crisis, with groundwater levels dropping by 60% in some areas over the past decade due to loss of agricultural land, deforestation, and climate change. 🎓 Put your learning hats on! Our Iris Prize 2023 winner, Dipta Wirata , explains LIQUIFY's main work on recharge wells—what they are, how they work, and why they're essential for combating Bali's water crisis. Learn more 👉 liquify.id #WaterCrisis #Sustainability #RechargeWells #ClimateAction #YouthLeadership

Imagine the Earth as a grand orchestra, where all the different and countless species play unique instruments. Each creature or organism contributes its melody to this amazing symphony of life. To me, biodiversity is like the conductor, ensuring all these amazing parts harmonize to create a beautiful and powerful performance. Without it, the Earth's music would be flat and lifeless. And honestly, the value of biodiversity is that it makes our ecosystems more resilient, which is a prerequisite for stable societies; its wanton destruction is akin to setting fire to our lifeboat. We need to show up more and be intentional in protecting our biodiversity to ensure the orchestra keeps playing its vital melody for us and future generations to hear. Furthermore, it is together that we will be able to save our biodiversity. This is not a principle of effectiveness alone, but it is also a principle of humility; none of us can act alone. #BiodiversityMatters

We are excited to announce that The Iris Project is now an environmental partner with 1% for the Planet! 1% for the Planet connects businesses with environmental organizations to support global causes. Since 2002, when it was founded by Yvon Chouinard of Patagonia and Craig Mathews of Blue Ribbon Flies, the initiative has facilitated the donation of hundreds of millions of dollars to environmental projects. Interested in supporting The Iris Project through 1% for the Planet? Visit our profile to get started today 👉 https://lnkd.in/gbDtjcvT #onepercentfortheplanet #climateaction #environmentalaction Global Greengrants Fund Greenhouse Communications  Ben Goldsmith Kate Rothschild Hannah Dillon Jade Brudenell Hannah Jones Max Gottschalk Harriet Williams Duane Silverstein Jess Ayers

🌿 Our advisor, Ezekiel Nyanfor, recently connected with 80 passionate environmental students at the University of Liberia and African Methodist Episcopal University. They were excited to learn about The Iris Project and voiced a strong need for more capacity-building on climate change and environmental issues. Young people are key to the future, but they need the right tools. While we're proud to be part of the solution, there's still much more to work to be done. Stay inspired and subscribe to our newsletter. We'll be announcing the shortlisted applications for The Iris Prize 2024 very soon! 👉 linktr.ee/theiris_project #YouthEmpowerment #ClimateAction #EnvironmentalEducation #CapacityBuilding

Dear Friends, As we come together to celebrate Environmental Day, I want to share a personal journey that underscores the importance of our collective efforts and the need for systemic change. Over the years, I have been deeply involved in various environmental actions on the ground. I've planted trees in diverse ecosystems, battled forest fires on the front lines, and cleared mangrove forests of plastic and trash. These experiences have been incredibly fulfilling, yet I've come to realize that these actions, while vital, are not enough to address the systemic problems that threaten our environment. We need strong policies that engage all stakeholders. This realization hit home when the ASEAN Youth Forum invited me to help give inputs on the first-ever Environmental Rights Declaration in ASEAN. I was filled with enthusiasm and hope, seeing this as a pivotal step towards meaningful change. However, like any policy discussion, the process was far from easy. One of the biggest challenges we faced was advocating for the recognition of indigenous peoples and environmental defenders within the declaration. Despite our hard-fought efforts, these terms were seen as controversial by some leaders, and their inclusion was put at risk. Today, I reach out to you with a humble request. We need your support to ensure that the voices of indigenous communities and environmental defenders are not erased from this crucial declaration. By signing the petition linked below, you can help us show that there is widespread support for their recognition and protection. Please join me in this vital cause. Your signature can make a significant difference in safeguarding our environment and the rights of those who defend it. Together, we can push for the policies we need to create a sustainable and just future for all. [Sign the Petition] https://lnkd.in/g_KmfTfN Thank you for standing with us on this Environmental Day.

⛰️ We recently travelled to Kintamani, in northern Bali, with our Iris Prize 2023 winner, Dipta, to visit his water access project. Talking with the village priest and chief, we learnt about the project's profound impact on the local community. Dipta played a key role, connecting stakeholders and financial backers to install a water pump at a temple at the hill's base. Now, every household and temple in the village has stable running water, eliminating the need for hauling water by motorbikes or trucks 💧 Want more inspiring updates, stories, and opportunities in your inbox? Subscribe to our newsletter 👉 linktr.ee/theiris_project ReMade in Cambodia Alyssa Erin Kardos Loera sumarni Laman @anouk-d #WaterAccess #CommunityImpact #YouthLeadership

📣 7 YOUTH CLIMATE OPPORTUNITIES including funding, capacity building & events Check out the latest issue of our Ecosystem Round-up newsletter, where we share a carefully curated list of climate-related funding, events, and capacity-building opportunities tailored for #youth to support your projects and ideas! Read here 👉 https://lnkd.in/gcnjeaWE Subscribe to our newsletter 👉