Skopje, July 22, 2022 – At the final event of the Generation Unlimited – Technology for the Planet youth challenge, two teams of young innovators were chosen to represent us at the Generation Unlimited 2022 global challenge.

Five teams made up of young people aged 16 to 24 presented their ideas for dealing with climate change through the use of digital technologies.

According to the presentations and evaluations of the jury of experts, the teams Bio Techno Logic and Green Hot Chili Peppers were chosen as the winners.

The youth challenge is implemented through the partnership of UNICEF and the Foundation Telekom for Macedonia. This year, the challenge was implemented by the Center for Social Innovations BLINK 42 – 21.

The ideas proposed by these young people will contribute to the protection of the environment, at levels both national and global. The Bio Techno Logic team has created an automated and digital organic waste bin, which in its final phase will produce natural bio-humus. Тhe Green Hot Chili Peppers team, on the other hand, has an idea for environmental protection by creating a special bin, which independently selects waste, while simultaneously producing electricity.

As a result of the innovative ideas, the jury of experts decided to award a cash prize of EUR 2,500 (for the advancement of the idea) and mentoring support to a third team. Given that the fashion industry is responsible for 10 percent of the global CO2 emissions, the Oh Swapp Team plans to develop a mobile application for the exchange of clothes and books.

At today's final event of the challenge, UNICEF representative Patrizia DiGiovanni addressed the young people. She stated: “We are happy to create opportunities for you to develop ideas for dealing with perhaps the biggest threat to our future – climate change. Keep believing in yourself and your ideas, keep looking for answers and solutions to the problems you want to eradicate. All great innovations begin as an idea and a willingness to act, and I am proud to recognize that in you today.” Lea Lipsha from the Foundation Telekom for Macedonia highlighted the continuous support they provide for social innovations and youth ideas. She urged young people to believe in themselves and take advantage of the given opportunity. “We have repeatedly shown that we have young people who can compete with their peers in the world and get the better of them. Technology is the best tool to deal with the challenges of today, use it and show our potential to the world,” said Lipsha.

This year, the challenge was implemented by the Center for Social Innovations BLINK 42 – 21. This organization implemented a field and digital campaign, informing young people about the way to apply for this challenge. The public call received 40 applications, from a total of 127 secondary school and university students.

Zorica Velkovska, co-founder of BLINK 42 – 21, pointed out that the organization has been working with young people for ten years, continuously creating digital tools that facilitate the daily life of all citizens. “The successful implementation of the challenge is a testament that young people deserve even more support in our society. Support should be very specific and practical. Not only does this challenge allow young people to apply their knowledge in practice and contribute to a healthier environment, but it also encourages interaction and communication among secondary school students and students from different cities,” said Velkovska from BLINK 42 – 21.

Brief information about the winning teams:

Bio Techno Logic – Angela Isovska, Mihaela Petrovska and Jovan Dejanoski are the young creatives who for the past months have been working on a “soil bin” – an automated and digital organic waste bin where Californian worms help decompose the waste, thus yielding a natural bio-humus. By automating the maintenance process for the bio-decomposition function, the bin will be easy to operate and it will likely be accepted and applied in households and industry; the device could also be operated by a mobile application when people are away.

Green Hot Chili Peppers – Nikola Kocevski, Ljubica Ristovska, Kristina Cokovska, Jovan Simonovski and Teodora Petrovska are young students-innovators, environmentalists and enthusiasts, who are part of the Green Hot Chili Peppers team. The essence of their idea is a permanent solution to the waste problem, with an emphasis on sorting. They are developing a solution for a “smart” bin that uses sensors to sort waste into several categories. With built-in solar panels, the product would also be energy efficient. In addition, they also plan on creating a mobile application that will award points and benefits to motivate citizens to sort waste.

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