Young innovators reimagining waste for climate action

At the foot of Malawi’s Thyolo hills, where innovation meets resilience, young people are stepping forward with bold ideas to fight climate change.

Fueled by hope and the pressing realities of a changing climate, their visions are being brought to life through a UNICEF-supported Climate and Green Entrepreneurship Programme.

The initiative, funded by the United Kingdom National Committee for UNICEF (UNICEF UK) and implemented by the African Drone and Data Academy (ADDA) at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST), is equipping Malawi’s youth with the inspiration and practical tools to shape creative solutions for their communities—solutions that turn climate challenges into opportunities for innovation and growth.

Among the emerging changemakers are Karen Lombe and Anthony Simwaka. Lombe is a lab technician at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS) and a proud MUST alumna, while Simwaka is a fifth-year Land Surveying student at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS) with a passion for Geographic Information System (GIS) and smart technologies that leverage computer technologies to capture, store, manage, analyze and visualize geographic or spatial information.

"I feel incredibly proud and grateful to be part of this programme," shares. "It has given me the confidence to transform my ideas into real solutions for my community, and to work alongside other passionate young innovators who are determined to make a difference in addressing the climate crisis that is affecting our communities."

Launched in June 2024, the initiative targets children and youth aged 12 to 25, equipping them with practical skills in sustainability, innovation and green entrepreneurship.

Moved by the devastation caused by Cyclone Freddy in 2023, Karen recalls the hardship faced by families displaced near her home in Blantyre. “When Cyclone Freddy struck, I could see the pain and uncertainty in the faces of those who lost everything right outside my door at Manja Primary School.

“Witnessing their struggle was a turning point for me—it made me realise that I couldn’t just stand by. I wanted to use what I’ve learned to bring hope and practical solutions to my community, so no one would have to feel that helpless again.”

Together with Anthony, Karen conceptualised Pamchenga, a prototype project still at ideation stage, which seeks to turn plastic waste into early childhood learning materials such as dusters, alphabet shapes, and counting tools.

The idea is simple but powerful, reuse waste to support education while reducing environmental harm.

“The training helped me connect my academic research with real-world climate solutions,” says Anthony. “I was introduced to drone technology, GIS and community-focused design thinking. Pamchenga allows us to merge environmental protection with early childhood development.” 

The Climate and Green Entrepreneurship Programme was delivered in two phases. The first, running through November 2024, focused on tailored climate education for different age groups. The second phase, from November 2024 to May 2025, supported young innovators like Karen and Anthony to refine and test their ideas through mentorship, incubation and design labs.

According to Ndapile Mkuwu, Project Manager for the ADDA Incubation Unit at MUST, the programme is built to give young people both a platform and the tools they need to succeed.

“We want youth to understand climate change and be part of the solution,” she explains. “That’s why we support both high-tech and low-tech innovations. Participants get access to mentorship, design tools, and practical guidance to bring their ideas to life.”

Working closely with the Ministry of Youth, the programme identifies participants through local youth clubs and provides them with hands-on training in engineering, problem-solving and community outreach.

As Karen puts it: “This isn’t just about ideas. It’s about building the Malawi we want to live in.”