Swarovski Foundation pledges €120,000 for sustainable innovation projects

The Swarovski Foundation today announced the 2024 edition of the Creatives for our Future program.

The programme, run in partnership with the United Nations Office for Partnership, is currently accepting applications from young creators from around the world, aged 21 to 30, who have innovative ideas that can help accelerate sustainable development.

This year, six successful candidates will receive €20,000 in financial support, as well as an educational programme in partnership with leading international institutions, tailored mentoring and industry networking opportunities to help them develop their innovation and careers.

Applications are open from 3 September 2024 to 15 October 2024 (23:59 UK time) at www.sfcreatives.org. Successful applicants will be notified and publicly announced in April 2025 at UN Headquarters in New York.

From fashion to art to engineering, the programme has supported 21 sustainable innovation projects since its launch in 2020, enabling beneficiaries to grow and scale their projects – either through funding to advance their research or through mentoring and networking opportunities to explore new directions.

“The Swarovski Foundation’s mission is to promote sustainable livelihoods through education to reduce inequality. Through Creatives for Our Future, we can leverage this with young, creative talents who strive to pioneer innovation and lead new approaches and ideas in sustainable development,” said Jakhya Rahman Corey, Director of the Swaroski Foundation.

“By receiving over 1,500 applications from 92 countries to date and supporting 21 cohort members, we are demonstrating that creativity has the power to solve global challenges and achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. The Swarovski Foundation looks forward to this year’s applications turning their ideas into reality with access to education, resources and an important support network,” she said.

Nigeria has previously raised the banner for the continent and boasts two alumni and beneficiaries of the program – Joshua Ichor and Stanley Aniogbogu. Joshua developed a hand pump monitoring system and built a clean water kiosk for rural communities in sub-Saharan Africa. His efforts have increased community access to clean water, which is crucial in regions where this basic need is lacking. His clean water kiosk has provided over 50,000 liters of clean water to community members, enabling over 10,000 people in sub-Saharan Africa to access clean water every day.

Through the Creatives for Our Future program, he has been able to expand his operations to Kenya and Uganda and hopes to install 50 new water monitoring systems before the end of the year.

Stanley Anigbogu’s inspiration came from the challenges he faced in his early years. Stanley had to study regularly by candlelight, which resulted in eye infections due to the noxious fumes. To solve this problem, he developed an eco-friendly energy solution by reusing electronic waste and plastic bottles to provide clean energy and light sources to marginalized groups.

Through Creatives for Our Future, Stanley built the local AVATAR Station in Nigeria, a solar-powered facility made from recycled shipping containers known as “AVATAR Station.” The station serves as a community center that educates students and residents about climate change and the benefits of renewable energy. Stanley also launched his own curriculum, Eco Heroes. The program not only teaches children about renewable energy, but includes mentoring from global sustainability experts and culminates in students undertaking projects that address real-world issues.

Stanley says, “Lack of access to energy is a huge problem, and candles and kerosene lamps are often the only alternatives—a challenge I have experienced firsthand. Creatives for Our Future has provided me with the support and resources I needed to turn my vision of reducing emissions and inspiring change into a reality. AVATAR Station, our solar-powered hub, is more than just a symbol of sustainable innovation; it is a beacon of empowerment for marginalized communities and the next generation through our Eco Heroes program. By combining education with action, we are equipping young people with the tools to effectively combat climate change.”

Annemarie Hou, Executive Director of the United Nations Office for Partnerships, says: “We need young talent, from fashion to engineering, to use their creativity to address the challenges of sustainable development. Through mentoring, industry connections and funding, these young people are turning obstacles into opportunities and driving real progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Through Creatives for Our Future, we are supporting the next generation of leaders.”