On arriving in Casias, Portugal, I was overwhelmed with the amount of representatives from around the world. Many flying 15-30 hours to come to this event. As groups, we came together to create projects and ventures which could make money whilst having a core focus on dealing with the UN SDGs.

My team decided to create project which would take containerised pyrolysis (the process of breaking down waste into reclaimed fuel) which would be positioned in locations where fishers were no longer able to fish owing to the plastic and waste degradation to their water table. The project would allow fishers to fish for plastic which we would buy from them for the price of the fish they would normally fish for. This would then be taken and turned into oil which would be sold to power local communities and to private companies. The profits would then be used to turn areas into conservation areas with sea bins to allow for the fisheries to be restored. Education would then be used to get woman into fishing and safe fishing practices.

We were one of 30 projects created that day by an array of intelligent and expert individuals who came together to create sustainable projects. This was a great way to use my experiences in Enactus as our whole goal aligns with the work which was being done at this conference. Using empathy mapping and needs assessments, we were able to enhance our understanding of which communities this could work for and what a project like this could do for them.

These projects were then presented in a competition-like structure where the last team would receive £15,000 to get the idea to implementation. What was super exciting was that this year the final VIP judges awarded £30,000 over two projects, incubated them into NOVA business school and provided scholarships to their master’s program. This gave winning individuals the chance to make these projects a reality and drive actual change.

As part of the event, we heard from some amazing speakers including:

• Ms Nadia Ahmed, Chief Administrative Secretary and Youngest Deputy Minister of Innovation and Youth Affairs in Kenya discussing her role in helping youth to develop projects and make meaningful change at a government level.
• Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of Portugal discussing Portugal’s involvement in making the ocean goals a reality and the amazing work Portugal is already doing to conserve its fisheries and move towards a sustainable country.
• António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations talking about the need for youth to be involved in the conversations as the bearers of the climate crises and the push forwards we need to see to make the work of the United Nations even more effective.
• Daniela Fernandez, CEO of Sustainable Ocean Alliance, discussing the work they do at SOA, her journey as a young individual wanting to make a change, and the amazing work they are doing internationally.
• and of course… Jason Mamoa, Aquaman, the United Nations newest climate activist for the oceans discussing his work and involvement in lobbying for the oceans and working to sustain them.

The event was an amazing experience and really allowed us to meet so many likeminded individuals who have a common goal of making the world a better place. Youth representation is not only wanted it; is needed. The youth of this generation are working on an international and local level to make change and through the work we do at Enactus, and what I have seen at King’s College London, the youth of today are more than capable to take on the challenge and in most cases are already fighting.

I hope to see many more implementations of youth involvement to really push forward the goals and here from those making a difference and the generation who will have to deal with this crises owing to a history of neglect.

The fight had already begun, but it is up to the next generation of change makers, innovators, entrepreneurs, and activists to make the change.