Believing in the importance of building green skills among youth, the European Union, together with Dilmah Tea and the Dilmah Genesis Centre for A Sustainable Future, organised the Sustain-Able Climate Action Challenge. Spanning eight weeks, the competition brought together undergraduate students from top institutions across Sri Lanka to drive innovation for a plastic-free world.
Finalists of the Climate Action Challenge
Six finalists competed in the grand finale, where they presented their innovative solutions to potential investors and well-wishers. EcoSort, from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, won the competition with their ‘smart dustbin’ for waste segregation.
MiswaLanka from the Wayamba University became the 1st Runner up for their biodegradable natural toothbrush. CollectorLK from the University of Peradeniya became the 2ndRunner up for their waste management mobile application. Other notable entries included a Styrofoam alternative for product packaging (by team CompoCell), eco-friendly floor mats made from discarded shoes (by team SoloCycle), and sustainable clothes hangers made from cashew shells (by team Eco Harvest).
Head of Cooperation at the EU Delegation to Sri Lanka and the Maldives Dr. Johann Hesse commended the participants for taking action against environmental problems and said that they are an inspiration to others. The “Sustain-able” Challenge not only celebrated innovation, but also emphasized the obligation to harness young talent for positive change, as highlighted by Chairman of Dilmah Tea Dilhan C. Fernando.
Selected participants throughout the competition received coaching and mentoring, gaining technical expertise and soft skills to transform their innovations from concepts or basic prototypes into marketable products and services. Participants were guided by experts including Hasanka Paddukka, social entrepreneur and co-founder of Thuru, Roshan Salinda, Deputy Chief of Party of USAID Ocean Plastics Reduction Activity, and Shenali De Silva, Program Manager at Orbit Startups.
The competition was part of the European Union’s “Let’s Go Green” campaign which aimed to raise awareness and advocate for responsible green behaviour, focusing on plastic usage, waste reduction and energy conservation among Sri Lanka’s youth, consumers and businesses. In the spirit of encouraging youth participation in green initiatives, the campaign included a series of competitions and challenges for school and university students to think, discuss and innovate green solutions.
