Monrovia– Five young Liberian entrepreneurs showcased their creative innovations made from recycled materials in the courtyard of the European Union Delegation. This event marked the exciting conclusion of the “Rise and Recycle” Youth Innovation Challenge organized by the EU.
By Jaheim T. [email protected]
The competition, launched in June, brought young people from across the country to develop practical ideas for recycling and managing waste. In the finale, five finalists presented their projects, with three winners receiving valuable internships with EU partners environment organizations that will begin in January with a Samsung A9 smartphones, and certificate.
Accordingly, the EU Youth-Led Innovation Showcase: Rise & Recycle 2025, a dynamic three-stage competition designed to empower young environmental innovators. This initiative inspired and equipped youth to transform waste into innovative, sustainable solutions that advance the principles of the circular economy. Participants demonstrated creativity, sustainability, eloquence, authenticity and passion as they present real-world recycling projects with tangible impact.
The five contestants who had the most innovative projects and strongest audience support advanced to the final round. The finalists developed a second, more advanced piece of their original concept to demonstrate growth, increased impact, or new inspiration.
The finalists presented their works to a panel of expert judges comprising EU representatives, environmental professionals, youth leaders, and sustainability innovators.
The standout of the day was Archie Forpoh, the founder of Ignite EcoGear, who won the top prize for his amazing water-resistant solar backpack. This innovative product will also secure him a coveted internship with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aimed at fostering future climate leaders in Liberia.
Forpoh’s backpack is not only durable but also features solar panels that can charge phones and small gadgets. He created it using recycled plastic and upcycled materials, addressing both sustainability and the everyday challenges faced by students and workers in Liberia who often struggle to find reliable electricity.
Reflecting on his inspiration, Forpoh shared, “Growing up in a community filled with waste, I saw how plastic blocked our drains every rainy season. I thought, why can’t we turn this waste into something useful? This backpack shows that innovation is possible right here in Liberia, even using things we typically throw away.”
He emphasized that the solar feature is designed to help students stay connected and complete their assignments, saying, “This bag gives them power—both literally and metaphorically.”
Judges were impressed by Forpoh’s clear concept and the practical application of his design.
The EU which funded the competition, viewed this showcase as a significant step forward for Liberia’s youth to tackle environmental issues. In delivering the overview, EU head for Political Press Zoltan Szalai said the initiative was conceptualized with a single vision: to inspire young people — and through them, future generations — to transform waste into opportunity.
“This is the last day, the grand finale of this event,” Szalai told participants. “Today is a culmination of months of work, especially from your side.”
Szalai stressed that Liberia continues to face major challenges in waste management, making the project’s outcomes even more critical.
“We all know that in this country, we are lacking a proper waste management system,” he said. “But even in places where the systems exist, it is important that we reuse waste in creative ways.”
According to Szalai, the young finalists demonstrated not only technical competence, but also “leadership and responsibility — qualities essential for sustainable development.”
The EU official noted that five finalists were selected to showcase their ideas, each offering a clear example of how youth-driven innovation can move Liberia closer to a cleaner future.
“Sustainable development is not abstract,” he emphasized. “It’s creative and achievable when young people are empowered to lead it.”
Szalai expressed gratitude for the collaboration that made the project possible, acknowledging the UNDP, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Evergreen Recycling Institute, civil society organizations, and member states of the European Union for their active support.
“We are quite honored that we can support this endeavor,” he said. “You are sending a clear message that Liberia’s future is brighter, cleaner, when young people are leading the way.”
Making a brief remark, UNDP Representative, Abrahim Tomey warned that plastic pollution is no longer just an environmental nuisance—it is now a major threat to human health, climate resilience, and national development.
“This is not just a slogan. I think it’s a movement,” Tomey declared, pointing to the piles of waste that line the shoreline only a few meters away from the event venue. “You don’t need to go any further to see the challenges that waste poses to the development of Liberia.”
Tomey described plastic waste as a silent but rapidly escalating danger. “A bottle like this, thrown in the dump site, will take hundreds of years,” he said, lifting one of the items highlighted during the competition. “You can imagine the impact it will have on drinking water. You can imagine the impact it will have on our sewage system.”
According to him, Liberia cannot rely solely on existing institutions—no matter how committed—if the country is to solve the plastic menace. “Evergreen Recycling Institute, Green Cities, and all of the other organizations cannot do it alone,” he emphasized. “A movement driven by young people can create that change that will make Liberia plastic-free.”
The UNDP representative noted that plastic waste already sits at the heart of Liberia’s national climate commitments under NDC 3.0, covering both mitigation and adaptation efforts. He said the competition should spark “new thinking, new innovation that will drive change,” giving rise to entrepreneurs who view plastic not as garbage but as economic opportunity.
“So that as we see plastic, we see wealth,” he said. “As we see plastic, we see opportunity to address poverty. We see plastic, we see opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”
Tomey called on participants—whether winners or not—to leave the event with renewed resolve. “We may not come first, second, or third, but whatever the outcome is, we challenge you to move forward and be the next greatest innovator in the world just for plastic waste.”
He praised the European Union for driving what he described as a forward-thinking partnership, and assured that the UNDP is ready to welcome and support the selected intern emerging from the competition.
“You can trust that our support… will work with that intern to help make sure they continue what they have started, share all of our resources, and help inspire them,” he said. “Collectively, we can all drive change across Liberia.”
Daniela Webber from Germany pointed out that recycling needs to become a daily habit rather than a one-time effort. She stated, “These young innovators are showing what’s possible, but communities must change how they think about waste.”
Webber explained that fostering a sense of environmental responsibility from a young age is crucial, saying, “If youth learn about recycling today, it will benefit Liberia for years to come.”
Evergreen Recycling, one of Liberia’s leading recycling companies, also shared its progress in converting plastic waste into usable fuel. A representative noted, “We view plastic not as trash but as a valuable resource. What these young people have created demonstrates that Liberia is moving towards greater environmental awareness.”
In addition to Forpoh’s victory, two other finalists received recognition: 2nd Place: Anita Zenneh, for her stylish recycled fashion backpack made entirely from reused materials, earned an internship with the EU Delegation, while Nelson Kialen with Eco-Utility functional design block earned him an internship with the Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA).
In a interview with FrontPageAfrica, Kialen expressed how proud he and his team are to have achieved third place in their project. He stated, “This recognition shows the effort we put into our work and encourages us to keep improving. It provides a solid base for future growth.”
Kialen also mentioned that the internship offers a valuable chance for hands-on experience and learning. He believes it will help him grow personally, as well as benefit his school, as he can share the practical knowledge and new ideas he gains.
He suggested that ongoing mentorship for participants, opportunities for follow-up after the internship, and awareness campaigns in the region would help to extend the positive impact of such programs.
In earlier remarks, EU Ambassador Nona Deprez, captured the spirit of the initiative: “The Rise and Recycle Competition is more than just a contest. It is a movement. We celebrate the creativity and dedication of young participants who are driving tangible change in our communities.”
This event showcased the talent and creativity of Liberia’s youth, highlighting the potential for a greener future through innovation and sustainability.
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