
- Date: March 30, 2025
The Statement of Executive Director of UN-Habitat Anacláudia Rossbach on the International Day of Zero Waste 2025
- 2 min read
#YouthSolutions #BeatWastePollution #ZeroWasteDay
Engaging urban youth in sustainable fashion is key to promoting eco-conscious choices. As trendsetters, young people influence market demands, making their involvement crucial. Schools, universities, and community programs can educate them on ethical sourcing, upcycling, and waste reduction.
Youth involvement fosters innovation in sustainable fashion and entrepreneurship. Many are exploring biodegradable fabrics, digital fashion, and local production. Cities can support them through funding, mentorship, and integrating sustainability into fashion education.
To achieve zero waste in fashion and textiles, we need systemic change, including reducing overproduction, sourcing responsibly, and embracing ethical manufacturing. Likewise, extending the life of textiles through reuse, repair, and recycling, along with improving recycling technologies and infrastructure, is crucial to minimizing waste and recovering valuable resources.
Find us @unhabitatyouth online on:
#BeatWastePollution #ZeroWasteDay
Eligibility Criteria
All ages up to 24;
If you are less than 18 years old, please provide the contact details of a guardian.
Submission Process
Please use this link to sign-up for the challenge;
Familiarize yourself with the health benefits of public space and Minecraft;
The challenge starts from April 1st;
Submissions will be accepted from May 15th until May 31st.
Submission Requirement
Your submission must include:
A compressed Minecraft world file (max 500mb);
A short description of how your idea is making public spaces healthier and more enjoyable for you(th) (max 400 words/all languages).
Project Criteria
Our judges are seeking for ideas that are: innovative, transformative, inclusive;
The submission that excels in all criteria will win the grand prize.
Judging Process
First round: 10-15 submissions will be selected;
Second round: The selected submissions will pitch their projects to the judges.
Prizes
The main prize is $5,000 towards implementation of the winning solution.
Terms and Conditions
By participating in the challenge you grant UN-Habitat that the images and/or filmed footage can be used on UN-Habitats & UN-Habitats Youth social media accounts, brand merchandise, website, and can be shared with press media outlets. From time to time, materials may also be used by its partners.
Still have questions left? Contact us via unhabitat-urbanhealth@un.org.