Ever felt like you're running out of time? Like you want to do a lot in your life, but you can't? Thinking you are too young to improve the environment in your community? Fortunately, these are only lies! Let me tell you how I started to believe in my capabilities. Today I want to share my experience as an alumni at Shabab Lab. Let me start by introducing them. 

Shabab Lab (lab for youth) is the first social innovation e-learning platform in the Arab world. This virtual innovation lab helped me develop 21st-century skills, guiding youth and me to evolve as entrepreneurs. Dr. Mona Itani is a social entrepreneur and a social activist. She established Riyada Innovation in 2017 and founded Shabab Lab last year. She intends to raise awareness of social problems.

"Web for change" program aims to let high school students learn environmental entrepreneurship. Even on a summer vacation, the program again launched, targeting a large audience. During that season, my team and I attempted to tackle an environmental problem. We could select and clearly define an environmental issue. We learned to create a web-app solution to alleviate that problem. All of that, while creating a business plan and pitching the business by the end of the program. I met like-minded friends who also took action and initiated new startups. 

Let's meet the winning teams. :)

1st: Trashion, the secret to sustainable fashion. It is an e-commerce that sells zero waste clothes. Different than other sustainable brands that use compostable materials. They use cloth scraps to make new crafty pieces. To encourage the customer, they reward those who have donated the scraps by giving them zero waste bags. Thus, Trashion aims to reduce plastic waste caused by toxic bags while making fashion sustainable.

2nd: Writoxy, a paper recycling center that sells recycled notebooks. Unlike other paper recycling centers that rely on machines, Writoxy collects paper waste from schools and transforms them into notebooks at home. This team of ambitious entrepreneurs aims to expand their products. They also donate part s of their profit to reforestation initiatives. Make sure to follow us on Instagram!

3rd: RYAN-Green, a web guide that helps business holders go green by using several easy affordable techniques. Unlike other informative websites, RYAN-Green uses a simple, short, and entertaining approach to help to build a green business. You better follow them and support them through their journey!

To conclude, Arab youth is on its way to attaining environmental sustainability. Thankfully, initiatives like Shabab Lab and Riyada Innovation provide youngsters with this skill set. 

A few links:

https://instagram.com/shabablab.com

https://instagram.com/writoxy.lb

https://instagram.com/ryangreen.lb

Sources:

https://shabablab.com

https://riyadainnovation.com

https://www.instagram.com/p/CU5fa0moC1j/