The Lens
Meet QS ImpACT’s
Eco-Champion of the Year
Joy Ifeanyi's project transforms waste into educational opportunities.
The winner of 'Eco-Champion of the Year' is Joy Ifeanyi from Nigeria. Her project 'Waste to Desks' addresses the critical issue of insufficient school desks in underserved schools through an innovative waste recycling model.
The absence of proper seating not only inflicts physical discomfort but severely impedes students' educational experiences and aspirations. Learning on the floor not only affects focus and engagement in lessons, but also creates barriers to academic success, impacting self-esteem among children and youth.
Beyond the classroom, there is a broader environmental challenge prevalent in communities like Agbado where Joy teaches as an educator. A massive dump site pollutes the environment and blocks the drainage, affecting access to the school. Witnessing these challenges, 'Waste to Desks' not only strives to provide quality education, but also aligns with Sustainable Development Goal 13 by taking climate action.
Students actively collect recyclables from the community, exchange them for funds, and utilise those funds to solve the problem in the classroom: the construction of school desks. This goes beyond providing physical comfort; it instils practical skills, fosters environmental responsibility and improves academic outcomes. The project exemplifies sustainable, community-driven solutions and aligns with various SDGs.
The impact is not confined to desk provision; it transforms communities by addressing waste management issues, enhancing infrastructure and empowering students with practical skills and knowledge of the SDGs. The initiative also imparts carpentry, woodworking, recycling and community engagement skills, emphasising environmental responsibility through sustainable practices.
So far, the project has provided school desks for over 100 students, lifting them from the floor while solving environmental issues, showcasing direct impact. However, its indirect and collective impacts are more profound, enhancing learning environments, instilling pride and fostering community ownership. Project Waste to Desks becomes more than a solution; it evolves into a catalyst for holistic community development, aligning with multiple Sustainable Development Goals and fostering a brighter future for students in underserved schools and communities.
QS ImpACT is a UNEP accredited global charity registered in the UK and Wales. Our global community of young leaders grow and earn recognition for their positive impact on society. We connect universities, organisations and communities worldwide to develop young talent to lead through impact for a regenerative future. We recognise young people with Certificates, Badges, Scholarships and Awards. Last year, we impacted over 112,000 people across 87 countries with over 2,100 community members and 50 Youth Ambassadors.
The culmination of the 2023 calendar year at QS ImpACT was marked by the prestigious QS ImpACT Awards, serving as our organisation's flagship event. The overarching theme and mission of the awards were centred around the celebration of global regeneration.
It featured influential speeches and engaging discussions, showcasing the participation of distinguished leaders from the United Nations, Forbes 30 Under 30 and renowned global universities. A remarkable lineup of over 15 speakers and 16 judges contributed to the event's success, adding depth and value to the mission. The primary objective of the awards was to acknowledge and honour exceptional youth leaders spanning the globe, recognising their remarkable contributions to community regeneration and transformation. After a rigorous evaluation, 45 finalists emerged from 18 different countries, with 8 emerging as winners.
Critical to the success of the event were the collaborative efforts with 15 impact partners, who played a pivotal role in supporting and enriching the journey towards creating a truly impactful and successful awards ceremony. The QS ImpACT Awards not only celebrated individual achievements but also fostered a collective spirit of regeneration.