EE 30 Under 30

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EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 Call for Nominations

EE 30 Under 30 recognizes young people across the globe who are building a sustainable future through education. Nominate yourself or someone you know today!


Young people around the world are creating lasting change for both people and the planet. NAAEE’s EE 30 Under 30 shines the spotlight on these changemakers who demonstrate passion, commitment, and leadership using environmental education. The EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2025 will receive global recognition, join a growing community of inspiring EE leaders, and have access to ongoing opportunities for professional development and networking. 

Environmental education (EE) and leadership show up in many different forms! We aim to recognize leaders with a wide range of backgrounds who are bringing new constituencies and insights reaching various audiences and bringing different a diversity ofperspectives to EE. We highly encourage nominees from across sectors and disciplines to apply. We welcome nominees who are: 

  • Working at any scale: local, national, regional, or global, in rural or urban contexts, just to name a few!
  • In any position or role: community organizer, director, consultant, artist, teacher, and much more.
  • Using education in any context: in schools, businesses, communities, church groups, networks, government, the media—you name it!

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A young leader surrounded by students posing for a group photo

Register for the Applicant Webinar

Register for our 2025 Applicant Webinar to learn more about the program and get some tips for writing a strong nomination! This webinar will be held April 9 at 10:00 AM U.S. ET  (time converter here)

Preview the application: Downloadable versions of the application can be accessed below for your personal use (Note: you must submit your application through Submittable to be considered for this award):
Eligibility
  • Nominees must be 30 years old or younger (as of May 12, 2025). If you are over 30, you can still nominate someone else!
  • Nominees can come from anywhere in the world.
  • Nominations must be in English, but your nomination will not be judged based on your English language ability.
  • Nominees must be using EE to address sustainability issues, build a more resilient environmental movement, and/or create healthier and more civically engaged communities. Read more about key elements of EE here.
  • Nominees must demonstrate some leadership in EE, but you do not need to be in a leadership position to demonstrate leadership! This can include (but is not limited to!) inspiring others to take action towards a shared vision, listening to and taking action for the needs of your community, innovating in the face of challenges, welcoming everyone to participate and engage, and much more.
  • Video requirement: All nominees need to submit a short introduction video (90 seconds max) and provide a letter of support. Please take a close look at the application, whether you are nominating yourself or someone else, to understand these requirements.

Please direct any questions to ee30u30@naaee.org.

About EE 30 Under 30

Since 2016, NAAEE's EE 30 Under 30 program has recognized 271 individuals from 53 countries who are making a difference through environmental education. To address today’s complex challenges, we need a wide range of perspectives, skills, and experiences. EE 30 Under 30 celebrates the unique and passionate leadership of talented young leaders around the world and gives them a professional boost to increase their impact. Each year our awardees join a growing alumni network of inspiring environmental education leaders and receive ongoing opportunities to network, grow professionally, and promote their work. This program is made possible by the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP).

Questions? Reach out to ee30u30@naaee.org 

World map showing the countries represented by 30 Under 30 Awardees

Map depicting the countries represented by the EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2024

Learn about last year's EE 30 Under 30 Awardees (featured below) and the over 200 additional alumni around the world are working towards creating an equitable and sustainable future! Meet EE 30 Under 30 Alumni 

Since 2020, we have been proud to be able to provide financial support to several EE 30 Under 30 alumni through the Changemaker Grants program, enabling them to bring new transformative ideas to life and sustain their ongoing work. Learn more about the program

Additional Resources

EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2024

Samintang

Samintang (she/her)

Executive Director of Climate Catalysts; Project Lead and Curriculum Specialist of Young Eco-Stars Programme; The Task Force Member of the SDGs Center for Eastern Indonesia

Samintang is an award-winning Action for Climate Environment (ACE) activist from Indonesia who champions women's rights and climate activism through grassroots initiatives, fostering youth leadership, and driving sustainable change both locally and globally.

Indonesia, 23

Katarina Zvarikova

Katarína Zvaríková (she/her)

COO and Project Manager in Slovak Eco Quality

Katarina uses her passion for education to playfully guide people towards reconnecting the environment with their inner selves and stepping towards sustainable choices.

Slovakia, Age 30

Zuhura Ahmad

Zuhura Ahmad (she/her)

Head of Programs, The Women in Recycling Foundation

Zuhura Ahmad empowers youth and women leaders to drive innovative environmental solutions and promote sustainable practices through education, advocacy, and community engagement.

Tanzania, 25

Ajay Sawant

Ajay Sawant (he/him)

President at ThinkOcean Society

Ajay is an ocean-climate communicator passionate about translating earth sciences into solutions-driven models to make accurate information more accessible.

India, 22

Kristine Belashvili

Kristine Belashvili (she/her)

Graduate Student, Environmental Management and Policy

Kristine is inspiring people to protect biodiversity while connecting them to the natural world. 

Georgia, Age 29

Birndze Bete Dzekewong

Birndze Bete Dzekewong

Founder and Managing Direct. Green Space Academy

Birndze is the founder of Green Space Academy, a youth-led climate initiative that bridges the gap between climate knowledge and action by engaging, equipping, and inspiring the next generation of African climate leaders.

Cameroon, 30 

Amy Bray

Amy Bray (she/her)

Founder and CEO, Another Way

Amy is a science communicator inspiring people to take climate and nature action through her charity Another Way.

United Kingdom, Age 21

Greta Delfino

Greta Delfino (she/her)

Advisory Manager, Business in the Community Northern Ireland

Greta is a responsible business advisor who guides organisations to implement sustainability initiatives.

United Kingdom, 25

Luke Ehler

Luke Ehler (he/him)

Canadian Conservation Corps Flex Program Manager

Luke is a Canadian environmental educator with a passion for empowering others to succeed, building connections, and creating opportunities to take action. 

Canada, 30

Favour Eragbie

Favour Eragbie Ochuwa (she/her)

Founder, Friends of Nature Network

Favour empowers and equips young people in Africa with the knowledge and skills to develop cutting edge climate solutions through climate education, climate justice and youth development.

Nigeria, 23

Jiapsi Gomez

Jiapsi Gomez

Founding Member - Tierras Indigenas CLT & Educator- POC Fungi Community

Jiapsi is a passionate ecologist, environmentalist, artist, and committed community member whose goal is to leave the world in a better condition for the next generations.

United States, 25

CJ Greco

CJ Greco (they/she)

Teen Programs Manager at Lincoln Park Zoo

CJ (they/she) is a nonbinary transwoman, activist, and naturalist who has been connecting their communities with nature for most of their life.

United States, 28

Martin Griffin

Martin Griffin (he/him)

Coordinator, School of Climate Leaders

Martin is the coordinator of the School of Climate Leaders, a space aimed at empowering and training young leaders in environmental and climate issues, and promoting the creation of projects that tackle the climate crisis.

Argentina, Age 29

Margaret Impraim

Margaret Impraim (she/her)

Assistant Global Coordinator, Youth Climate Council Global Alliance.

Margaret is a climate advocate who uses her experience with youth-government engagements to inspire youth and women to use and own their voices in decision making.

Ghana, 30 

Luke Gibbons

Luke James Gibbons (he/him)

PhD Candidate and Irish Research Council Scholar at Trinity College Dublin

Luke James Gibbons is a PhD Candidate and Irish Research Council Scholar at Trinity College Dublin and a Former Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Law School researching Climate Risks committed to creating a sustainable and equitable future. 

Ireland, 27

KHOU JEROME

KHOU JEROME

Cofounder Green Educators

Jerome cofounded Green Educators’ Workgroup Penang, making ESD possible through partnership, empowerment, and collaboration.

Malaysia, 28

kier blake

kier blake

Co-founder at Start:Empowerment, Climate x Education Policy Expert at Next100

kier disrupts the status quo with justice-centered education in New York City (NYC) schools, advocating for interdisciplinary policies to build regenerative, equitable futures statewide and nationally.

United States 

Rachael Lewandowski Sarette

Rachael Lewandowski-Sarette (she/her)

On-Site and Accessibility Coordinator, Upham Woods Outdoor Learning Center

Rachael is an environmental educator working to make the outdoors more accessible for all so that all students can learn and build community in the outdoors.

United States, Age 29

Hao Liou

Holly (Hao) Liou (she/her)

Social entrepreneur / Co-Founder, Baked Tipsy

Holly is a social entrepreneur and sustainability consultant dedicated to harnessing the power of business for the good of the planet. 

Taiwan/Indonesia, 24

Mmachukwu Obimdike

Mmachukwu Loretta Obimdike (She/Her)

DAAD Scholar | Award-Winning Environmental Educator | ISA Fellow | Founder, Green Environment and Climate Change Initiative

Mmachukwu is a dedicated environmental educator leading impactful initiatives that promote  environmental conservation and sustainability through innovative educational programs and hands-on-projects.

Germany/Nigeria, 30

Robert Cahapon

Robert Mansaloon Cahapon (he/him)

Robert is an Indigenous forester, permaculturist, and visual storyteller leading community-based actions for forest conservation. 

Philippines, 30

 Nuria Mohamed

Nuria Mohamed Salim (she/her)

Project Coordinator, Watoto Go Green Organization

Nuria is a passionate youth advocate who believes in the power of creative advocacy for climate action. She supports vulnerable children in her community to connect and learn for their environment through fun educational programs and hands-on learning activities.

Kenya, Age 29

Richard Muraya

Richard Muraya (he/him)

Executive Director & Citizen Science Lead at The Demography Project

Richard designs and deploys accessible, affordable, and age-appropriate climate citizen-science tools for responsible freshwater & air quality management in Eastern Africa. 

Kenya, 28

Thanh Nguyen

Thanh Nga Nguyen (she/her)

Project manager - WildAct Vietnam

Thanh Nga inspires love for nature by connecting young people and local communities to participate in environmental protection.

Vietnam, 26 

Sonya Peres

Sonya Peres (she/her)

Senior Project Manager - Education (programmes) at Students Organising for Sustainability

Sonya is bringing together students, educators, and trade unions to decolonize, decarbonize, and democratize education for climate justice. 

United Kingdom (Scotland), 29 

Cristina Poggio

Cristina Poggio (she/her)

Environmental Education and Communications Coordinator, SOA Guatemala

Cristina encourages a commitment to marine life conservation, empowering youth to engage in sustainable practices while amplifying local wildlife stories for a brighter future.

Guatemala, Age 21

Sol Reiman

Sol Reiman (she/her)

Co-General Director, Ahora Qué?

Sol amplifies the voices of Latin American youth in climate change decision-making processes.

Argentina, 25

Sharan V

Sharan V

Founding Director, Rhopalocera and Odonata Association of Rajapalayam

Sharan advocates for smaller animals, particularly insects, by raising awareness and promoting public outreach through citizen science.

India, 30

Alvian Wardhana

Alvian Wardhana (he/him)

Founder and CEO Literasi Anak Banua

Alvian is a founder of Literasi Anak Banua, which focuses on improving the well-being of Indigenous people in Borneo through environmental education.

Indonesia, Age 22

Dajawn Williams

Dajawn Williams (he/him)

Environmental Educator/Conservationist + Sustainability Specialist

Dajawn Williams is an environmental scientist whose skills and passion for the natural world underscore his commitment to bridging the gap between community, nature, and service.

United States, 28