On November 15th and 16th, 2024, Young and Restless made a bold stride in its mission to empower youth, hosting its first-ever hackathon focused on environmental sustainability and climate change.
This event, held at Communitech in Kitchener’s Innovation District, brought together passionate young minds that were eager to tackle one of the most pressing challenges facing the local community—flooding in the Kitchener-Waterloo region.
As an organization, this hackathon wasn’t just an event; it was a full-circle moment for Young and Restless form winning the Youth Climate Action Fund. After receiving funding through Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Youth Climate Action Fund (YCAF) and the City of Kitchener, I wrote about how to we won this Funding: Winning the YCAF. The event underscored the vital role youth play in shaping the future, demonstrating that when given the chance, they can bring fresh perspectives to complex problems.
Innovating for Resilience
The case study we presented the participants was focused on Flooding: “High Waters, Higher Grounds.” Flooding is a growing concern in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, and the hackathon challenged participants to approach the issue through three lenses: mitigation, adaptation, and education. Over the course of two days, the teams brainstormed, collaborated, and developed innovative solutions to address these facets of the problem. It was great to see how they were passionately deliberating on how to address this issue in the best way possible.
The ideas that emerged were a testament to the creativity and determination of the participants. From designing community-based flood education programs to proposing advanced mitigation strategies and apps being created, the teams showed that as young people we are not only capable of addressing real-world issues but are also deeply passionate to step up when given the opportunity. My team and I felt the energy and ingenuity, it was palpable throughout the event, and honestly, sparked hope for a more resilient and sustainable future locally and globally.
Celebrating Young Innovators
The hackathon culminated in a celebratory showcase of ideas, where four teams were recognized for their exceptional contributions. Three teams earned the Young Eye Innovators Award, each walking away with $500 to celebrate, recognize and support their ideas. One team was honored with the $100 People’s Choice Award, voted on by their peers for their standout solution and presentation. The Young Eye Innovators Awards will always reflect more than just monetary recognition and this was core to us when we started this award earlier this year at our Sustainable Impact Summit in March.
The Heart of Young and Restless
Reflecting on the hackathon, it’s clear why Young and Restless exists: to create spaces where young people can learn, share, and connect. The hackathon brought together individuals united by their passion for climate action, fostering collaboration and networking opportunities that extended beyond the hackathon itself.
This is the essence of Young and Restless—to ignite a spark in youth by equipping them with platforms to express their ideas and contribute meaningfully to issues that matter to them. The hackathon was not just a challenge; it was a space for growth, discovery, and empowerment. I am excited to see how we continue this work and our efforts with this and continue to build a world that takes responsibility and believes in local action and global impact.
A Community Effort
The success of the event was made possible through the unwavering support of mentors, partners, and a dedicated team. Mentors like Jennifer Engels, Erin Hogan, Lily Viggiano, Anna Marie Cipriani, and Cristen Brown played pivotal roles, providing guidance and encouragement to the participants. We had key partners – City of Kitchener, GreenHouse, Conrad School of Entrepreneurship and Business, Climate Justice Ecosystem, SDG Impact Alliance, Auntie’s Kitchen, and the University of Waterloo offered invaluable resources and expertise from start to end!
The judges, including Mayor of City of Kitchener – Berry Vrbanovic, 4A Architectural engineering student Maham Dar, and Corporate Services Manager at City of Kitchener Anna Marie Cipriani, brought their wealth of experience to the table, ensuring that the participants’ efforts were met with thoughtful evaluation and recognition.
Behind the scenes, the dedicated Young and Restless team—Samantha Kremer, Justin Tsai, Savraj Sahota, Bilal Khawaja, Ayra Ali, Laiba Noaman, and Matthew Ignatius—worked tirelessly to bring the event to life. I could not have asked for a more dedicated team! Their passion for youth empowerment shone through in every aspect of the hackathons’ execution.
Looking Ahead
As the hackathon concluded, it left an undeniable sense of excitement for what’s to come. The hackathon has laid the groundwork for future initiatives, including the upcoming Sustainable Impact Summit in March 2025. The summit will build on the momentum of the hackathon, providing yet another platform for young innovators to tackle pressing global challenges and drive meaningful change.
The first Young and Restless hackathon was more than just a milestone for us but, a proof of concept. Continuously reminding ourselves that we can and have the capability to achieve things as long as we put our minds to it and plan accordingly.
As we move forward, the lessons and successes from this event will continue to inspire our efforts. Young and Restless remains committed to fostering spaces where youth can thrive, collaborate, and lead.
Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn to relive the hackathon and stay updated on future events. Together, we’re not just building solutions—we’re building a movement.
- Inspired Work In-Progress