Partnering with One Young World for a second consecutive year as a sponsor of Lead2030, global packaging and paper manufacturer Mondi has awarded $50,000 to Genecis Bioindustries, a Canadian start-up that produces compostable plastic from food waste.
Lead2030 was launched by One Young World, the global forum for young leaders, in November 2018 to support youth-led innovation to contribute to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The 17 Sustainable Development Goals were agreed upon by 193 countries in 2015. They represent an ambitious to-do list to create a sustainable future by 2030. However, as United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres has pointed out, “funding gaps for SDG investments are vast and urgent. We must unlock the large levels of financing necessary to implement the 2030 Agenda.”
Lead2030 aims to find, fund and accelerate solutions proposed by young innovators for each of the global goals and enable them to scale and accelerate their impact. This year’s Lead2030 Challenges sourced 2,200+ SDG solutions from more than 140 countries.
Lead2030 is supported by a number of global brands, called Challenge Partners, each of whom has committed to funding and mentoring a youth-led initiative, business or movement that is making a tangible impact on a selected Sustainable Development Goal.
As a challenge partner for Lead2030, Mondi has chosen to support the achievement of the SDG12 - responsible production and consumption - with the ultimate aim of turning packaging waste into raw materials of inherent value.
“We are convinced that collaboration is the key to achieving the SDGs and with Genecis as this year’s winner, we have a perfect example of young innovators working to solve global challenges that no one business or sector can achieve on their own,” explains Gladys Naylor, Mondi Group Head of Sustainable Development.
Next to $50,000, Genecis Bioindustries, can also look forward to 12 months of corporate mentorship focused on business development, marketing/communications support as well as technical mentorship on the potential market applications of PHA polymers in packaging.
“Lead2030 will be a fantastic platform from which we can accelerate our technology and inspire an entire generation of young people to solve challenging problems,” said Luna Yu, Founder of Genecis Bioindustries.