Climate Justice Idea Competition 2025

On 23 August 2025, the Daily Star Centre hosted the grand finale of the 4th season of the Climate Justice Idea Competition 2025. The event brought together young innovators, mentors, judges, and partners for a day of urgent conversation and practical hope. The competition was organised by ActionAid Bangladesh and The Daily Star with their civic allies; the finale turned the centre into a busy lab of ideas aimed at protecting people and places most affected by climate impacts.

From 271 submissions across three categories, Green Business, Water Rights, and Energy Transition, there were nine teams chosen to present their final pitches. Before the finale, each team joined a grooming session where nine mentors offered guidance, helping groups sharpen their plans and strengthen their presentations.

The Daily Star assumed the role of a social doctor, diagnosing problems, pointing to cures, and bringing people, businesses, and policymakers together for action. In previous years, winners of the Green Business and Circular Economy categories have proven their ability to turn ideas into market-ready products that generate income and address local challenges. However, winners in the Energy Transition category still require stronger policy support, improved financing options, and greater market readiness. The Daily Star remains committed to supporting them by showcasing promising projects to both the private and public sectors.

More than a contest, the finale was a meeting ground where critique met care and urgency met support. Adjudicators raised probing questions, and teams answered with honesty and spirit, showing the real learning that comes when young people are trusted to act. The nine finalists on stage represent many more across the country: students, entrepreneurs, and community members who refuse to accept the status quo and keep working for safer homes, secure water, and sustainable livelihoods.

As the day closed, the mood was not one of endings but of beginnings. The Daily Star will continue to amplify these ideas through reporting, policy conversations, and multimedia work to help link innovators with mentors, funders, and decision-makers. If today proved anything, it is that with guidance and persistence, local ideas can grow into real answers for climate justice and a safer future for our communities.

Farah Kabir
Country Director, ActionAid Bangladesh 

Bangladesh is at the forefront of climate change, experiencing its most severe effects. Addressing this crisis requires more than funds, as it demands ideas, policies, and decisive action. Sadly, government processes are slow, and global corporate sectors remain fossil fuel dependent, making change difficult. Through this initiative, we are already creating a data bank of innovative solutions for both the private and public sectors. During our recent visit to Satkhira, we found a severe water crisis where families pay Tk 300–600 for unsafe water, and women often drink only after everyone else. The youth's ideas give us hope. We may not have brought about the change Bangladesh needs, but we are here to support you, combining intergenerational learning with your innovation.

Mahfuz Anam
Editor & Publisher, 
The Daily Star

The future of the nation, whether seen through the lens of sustainability or prosperity, depends on innovation. Climate change remains a major challenge, yet even without it, the country faces structural issues such as population pressure, limited resources, and systemic inefficiencies. The recurrence of preventable crises reflects a lack of fresh approaches and effective solutions. In this context, youth-led ideas offer a pathway to progress. With hundreds of concepts presented, even a few successful ones have the potential to create significant change. The media has an important role to play in amplifying these solutions through reporting, policy discussions, and multimedia initiatives, ensuring that innovative thinking shapes the direction of national development.