Green Africa Youth Organization (GAYO), a Ghanaian sustainability startup, has won £1 million at this year’s Earthshot Prize event held in Cape Town South Africa.
GAYO is a youth-led organisation that aims to reduce greenhouse gases and particle pollution in Ghana by 70% through their “Zero Waste Model”, which drives behavioural change in waste management while generating community income.
Co-Founder of GAYO, Desmond Alugnoa said “Winning the prize is a testament to the power of community-driven solutions. Our sustainable waste management approach in Ghana proves local solutions can drive global impacts.”
GAYO was one of five winners this year. The other four were Keep IT Cool (KIC) – Kenya, Advanced Thermovoltaic Systems (ATS) – USA, High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, and Altyn Dala Conservation Initiative from Kazakhstan.
Alongside the monetary prize, all five winners and finalists gain a year-long support, mentorship, and access to the Earthshot Prize Fellowship Programme, bolstering their solutions through global partnerships and investment opportunities.
The five winners were chosen from 15 impressive finalists, and they are each expected to use the £1 million prize to expand and accelerate their impactful environmental solutions.
Prince William, who set up the Earthshot Prize in 2020 to help entrepreneurs develop their climate-friendly businesses, highlighted the purpose of the Earthshot Prize, saying “Our world can be rich in possibility, hope, and optimism. The Earthshot Prize champions the game-changers, inventors, makers, creatives, and leaders, helping them scale their innovations and inspiring the next generation to create the future we all need.”
Looking ahead, the Earthshot Prize opens nominations for the 2025 cohort, continuing its mission to spotlight and support the world’s most innovative environmental solutions.
