Client’s Brief

In partnership with Sheraa and the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, ERGO was tasked with designing a 10-day ECO-Preneurship Bootcamp to inspire 150 young Arabs to create innovative, scalable solutions to combat climate change. The mission was clear: spark entrepreneurial thinking and empower youth to address climate challenges across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region with solutions that positively impact both people and the planet.

Approach and Deliverables

ERGO designed and led a 10-day immersive experience, empowering young changemakers to envision the future through human-centered design. Using the principles of design thinking, we guided participants through a structured process of problem-solving, creative ideation, and prototyping. The goal? Equip youth to explore the complex relationship between climate change and its societal impacts, while developing solutions that promote both environmental sustainability and social equity. Key highlights of the bootcamp included:

1. Exploring Climate Challenges through a Human Lens
   Participants dove into critical climate issues like food and water security, clean energy, and carbon reduction. But the focus wasn’t just on the environment. Each issue was examined from a people-first perspective, showing how climate change affects vulnerable populations the most. Workshops and expert sessions encouraged participants to design solutions that protect communities while safeguarding the planet. From air quality to biodiversity and carbon capture, participants learned how interconnected solutions can support both ecological health and societal wellbeing.



2. Fostering Creative Collaboration
   Participants were divided into 30 cross-functional teams, who were tasked with developing creative, tech-driven solutions that could be scaled across the MENA region. Teams were guided through a full design cycle, from empathy-based research to prototyping high potential solutions. The focus remained on humanity—creating solutions that address climate risks and provide tangible benefits for communities. Whether it was reducing emissions or designing renewable energy systems, the ideas generated were centered on long-term, positive change for both people and the planet.
3. Interactive Learning for Real-World Impact
   The bootcamp featured interactive sessions with industry leaders, sustainability experts, and environmental advocates. These sessions bridged the gap between theory and practice, empowering participants to turn their ideas into actionable solutions. By understanding the connections between climate challenges, participants were better equipped to create solutions that benefit society while protecting the environment. It was about more than just climate change—it was about fostering innovation that serves people and the planet simultaneously.

Impact

The bootcamp became a launchpad for innovation, with 30 diverse teams developing climate solutions ready for scaling across the region. Some standout projects included:

• Carbon credit systems designed to incentivize businesses to reduce emissions, benefiting both the environment and local economies.
• Sustainable energy initiatives that leverage region-specific resources, providing clean energy while improving quality of life for underserved communities.
• Biodiversity enhancement programs that restore ecosystems affected by urban expansion while creating jobs and supporting local livelihoods.

By focusing on human-centered design and environmental impact, the bootcamp achieved several key outcomes:

• Empowered Youth: Arab youth left equipped with the mindset and tools to become climate innovators, ready to lead with solutions that address both ecological and societal needs.
• Innovative Solutions: The bootcamp sparked a wave of creativity, with young entrepreneurs rethinking traditional approaches to climate challenges, ensuring that their solutions were not only advanced but also socially responsible.
• A Holistic Ecosystem Approach: By integrating expert insights, real-world data, and human-centered design, the bootcamp strengthened the innovation ecosystem, connecting youth with mentors and networks to help scale their ideas.

Final Thoughts

The ECO-Preneurship Bootcamp was far more than an educational program—it was a transformative experience for the young innovators who participated. ERGO’s approach, rooted in human-centered design and focused on the intersection of innovation, creativity, and social impact, empowered a new generation of Arab entrepreneurs to rise to the challenge of climate change with sustainable, scalable solutions.

For organizations like the Abdullah Al Ghurair Foundation, which are dedicated to supporting youth-led social change, the success of this bootcamp underscores the importance of creating spaces for young people to channel their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit into making a lasting impact. Through this initiative, participants are well on their way to becoming the changemakers who will shape a better future for both people and the planet.