22 July 2026

Four outstanding student-led projects from across the U21 network have been awarded US $2,000 in seed funding through the 2026 U21 RISE (Real Impact on Society and Environment) Awards, recognising innovative ideas that are already making a difference within their university, for people in their communities and wider society. 

Since launching in 2019, the U21 RISE Awards have showcased the ingenuity of students developing practical solutions to some of society’s most pressing global challenges. From improving healthcare access and advancing environmental sustainability to strengthening communities through social innovation, the awards help accelerate the scale and impact of student-led projects, supporting student innovation and nurturing the next generation of sustainability leaders.  

Selected from an impressive range of projects, the winning teams demonstrated the power of student innovation to drive meaningful change on a local and global level. Three awards were selected by an international panel of judges from across the network, while the People’s Choice for Innovation award, introduced this year, attracted more than 6,000 public votes.

“The quality of this year’s entries was exceptional. The projects showcased not only innovative ideas with the potential to create real impact, but also the creativity, resilience and collaborative leadership that are increasingly important for graduates tackling complex global challenges. It was a privilege to be part of the judging process.” Reshmee Gunesh, Co-chair of U21 Employability group and Associate Director, Student Enrichment and Employability (University of Melbourne).

Most Impact

The award for the most impact went to the GELORA team at Universitas Gadjah Mada, a student group that has created an eco-friendly, portable household incinerator. Their innovation uses a closed combustion system and activated carbon filtration to burn domestic waste safely without emitting harmful pollutants.

We are honoured that Gelora has been named winner of the “Most Impact” Award in the U21 RISE competition. Developed by five students from UGM, Gelora is a portable household incinerator, with active carbon filtration, and real-time monitoring emissions, a practical response to Indonesia’s growing domestic waste challenge. This recognition, and the accompanying seed funding, will help us expand the impact of our project, refine the product for durability and safety, and explore partnerships for community-scale production. Our goal is clear: accessible, sustainable waste management within reach of every household.

-GELORA Project Team, Universitas Gadjah Mada

Most Collaborative

The project recognised for its collaborative approach was La Raíz from UC Chile, a student-led initiative promoting sustainability education and action. Through eight projects supporting advocacy, campus sustainability and community engagement, the initiative has trained more than 100 “Agents of Change” to lead and support sustainability efforts within their own communities.

Receiving the Most Collaborative Award from U21 RISE 2026 is a profound honor for La Raíz’s team. This recognition represents the collective effort of students and communities who believe in collaboration as a driving force for change toward a more sustainable future. We thank U21 for trusting in our initiative and recognizing the impact of our joint efforts. This support will allow us to take the next step: bringing sustainable development and environmental education tools to children in rural areas of south-central Chile, expanding La Raíz’s reach and developing skills that will endure in these communities.

– La Raíz Project Team, UC Chile

Most Potential

The award recognised by the judging panel for having the most potential, was Potastic from the University of Birmingham, a student-led social enterprise developing biodegradable mailers made from surplus potatoes. By transforming food waste into a sustainable alternative to single-use plastic packaging, the project demonstrates the potential for student innovation to address pressing environmental challenges while supporting a more circular economy.

Currently in the research and development phase, the project can now move forward with further testing using the appropriate equipment purchased through the funding received. This support marks an important milestone in transforming our concept into a viable and scalable solution. 

Our next steps include refining our formulations, conducting more rigorous testing, and developing the final prototype for small-scale pilot production. The funding will also enable us to gather valuable data to assess the product’s practical applications, and make any necessary improvements before wider implementation. We are excited to continue this journey and bring our innovation one step closer to creating meaningful and sustainable positive impact.

– Potastic Project Team, University of Birmingham

People’s Choice Award

Receiving 6,000 votes, the People’s Choice Award was presented to student-led enterprise, CraftscapeHK, from the University of Hong Kong. Their project celebrates and preserves traditional craft practices by combining AI-generated design concepts with the expertise of local artisans, creating a unique model that connects technology, cultural heritage and sustainable design.

The CRAFT team is deeply honored to receive the inaugural People’s Choice for Innovation Award. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Universitas 21, the global community that voted for us, and the HKU Common Core Office for their unwavering guidance. This USD $2,000 seed funding marks an exciting milestone for our project. Moving forward, we plan to utilize these resources to expand our project’s reach, develop new iterations of our solution, and drive meaningful community impact. We look forward to sharing our journey and the next steps for CRAFT soon.

– CRAFT Project Team, The University of Hong Kong