Schneider Electric , the global leader in energy management and automation, and recognised sustainability leader, has officially opened registrations for its global Go Green Competition, inviting students and young entrepreneurs to present innovative, affordable, and sustainable energy solutions. 

This year’s theme, Renewable Energy for Life & Livelihood focuses on two main areas:  solar-powered agriculture, including pre/post-harvest activities, storage, and processing, and solar-powered microbusinesses in sectors like retail, services, refrigeration, manufacturing, and production.

The top three winning teams will share €10,000 in SEED funding; first place €6,000; second place, €2,500 and third place, €1,500. Team SKYLARKS from Pakistan, represented Middle East and Africa in the 2023 competition. 

First launched in 2011, the Go Green Competition is supported by Schneider Electric’s Youth Education & Entrepreneurship (YEE) and Access to Energy programmes. It aims to identify and nurture grassroots innovations that improve access to clean energy, boost local economies, and create long-lasting community impact.

“Through the Go Green Competition, we’re not just challenging youth to think creatively, we’re investing in their potential to become the next generation of energy innovators. Furthermore, it is an opportunity for students to gain hands-on mentorship, access valuable learning resources, and secure critical SEED funding to turn their ideas into reality,” says Tanya Ramlagan, Vice President of Human Resources, Anglophone Africa at Schneider Electric.

Participants are encouraged to design solutions that are affordable, sustainable, locally sourced, and innovative, aligning with real-world needs and local capabilities. Teams can register at www.gogreencompetition.com till 31 May 2025, with project proposals due by 30 June 2025. 

Learning beyond the competition

To support project development, Schneider Electric will provide access to its exclusive Get Into Energy Transitioncourse via Schneider Electric University, designed to upskill participants on key sustainability and energy transition concepts. This learning pathway, created in partnership with INCO, equips young people with practical skills for future careers in the energy sector.

Importantly, every team will be matched with a Schneider Electric mentor, offering tailored support in refining their solution, developing business models, and understanding the practical impact of their idea.

A past winner shared their experience: “We were promptly assigned a mentor from Schneider Electric, who guided us in evolving our innovative idea. They were our guiding light, helping us align our project with Schneider’s technical and business criteria. Even when we faced setbacks, we remained focused, pursuing the goal we believed in, day after day.”