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Greenovate participants win 1st Prize at the International YRE Competition

An article inspired by the Greenovate youth training was recognised among the world’s best environmental stories.

The Greenovate – Engaging Youth in a Digital Green Future 2.0 project has achieved another inspiring milestone. Three students from the Faculty of Education, University of Ljubljana (Slovenia) have won 1st Place in the Article (19–25 years) category of the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Competition 2025/2026.

Their award-winning article, Artificial Intelligence and Teamwork – Developing Prototypes that Support the Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, written by Teja Majzelj, Ana Mohenski and Ana Kravcar, was inspired by their participation in the Greenovate Participation Days, organised by project partner Inercia Digital in Huelva, Spain. During five-days course, young people from five partner countries explored how digital tools, innovation and collaboration can contribute to a more sustainable future.

From learning to action

Rather than ending with the training itself, the students transformed their newly acquired knowledge and international experience into an article about how artificial intelligence, creativity and teamwork can support sustainable development and accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The article was submitted to the Young Reporters for the Environment (YRE) International Competition, where it was selected as the best article worldwide in the 19–25 age category.

 

International recognition

The winners were selected by an international jury composed of experts representing the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), UNESCO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE), international journalism and media organisations, and former YRE winners.

Presenting the jury’s decision, Sasha Karajović, Executive Director of ECOM (Montenegro) and member of the Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Board of Directors, praised the article’s “forward-looking and innovative approach, which showcases how young people are using collaboration, creativity and artificial intelligence to develop solutions to sustainability challenges.” The jury also highlighted the article’s optimistic perspective, strong focus on innovation and its emphasis on young people as changemakers.

Recognised by an International Jury

Receiving the international award, Teja Majzelj in the name of the authors shared:

“We are truly happy and honoured that our article was recognised among so many inspiring entries from around the world. This recognition means a lot to us and encourages us to continue raising awareness of environmental issues through our work. We are especially grateful to the Greenovate project and the DOVES Association – Eco-Schools Slovenia and Young Reporters Slovenia programmes for giving us the opportunity to participate in the international youth training in Huelva, Spain. That experience inspired us, broadened our perspective and made this article possible.”

Congratulations to Teja Majzelj, Ana Mohenski and Ana Kravcar on this outstanding achievement!

Greenovate in practice

This achievement perfectly reflects the ambition of the Greenovate project: to empower young people through international learning experiences, collaboration, creativity and innovation.

Greenovate is more than a training programme. It provides young people with opportunities to connect with peers from different countries, explore sustainability challenges together and transform ideas into meaningful actions and internationally recognised results.

Greenovate partners are proud to see young people turning international learning experiences into innovative ideas, meaningful action and global recognition. This success reflects the project’s commitment to empowering young people with the knowledge, skills and confidence to shape a more sustainable and digital future. We hope it is just one of many inspiring stories that Greenovate will continue to spark in the years ahead.

Online space, 15 June 2026

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