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The SEED Program by URB is a transformative initiative designed to inspire and empower youth to become proactive leaders in social entrepreneurship and environmental sustainability. Our mission is to cultivate the next generation of environmental change makers, equipping them with the knowledge, skills, and mentorship needed to create innovative solutions for urban and planetary challenges.
In today’s rapidly evolving world, it is more important than ever for the next generation to be prepared to tackle the pressing environmental issues that we face. The SEED Program is dedicated to fostering this preparedness by focusing on social entrepreneurship and environmental development. We believe that the future belongs to those who can think creatively and act decisively to address the needs of our planet.
Baharash Bagherian, CEO of URB, emphasizes the importance of this mission: “Our youth are the architects of tomorrow. By empowering them with the tools and knowledge to lead in environmental and social innovation, we are planting the seeds for a sustainable and resilient future.”
Social Entrepreneurship and
Environmental Development
Inspiring the Next Generation: The future belongs to change makers. As we face unprecedented environmental and planetary challenges, it is crucial that our next generation is equipped to lead the way. The SEED Program is dedicated to inspiring youth to become leaders in environmental sustainability and social entrepreneurship. By focusing on developing new skills and fostering innovative thinking, we prepare young people to create solutions that go beyond traditional career paths.
Empowering Youth: Through a combination of education, mentorship, and hands-on experience, SEED provides participants with the tools they need to succeed. We believe that with the right support, young people can drive meaningful change in their communities and beyond. Our program encourages youth to envision and pursue careers in emerging fields, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and innovation in today’s rapidly changing world.
Fostering Innovation: SEED encourages creative thinking and problem-solving through innovation challenges and hackathons. Participants are tasked with developing practical solutions to real-world environmental problems, fostering a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship. This approach not only addresses current issues but also prepares participants for future challenges by nurturing their ability to think outside the box.
Building Sustainable Futures: The program emphasizes the importance of sustainability in all aspects of life and business. By instilling values of environmental stewardship and social responsibility, SEED helps shape future leaders who are committed to creating a sustainable and resilient world. Our focus on new, innovative career paths ensures that participants are prepared for the jobs of the future, not just the jobs of today.
Creating Community Impact: SEED participants engage in community projects that make tangible impacts in their local areas. These projects not only provide real-world experience but also demonstrate the power of grassroots efforts in driving environmental change. Through these initiatives, participants learn the importance of community involvement and the significant difference they can make at a local level.
Developing Lifelong Skills: The SEED Program equips youth with essential skills such as leadership, teamwork, critical thinking, and project management. These skills are invaluable in any career path and contribute to personal growth and professional success.
SEED has evolved from our previous initiative (Urban Innovation Awards) which recognised the best emerging talents under the age of 30 in architecture, landscape design and urban planning, with a focus on sustainability.
Rapid urbanisation and the increase rate of climate change is fueling new thinking in the planning of the next generation of sustainable cities. As such it has become a necessity to promote a culture of innovation in urban planning.
Urban Innovation Awards was designed to foster a bottom-up entrepreneurial spirit in the built environment. The awards was launched to empower & cultivate a new breed of young innovators to become the next leaders of sustainable design. The winners were celebrated at an awards ceremony in Dubai.
CEO of URB, Baharash Bagherian explains the key aims of Urban Innovation Awards:
“The awards aims to discover the next generation of architects, urban planners & landscape designers. Urban Innovation Awards is one of several initiatives by URB to enable and foster an ecosystem of sustainable innovators at an early stage in their careers. The awards will empower the best young minds whilst promoting a culture of sustainability in urban planning. These initiatives coupled with our ongoing projects will help us with our mission to accelerate the world’s transition towards sustainable development.”
