Yeliz Mert
Knowledge Sharing Coordinator at Global Landscapes Forum
Yeliz is a social designer and catalyst experienced in social innovation, entrepreneurship, community action and ecosystem building. She holds 10+ years of accumulated knowledge in the areas of regenerative agriculture, circular economy, climate action and diversity & inclusion. Currently, she serves as Knowledge Sharing Coordinator at Global Landscapes Forum, where she uses digital space to enhance landscape restoration efforts worldwide, and to create pathways to turn knowledge sharing into action on the ground. Previously at B Lab Europe, she was responsible for network management, strategy, and climate initiatives. She also worked at Impact Hub Amsterdam as a Community Catalyst, and started a business in natural skincare. Yeliz holds a joint master's degree in Sustainable Development, and a bachelor's degree in Industrial Engineering. Overall, Yeliz is a strong believer in the power of collaboration for a positive future.
Judge’s selections
Next Generation Renewables Prize
Fair, circular solar panel
Biosphere Solar
A very exciting project! Especially given how despererately we need to move towards renewables, and how much unspoken problems we have around them (short lifespan of materials, recyclability issues, lack of enough raw materials without damaging valuable forested ecosystems of the world...). I really like that this project is very thorough in their thinking, research and overall approach. They seem very connected to others in this field which is always a good thing, they attiribute high importance to transparency, want to unpack the industry problems in a new way and actively offer solutions, and on top of it all they are engaged in educational activities and raising awareness all along the way. Even catalyzing a European supply chain - love it!
This is not your average renewables project, they want to think further, they want to better the system around them!
Best Bridge Builder Prize
UP FOOD PROJECT
Co-creation project to update food sustainability by upcycling.
Koru Inc.
Food waste reduction, (agricultural) material valuation and building collaborative capacity are valuable approaches towards tackling important issues connected to economical activities which affect ecological wellbeing. Decreasing food waste and better utilization of existing agricultural resources would help easing the pressure on land for more (food) production (from rice husks for paper to vegetable scraps for dye).
And in the process, these approaches can create awareness among economical players for better operational processes and business models, as this project has a particularly collaborative character. I think this very point makes this project standout. I really appreciate that the project is willing to take a co-created approach (which is not always easy!) and that it's building an ecosystem by connecting different players. We really need organizations which are investing their human resources and time into building collaborative capacity with others. There is no other way, of course. We need to work together to make use of each other's skills, processes, machineries, so we can collectively change our production systems into integrated and connected ones. This in itself is another way of going 'no waste'. :)
Building and maintaining relationships with others is so important in creating a circular economy system. This becomes especially tangible and strong when there is a common regional area where these players operate, which can help them build ties to each other, their natural environment and the society around it. I'm curious if you thought how you want to build and cherish your (business) relationships and build a regional connection?
Renewed Tech Relationship Prize
“Upcycled Speakers” in collaboration with art
Tina Audio Co., Ltd.
While we started discussing fashion and food waste more and more, we're still slow in responding to the growing wicked problem of technological waste. Few companies take responsibility on the problem and offer solutions. Repair, take back and upcycling services are particularly important when it comes to technological products, because they aren't easily fixed by the consumers themselves.
It's responsible of this company to provide that additional service and sort out its own waste stream by upcycling. Using art as a way of enhancing the products also shows you how creativity can bring new life to an old product that could be easily thrown away in today's world.
It would be interesting to learn more about how much of their sales are upcycled this way to see its real impact.
Investigative Materials Prize
Mineralloop
Individual
I like this project because it opens doors to new possibilities that can change and adapt to the times' asthetic needs without causing wasteful harm on the way - that's mainly thanks to the nature of reusing the existing resources. Given that looking for virgin sources cause harm and unnecessary resource use, it's awesome that this project finds ways to mine it from existing sources. That's actually why I find this project so interesting: It sheds light on what's available to us in our proximity. Urban mining is a concept that can be developed so much further as a helpful instrument to help localizing our material cycles and lowering our impact.
Furthermore, this project has potential to build place-based relationships and community on the way, build consumer awareness on what urban mining is and what new ways we can think of engaging with raw materials.
I'm curious if this project considered creating exhibitons in schools, hospitals, train stations, public institutions... Because it has an artistic element which can help to communicate with others in a positive and intriguing ways.
Cultivating New Mindsets Prize
source of education
Takayama Shokai Corporation
This is a wonderful project! In a world where citizens are reduced to become consumers, this project is offering a new way of consuming and producing. And not only that, they are teaching children both of these ways of engaging with life early on so they develop a healthy relationship to both of these. Besides, engaging with craftsmanship early on, raising materials awareness in children who are exposed to lots of screens and helping them understand consequences of their actions as human beings in this world are all so -very- valuable. When I see an intentional and purposeful project like this one, where children are being introduced to responsible consumption and production and sustainable ways of thinking, I can only get hopeful for a better world.