Manzanilla’s Vertical Solar Greenhouse wins top award in RBC’s Young Leaders Program

PORT OF SPAIN, September 19, 2024 — Manzanilla Secondary School has emerged victorious in the prestigious RBC Young Leaders 2024 competition. The six-member team, known as the Agri-preneurs, captivated the judges with their innovative project proposal inspired by a comment from Prime Minister Keith Rowley about the importance of school-based gardens as vital for building food security.

The Agri-preneurs proposed the construction of a vertical solar greenhouse using eco-friendly materials and a rainwater harvesting system to reduce energy consumption. Their compelling pitch, which included a model of the proposed garden, to a panel of judges from RBC and the Inter-American Development Bank earned them the top prize of $100,000 to bring their project to life. The theme for this year’s competition was “Conserve, Produce, Enhance”.

While the Young Leaders program had a four-year hiatus, this year saw 11 schools participating in a revamped competition during the July August holidays designed to enhance financial literacy; teach world-of-work proficiencies – project management and presentation skills; and inspire and encourage sustainability practices. Students were challenged to develop a project for implementation in their school or local community that promotes environmental and/or social benefits that align with the project theme.

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