The YOHESOR Upcycling Contest has officially taken place, and it was an exciting, creative, and inspiring experience for students, teachers, and the entire community. Designed to spark innovation while promoting environmental sustainability, the contest brought together secondary school students across Abuja to transform everyday waste into meaningful, functional, or artistic creations.
This project reflects YOHESOR’s commitment to empowering young people with skills that promote problem-solving, sustainability, teamwork, and social responsibility. The energy, creativity, and passion displayed by the students made this year’s event a powerful reminder that young people are at the center of Nigeria’s sustainable future.
Who Participated?
The contest was open to secondary school students within Abuja, and each school entered a team of 3 to 5 students. The goal was simple yet impactful:
turn waste into something useful, beautiful, or innovative.
Students approached the challenge with enthusiasm, transforming plastics, metals, paper, and fabric waste into impressive upcycled products.
What the Contest Was About
The Upcycling Contest asked students to rethink waste by giving discarded materials a second life. From practical household tools to creative art pieces, every entry showcased the power of youth-led innovation in promoting sustainability and social reform.
The competition also aligned with YOHESOR’s core mission:
empowering young people to lead positive change in their communities.
The Prizes
Participating teams competed for three major prizes:
- 1st Place — ₦500,000
- 2nd Place — ₦350,000
- 3rd Place — ₦250,000
These prizes were designed to encourage creativity, teamwork, and environmental awareness, while giving young innovators the resources to continue creating.
Judging Criteria
Each entry was evaluated based on four clear and fair criteria:
Functionality. Does the upcycled item serve a practical purpose?
Creativity. Is the idea original or innovative?
Presentation. How neat, clear, and visually appealing is the final project?
Sustainability. Does the project use waste materials responsibly and promote environmental care?
Judges praised the students’ creativity, noting how much thought and passion went into every submission.
How Schools Entered the Contest
Participating teams followed a simple process:
- Form a group of 3–5 students
- Download and fill out the YOHESOR Upcycling Contest application form
- Submit the completed form to yohesorupcycling@gmail.com
- Document their project with photos or videos
- Send in the final project submission before June 6, 2025
Shortlisted schools later joined us for the final physical exhibition and prize-giving ceremony, where they showcased their work to judges, peers, and invited guests.
What the Students Submitted
Every team presented:
- A set of photos or videos documenting their work
- A short explanation (maximum 200 words) describing their idea, materials used, and the environmental impact of their project
These submissions helped the judges understand the creativity, effort, and sustainability behind each upcycled item.
Event Highlights
The exhibition day was filled with excitement as students proudly displayed their finished pieces. Teachers and families joined to support them, and judges were impressed by the high quality of the projects.
From decorative lamps and recycled furniture to fashion accessories and functional household tools, the variety was amazing.
A Step Toward a Cleaner, Creative Nigeria
Beyond the prizes, the contest gave students a chance to:
- Think critically
- Work as a team
- Solve environmental problems
- Explore sustainable design
- Build confidence in their creativity
The YOHESOR Upcycling Contest proved that when young people are given a platform, they rise to the challenge with passion, innovation, and purpose.
Stay Connected
For more projects, opportunities, and updates:
🌐 Website: https://yohesor.org/
📷 Instagram: @Yohesorofficial
📧 Email: info@yohesor.org
