Latest news with #youthteams
Zawya
5 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Saudi Youth turn AI into practical fixes for sustainability at EmpowerME Hackathon
Hackathon winners spotlight café water reuse, points to trees, and mycelium packaging Teams also explore waste mitigation, customer engagement, and greener supply chains Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – Ten youth teams convened at the EmpowerME Hackathon to build AI‑powered solutions to real sustainability challenges in Saudi Arabia, with a focus on ideas that can move quickly from prototype to pilot in retail operations and communities. Set against the backdrop of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative, the competition, hosted at University of Jeddah, emphasized practical routes to circularity, efficient resource use, and greener cities — areas where data and AI can accelerate measurable progress. Participants explored how AI can help businesses and customers reduce waste, conserve water, and improve environmental performance, echoing national efforts to scale green innovation and future‑ready skills among Saudi youth. Winning ideas First place went to Nuqta ('every drop counts'), an AI‑enabled system that captures leftover liquids from unconsumed café drinks, pre‑filters them, and classifies them for safe reuse — such as floor and table cleaning, humidification, or watering indoor plants — tracked via a live dashboard. Early estimates suggest stores could reduce freshwater use by up to 40% per month, with applications beyond cafés to restaurants, universities, and offices. The runner-up, My Green Rewards, turns Starbucks Rewards points into real tree-planting in partnership with the National Center for Vegetation Cover, using generative AI to select optimal planting sites and send customers location and photo updates, with contributions logged on a national platform. Third place, MycoLoop, replaces fossil‑based protective and secondary packaging with mycelium‑grown inserts and trays cultivated from natural fibers, then dried into sturdy, compostable forms — preserving brand experience while simplifying disposal and cutting single‑use waste. Teams also made progress in other priority areas, including: Customer engagement and participation: An AI‑powered 'Green Points' layer in the Starbucks app that personalizes challenges and rewards based on purchase patterns, adds in‑store live impact screens and QR micro‑content, and pilots a 'Take instead of Toss' corner for unsold bakery items — translating intent into daily action aligned with Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. Greener supply chains: An AI‑enabled, solar‑powered smart‑warehouse concept to optimize storage, picking, and distribution, supported by generative‑AI planning tools and dashboards to monitor energy use, emissions, and environmental performance across the network. Advancing national priorities Designed to engage Saudi youth in solving real-world sustainability challenges, the EmpowerME Hackathon used AI prompting to help teams turn research into viable concepts. The initiative built awareness of local and global environmental issues while equipping students with future-focused skills in teamwork, critical thinking and responsible AI use. Objectives included deepening engagement with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and Saudi Vision 2030, developing practical and scalable ideas with local sustainability impact, and fostering collaboration and ideation. The EmpowerME Hackathon was organized by the Starbucks Foundation, Alshaya Group, and INJAZ Al-Arab/JA MENA, in partnership with Barakah. As part of EmpowerME, a USD 6 million, three-year initiative to equip 250,000 youth across MENA and Türkiye with entrepreneurship, employability and green innovation skills, the hackathon aimed to help Saudi youth apply AI to measurable sustainability challenges in retail and communities. 'EmpowerME is about more than ideas; it's about outcomes,' said Mohammad Mahmoud Al Najjar, Senior Vice President, Starbucks at Alshaya Group. 'By giving young people the tools, confidence, and platform they need, we're seeing complex sustainability challenges turned into practical, testable solutions: reusing café water, turning loyalty points into trees, and replacing plastic packaging with mycelium. It's a powerful signal of what youth‑led innovation can deliver for Saudi Arabia's sustainability agenda.' INJAZ Al-Arab equips youth to drive the economies of the Arab World forward through hands-on learnings and mentorships designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entrepreneurship, and professional skills. Akef Aqrabawi, CEO, INJAZ Al ‑ Arab/JA MENA, added: 'INJAZ Al‑Arab brings regional expertise in youth entrepreneurship and work readiness. Hackathons like this are where ideas become prototypes; partnerships like this are how prototypes become jobs and startups. That is how EmpowerME will contribute to the region's socio‑economic future — by equipping the next generation to build the businesses and careers a sustainable MENA economy needs.' Barakah, a Saudi recycling and circular-economy company that helps businesses recover materials, reduce landfill, and turn waste into value, supported the program as an industry partner. Barakah offered internship opportunities to selected participants, while team members also mentored students and served on the judging panel. 'At Barakah, we believe that tackling food waste and building food security starts with bold ideas and local action,' said Bader Alheraish, Head of Partnerships at Barakah. 'It's inspiring to see so many young innovators using technology to address these challenges head‑on. Events like EmpowerME are crucial for nurturing the next generation of entrepreneurs who will lead Saudi Arabia toward a more sustainable and resilient future.' By grounding innovation in national priorities, the EmpowerME Hackathon showed how youth‑led concepts can advance Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative — from circular water use and biodegradable materials to urban greening and low‑waste logistics. Each winning solution embeds clear metrics (such as liters of water reused, trees planted, packaging waste avoided) and uses AI as a practical enabler for smarter classification, site selection, personalization, planning, and monitoring, making the path from prototype to pilot both credible and measurable. Taking action Organizers are exploring pilot pathways for the top concepts, including in-store water-reuse tests, a points-to-trees integration with the National Center for Vegetation Cover, and packaging trials with delivery partners — prioritizing measurable impact, customer experience, and scalability. The EmpowerME Hackathon is just one part of a larger movement to equip underserved youth — including young women, refugees, and vocational students — with practical skills and opportunities. In its first year, EmpowerME has already reached over 10,000 youth in five countries, with plans to expand further. -Ends- The Starbucks Foundation The Starbucks Foundation strengthens humanity by transforming lives across the world, with a focus on enabling community resiliency and prosperity and uplifting communities affected by disaster. Established in 1997, The Starbucks Foundation is a Section 501(c)(3) charitable organization under U.S. law. Learn more at Starbucks Stories. Starbucks at Alshaya Group Starbucks® Coffee Company, the international coffeehouse and roastery chain, operates in the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and Central Asia regions as a licensed franchise under the umbrella of Alshaya Group, one of the world's leading brand franchise operators. As the premier roaster and retailer of specialty coffee in the region, Starbucks at Alshaya Group seamlessly integrates global coffee expertise and local knowhow. Starbucks at Alshaya Group is all about nurturing the human connection, bringing together local communities and delivering memorable customer experiences. We work to ensure the highest standards of quality and excellence in bringing you an ethically sourced, high-quality cup of Arabica coffee. Serving up coffee and connections to draw our world closer, Starbucks at Alshaya Group currently operates more than 2000 stores in 13 countries in the region. Learn more about your perfect cup of Starbucks coffee: INJAZ Al‑Arab INJAZ Al‑Arab, a leading non‑profit organization operating in 13 countries in the region, harnesses the mentorship of business leaders to help inspire a culture of entrepreneurship and business innovation among Arab youth. INJAZ Al‑Arab equips Arab youth to drive the economies of the Arab World forward through training designed to inspire them to develop ambition, entrepreneurship, and professional skills. EmpowerME EmpowerME is a strategic initiative by the Starbucks Foundation and Alshaya Group, delivered in partnership with INJAZ Al-Arab and Habitat Association Türkiye. The program is designed to foster entrepreneurship, employability, and green innovation among youth facing systemic barriers.
BBC News
10-08-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Aston Villa's Bodymoor Heath training ground extension approved
Plans for Aston Villa to expand their Bodymoor Heath training ground have been approved. The Premier League club applied to North Warwickshire District Council for permission to create a two-storey extension to the main building at the facility. Documents show the expansion would create a bigger and updated dining and nutrition area at first floor level for senior and junior project is the latest in a series of improvements at the Warwickshire training ground, with work under way to create better facilities for the club's women and youth teams and a permanent new office space for administrative and media staff. Marginal gains 'key' In the application, the club said it was "important" for them to improve their facilities to support its "ambition to stay at the top of elite levels of men's football, where marginal gains are key to success".The current dining facilities are "inadequate" to meet the current sport science requirements the club demands, they added.A council report, which recommended that the plans were approved, said that the new development is "appropriate" for the green belt site, because it would cause "limited harm" to the openness of the landscape. In the pipeline is a new centre with 40 bedrooms for players and staff to stay on site when they return from evening games.A purpose-built academy centre is also being built, following the demolition of a number of buildings, as well as a new 3G pitch, covered by a 15-metre dome. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Daily Mail
24-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
Football Australia confirms RECORD deficit of $8.5million - after revenue grew to $124million in 2024
Football Australia chairman Anter Isaac has admitted he is frustrated after the national governing body recorded an $8.5million loss in 2024 - but is confident of future 'continued improvement.' The substantial deficit comes despite FA's revenue growing to $124million last year, with the figure confirmed at an annual general meeting on May 23. Isaac was also unanimously re-elected as chairman - before revealing FA has invested in 'enhanced financial strategy, management and governance systems' to address their financial challenges. In terms of the record $8.5million loss, Isaac pointed to a myriad of reasons, notably heavier investments in national youth teams and $4.1million owed from Australian Professional Leagues, the organisation who run the A-Leagues. 'We are not satisfied and (will) look towards continued improvement,' Isaac said. 'That is our obligation to grassroots football and all our football stakeholders.' The $8.5 million deficit also comes after James Johnson's shock resignation as FA chief executive officer earlier this month. Former Matildas star Heather Garriock has since been appointed interim CEO at Football Australia. Isaac believes Garriock offers 'an unmatched passion for the game, deep football knowledge, executive acumen and a clear vision for the future.' 'We are confident in her ability to lead Football Australia with strength, unity and a mindset of service that reflects the values of our entire football family,' he said. In his chairman's report, Isaac stated he was 'happy' with the $124million in revenue - before stressing it is vital 'there continue to be opportunities to increase the value of our brands and commercial activities to help reinvestment into our game from national teams and especially to the grassroots.' Isaac also wants to see a 'football ecosystem that is united, resilient and ready for the future.' In the short and long term, the FA are tipped to announce Joe Montemurro as the new Matildas coach in June, support the Socceroos' World Cup qualification campaign, and deliver a successful AFC Women's Asian Cup on home soil next year. Focus will also be placed on laying the foundation for a national second-tier competition, to be known as the Australian Championship. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, Johnson was recently appointed to a new role in Canadian football as chief executive of Canada Soccer Business. Johnson will oversee the sport's commercial operations ahead of their home World Cup in 2026, to be also co-hosted by the United States and Mexico.
