Tonga Finalists: Youth Innovation Challenge (Pacific Greenpreneurs Incubator Business Plan Competition) 2021-2022.

With our Partners, Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN), Breadfruit Consulting, and supported by Solutions Consulting House (SCH) - we are delighted to showcase the following five Green Businesses as our Tonga Finalists from the Mafoa 'A e Ata Youth Innovation Challenge 2021-2022.  We have now completed Phases 1 & 2 of the Innovation Challenge with their final Business Plan Competition Documents submission to GGGI, 14th April 2022.  In no particular order the five finalists are:

• Eta's Creation by Kristy Lavulavu - Gifts & Crafts
• HUNI by Sela Maka, Kasanita 'Ofa, Malia Vakapuna, Sokopeti Vite - Waste
• Beauty with Style by Lavinia Fehoko - Fashion Tailor & Design
• Ha'apai Hospitality by Rebecca Pepa, Mahe Pepa - Tourism & Hospitality
• WETA Coffee Tonga by Joan Puloka, Mitna Taumoefolau, 'Asena Lalahi - Food & Retail

Each green business is competing for the seed grant USD 5,000 which is made possible through the support and assistance of our Partner GGGI Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN). This final submission will be followed by a graduation celebration next month in May to announce the winners!  We would like to acknowledge and thank wholeheartedly to our Partners for their support which inspires us here in Tonga to have these partnerships to help our local youth-led green businesses grow, develop and scale. 

It has been an amazing experience and journey with our local Green Entrepreneurs and their youth-led green businesses. But what do we mean when we say green entrepreneurs and green businesses? According to our partner, GGGI Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network - "we are talking about a business or individual that is purpose-driven in addressing social and environmental issues through the services and products they deliver".

Who will be our Tonga Business Plan Competition winners?
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​​About Mafoa 'A e Ata Youth Innovation Challenge Program

The goal of the Mafoa ‘a e Ata – Youth Innovation Challenge program is to create,  support and facilitate innovative businesses that are sustainable and resilient in the Kingdom of Tonga. With a  theme, ‘Innovating for the Unexpected: Resilience and Sustainability  in the face of Uncertainty’.

About Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI):
Based in Seoul, GGGI is an intergovernmental organization that supports governments of developing countries to transition to a model of economic growth that is environmentally sustainable and socially inclusive. GGGI delivers programs in over 40 partner countries with technical support, capacity building, policy planning & implementation, and by helping to build a pipeline of bankable green investment projects. More on GGGI’s events, projects, and publications can be found on www.gggi.org. You can also follow GGGI on Twitter and join us on Facebook, YouTube, and LinkedIn.
 
The regional Pacific Green Entrepreneurs Network (PGEN) is a 3-year project funded by the Qatar Fund for Development and implemented by the Global Green Growth Institute in collaboration with in-country partners including Tonga Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship. The Network aims to support green and inclusive job growth by supporting entrepreneurs (particularly women and youth) develop their green and sustainable businesses whose business models include solutions aimed at contributing to their country’s climate and sustainable development goals in Fiji, Kiribati, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Tonga and Vanuatu. For more information, please visit the Pacific Greenpreneurs website.