SAYEF 2025 Essay Competition: Youth Voices Lighting the Path to a Clean Energy Future

Every big change starts with a voice. Through the South Asia Youth Energy and Urban Forum (SAYEF) 2025 Essay Competition on Urban Energy Edition, young people across the region shared their vision of a cleaner, fairer, and more sustainable future.

More than 1300 students and young professionals submitted essays on energy and urban challenges. Their work was more than just writing. It revealed the hopes, worries, and determination of a generation that will inherit tomorrow’s world.

Fresh Awareness and Courage

Reviewers observed that the essays showed growing awareness among youth on issues like energy and urbanization. What impressed them most was the courage to speak up, even making connections between topics that might seem unrelated, such as mental health and energy.

There was also a recognition from reviewers that although some participants struggled with coherence, their awareness came through clearly. One essay even read like a podcast, lighthearted yet full of ideas.

Responsibility and Vision

Reviewers were inspired by the passion and sense of responsibility reflected in the submissions. As one reviewer explained, “They were not only thinking about solutions for their own communities, but also for their countries, their region, and vulnerable groups often left behind.” Reviewers believe Gen Z’s strengths in public speaking and influence can help amplify these voices.

Another reviewer highlighted the diversity of themes, noting essays on indigenous rights and urban mobility. One piece about vulnerable groups in the energy transition stood out, reminding reviewers that both technical and social approaches are needed for real solutions.

Innovation and Creativity

Reviewers appreciated the fresh and creative solutions presented. They saw an encouraging trend toward interdisciplinary thinking, with data driven arguments and critical perspectives. At the same time, reviewers pointed out the need to widen the focus from local contexts to the regional level.

Practical ideas were also noted, such as pay as you go energy systems, community based green finance, and gamified strategies to engage youth. Reviewers emphasized that while many of these proposals were innovative, the real challenge lies in making them feasible and sustainable.

In the end, reviewers concluded that the essays reflected a shared understanding of the importance of youth participation in the energy transition. As one reviewer put it, “The essays demonstrated that young people are listening, aware of energy issues, and eager to contribute.”

A Generation Ready to Lead

These reflections show the energy, creativity, and sense of responsibility that young people bring to the clean energy conversation. The SAYEF essay competition proved that youth are not standing on the sidelines. They are already speaking up, imagining new solutions, and inspiring change. Now it is up to all of us including policymakers, experts, and communities to listen and work together with them to build a clean and inclusive energy future.

As the last step of this journey, we will soon announce the winners of the SAYEF essay competition on 15 September 2025. We sincerely thank all participants for sharing their ideas and passion. Please follow our website and social media for the official announcement and future updates.