Earth Hero at 17: Amara Nwuneli Wins 2025 Earth Prize for Transforming Trash into Joy

In a heartwarming triumph that’s making waves across Africa and beyond, 17-year-old Amara Nwuneli has clinched the prestigious 2025 Earth Prize, a global environmental sustainability award celebrating young changemakers. Her winning project? A vibrant children’s playground made entirely from recycled tires—a creative and eco-friendly solution that blends innovation, environmental stewardship, and community impact.

Amara’s project stands out not just for its environmental value but for its sustainable design and community-centered approach. Using discarded car and truck tires, she designed and constructed a safe, colorful, and fully functional playground for children in her local community. The project addresses two major challenges: environmental pollution from non-biodegradable rubber waste and the lack of safe recreational spaces for children in underserved neighborhoods.

In her words, “I wanted to create something that would bring joy to children and also raise awareness about the endless possibilities of recycling. We don’t have to wait to grow up to make a difference.”

The Earth Prize is an annual international award that recognizes exceptional youth-led environmental solutions. With entries from more than 100 countries in 2025, Amara’s innovation captured the judges’ attention for its practicality, sustainability, and scalability. She not only took home the top prize but also sparked a conversation around youth empowerment in climate action.

According to the Earth Prize Committee, “Amara’s playground project is a shining example of how ingenuity and compassion can be harnessed to solve real-world problems. It’s sustainable, replicable, and deeply rooted in community development.”

What sets Amara apart is her vision. Beyond building a playground, she organized workshops in schools to educate students on the dangers of environmental pollution and the power of creative recycling. She also partnered with local artisans and unemployed youth, training them in the art of converting waste materials into functional play equipment. The result? A ripple effect of job creation, skill development, and environmental awareness.

Amara’s journey sends a powerful message to young Africans: you’re never too young to change the world. Her win is more than a personal achievement—it’s a spotlight on the potential of African youth to lead the global sustainability movement.

Her story has inspired other young people across the continent to start thinking green, and environmental groups are now rallying to replicate her idea in other cities and rural communities.

Amara plans to use her Earth Prize winnings to expand the playground project to other parts of Nigeria, and she’s already in talks with local governments and NGOs. She’s also working on a digital toolkit to help schools and communities design similar low-cost, eco-friendly playgrounds using local waste materials.

“This is just the beginning,” she says. “Africa is full of brilliant young minds who just need support and visibility. I want to help create a world where sustainability isn’t a trend—it’s a way of life.”

Amara Nwuneli is proof that when passion meets purpose, age is no barrier to impact. Her win at the 2025 Earth Prize is not just a personal milestone—it’s a victory for community innovation, sustainable development, and the future of Africa’s green movement.

Congratulations, Amara! The continent is proud—and the world is watching.