Amara (Amarachi) C. Nwuneli

What they built

Founded Preserve Our Roots (POR), a youth-led NGO, and launched the G.R.E.E.N. Sustainability Parks initiative — transforming former waste-dumping sites in underserved Lagos neighbourhoods into eco-parks built from recycled materials (old tyres, wood, metal). The parks serve simultaneously as community green spaces, climate education hubs, and replicable blueprints for circular, climate-resilient urban development. Amara started POR after a devastating flood destroyed her family's home in 2020, when she was approximately 12–13 years old. The initiative won $12,500 as the Africa regional winner of The Earth Prize 2025, with plans to build three more parks across underserved Nigerian communities.

Verified track record

• - Africa regional winner: The Earth Prize 2025 ($12.5k)
• - First park built/launching with replication plan for 3 more
• - Documented coverage across major youth/climate platforms
• Business Insider Africa (Apr 2025) (source)
• The Earth Prize Official (2025 Regional Winners) (source)
• KidsRights Foundation – 2025 Children's Peace Prize Nominee (confirms age 17, Lagos, Nigeria) (source)
• Ashoka Young Changemakers profile (source)
• We Are Family Foundation – 2025 Global Teen Leaders (confirms age 17, she/her) (source)
• LinkedIn editorial (source)
• oneperson.ng profile (source)