At just 17 years old, Ahmed Hany stands as a powerful symbol of what can be achieved when passion meets purpose. From a small, resource-scarce village in Egypt, where environmental issues were far from the minds of most people, Ahmed’s journey is nothing short of extraordinary.
While his peers were focused on navigating the routine challenges of adolescence, Ahmed was already carving out a path to influence the world through his passion for scientific research, environmental advocacy, and entrepreneurship. What makes his story even more inspiring is the realization that, despite limited resources and an academic system that didn’t nurture his leadership ambitions, he has already built a global network and led multiple projects that are actively addressing some of the most pressing environmental issues of this era.
A Spark for Change
“I grew up in a rural environment, poor in resources, where not everyone here has similar interests to me. The academic curricula also lacked leadership and management guidance, and despite these circumstances, I got many important opportunities from prestigious universities such as Columbia and Yale, and I worked on more than one research with mentors from Harvard and Michigan,” Ahmed recalls of his humble beginnings.
His path to success was forged through his commitment to making a difference, and his story reveals the tenacity of a young man who is determined to defy the odds.
Ahmed’s journey began with a love for scientific research, as well as a strong sense of urgency regarding environmental issues such as climate change.
“Since I was young, I have been passionate about scientific research, in addition to environmental issues and climate change,” he shares.
This early passion shaped his educational journey and ultimately laid the foundation for his entrepreneurial ventures. His involvement in several prestigious global programs, funded by organizations like the European Union and the US State Department, exposed him to opportunities and mentors that helped shape his vision.
GreenAura: A Platform for Youth-Led Environmental Action
With a drive to challenge the status quo, Ahmed realized the need for practical solutions to address the neglect of environmental issues in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. He saw an absence of initiatives that provided real solutions to sustainability problems and resources to support climate change efforts.
“GreenAura started after noticing a great neglect of environmental issues such as climate change in MENA, and the absence of initiatives that provide practical solutions to sustainability problems or provide free resources,” Ahmed explains.
This insight sparked the creation of his non-profit initiative, GreenAura, which aims to empower young people to lead environmental solutions and engage in projects that make a tangible impact.
GreenAura quickly became a powerful platform for youth engagement in environmental activism. “Here I realized that I could make a difference in this field and that there is a need for a platform that brings together young people interested in climate change, and provides them with resources and opportunities to develop their ideas and turn them into real projects,” Ahmed shares.
Based in Egypt, GreenAura offers a range of programs designed to raise environmental awareness, facilitate youth leadership, and connect young people with global experts. Its most prominent initiatives include the EcoVerse summit & challenge, the EcoMedia competition, and the GreenAura Ambassadors program, all of which encourage youth involvement in finding and implementing sustainable solutions.
“We organize awareness campaigns and events to implement volunteer environmental projects, organize competitions to support environmental solutions, and provide environmental consulting to organizations,” Ahmed states, describing the breadth of GreenAura’s impact.
At GreenAura, empowering young people to lead environmental solutions is at the forefront of their mission. “We empower young people to lead environmental solutions,” explains Ahmed, highlighting their multifaceted approach to promoting sustainability.
With a team of just 30 core members, GreenAura has managed to mobilize an impressive network of over 600 ambassadors, 10,000 alumni, and 20 mentors on its advisory board, which includes esteemed experts like Dr. Wafik Noseir, a member of the World Environment Congress who is the organisation’s supervisor.
From Funding to Mindset Shifts
The challenges of operating in the non-profit sector, particularly securing funding and support, are not lost on Ahmed. However, these hurdles have only fueled his resolve to grow the impact of his work. “One of the biggest challenges I faced was getting funding and support for our projects, because working in a non-profit field requires sustainable resources to ensure the continuity of impact,” he admits. Additionally, changing public mindsets around environmental issues remains a significant obstacle. “Some people believe that environmental issues are not a priority,” he says.
Through perseverance, Ahmed has learned key lessons, particularly the importance of building relationships with institutions that support sustainability. “I learned the importance of building a strong network of relationships with institutions and organizations that support sustainability, and the importance of education and awareness as a tool for change,” he explains. By fostering these networks, Ahmed has been able to expand the scope and reach of GreenAura’s work, even in the face of limited resources.
Inspiring a Global Movement
Some of GreenAura’s most notable accomplishments include the EcoVerse summit & challenge, which brings together youth, researchers, and entrepreneurs to present innovative solutions to climate change. “It is a leading environmental event in the MENA region that brings together youth, researchers, and entrepreneurs to present innovative solutions to the climate crisis through lectures, workshops, and competitions,” Ahmed says.
Another key initiative, the EcoMedia competition, encourages young people to use arts like photography and design to communicate environmental issues in engaging ways. Through these initiatives, Ahmed and his team have connected thousands of young people with the tools and resources to take action on climate issues.
But Ahmed’s vision extends beyond GreenAura. Driven by a desire to make a global impact, he is also managing projects focused on bridging educational gaps and providing resources for young people, particularly those from underserved communities. “I have dedicated my life to working on community projects that aim to bridge educational gaps and lack of resources in many communities,” Ahmed reveals.
His work in biomedicine, neuroscience, and scientific research is focused on empowering young people to pursue their academic dreams, particularly in Africa. “I plan to start an initiative soon that provides guidance and resources for African students who want to complete their studies in the United States of America,” he says, highlighting his broader goal of creating lasting change for communities in need.
A Vision for the Future
In his entrepreneurial journey, Ahmed has learned that success does not come overnight. “The biggest lesson I have learned is that change takes time and patience, especially in issues related to changing behaviors and community awareness,” he reflects. This lesson has shaped his approach to business management and leadership, with an emphasis on empowerment and collaboration.
“Leadership is not just about directing, but empowering others to become part of the solution,” he explains. His leadership style revolves around building strong teams and engaging youth in the process, while also collaborating with international networks to transfer knowledge and successful experiences to local communities.
Looking ahead, Ahmed remains optimistic and committed to expanding GreenAura’s impact. “We are currently working on expanding our environmental projects, and we seek to expand in all countries of the world by establishing clubs and branches that focus on solving environmental issues in each community and contribute to achieving our mission,” he shares.
With emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and renewable energy leading the charge in environmental solutions, Ahmed is excited about the future of sustainable innovation. “I am very excited about developments in environmental technology, such as the use of artificial intelligence for sustainability solutions, renewable energy technologies, and sustainable agriculture,” he says.
“I plan to start an initiative soon that provides guidance and resources for African students who want to complete their studies in the United States of America to have a better educational opportunity and be able to make an impact in their communities,” added Ahmed.
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Ahmed offers a piece of invaluable advice. “The first advice is to know that the environment we come from does not reflect our future achievements. About 5 years ago I did not believe that I could make an impact in my neighborhood until now I am leading the impact not only at the level of MENA or the African continent, but I plan to open branches in foreign countries to extend our impact around the world,” he asserts.
“The second piece of advice is not to hesitate to start as long as you can make a difference in this field, you can achieve this despite all the challenges and lack of resources, especially in our African communities, just plan, build a team that is enthusiastic and shares the same passion, start implementing your project even if you don’t succeed the first time.”
And so, Ahmed Hany’s footsteps continue to echo across the globe, a reminder that even the smallest actions can have a profound impact. His journey is a beacon of hope, illuminating the path for those who dare to dream of a better world.
