Green Dream Projects Foundation launches 2026 Super Youth Environmental initiatives

GREAT BAY--The Green Dream Projects Foundation (GDPF) is launching “The Super Youth Environmental & Community Education Project Initiatives” for 2026, a structured, youth-led education program designed to help students think critically, act creatively, and propose real-world solutions to priority environmental and community challenges on St. Maarten.

“As a Foundation, we are proud to introduce a program that pushes students beyond the classroom and into problem-solving that can benefit their communities,” said Claude R. Javois, President of the Green Dream Projects Foundation. “These initiatives are designed to build youth leadership while encouraging practical research, teamwork, and innovation.”

School selection and timeline

GDPF will submit project proposals in December 2025. Participation will be limited to three secondary schools, three vocational schools, and six primary schools. The implementation period runs mid-January to mid-June 2026.

Each selected school will receive a detailed project outline. Student teams will have the option to:

• Design and construct a working model, or
• Develop a PowerPoint presentation presenting research findings and proposed solutions.

Each participating school team will consist of 12 students, guided by a teacher or mentor. Additional mentorship will be made available to students in CAPE, IB, or Upper Dutch-level programs pursuing advanced environmental or STEM-related studies.

Evaluation and recognition

Representatives from relevant Ministries within the Government of St. Maarten will be invited to participate as evaluators. Projects will be assessed based on creativity, research content, presentation quality, and community impact.

GDPF will also seek sponsorship and in-kind contributions from local and regional partners to support prizes and recognition for participating schools and students who demonstrate strong innovation, effort, and environmental commitment.

The six project initiatives for 2026

Participating schools will focus on one of the following initiatives:

1. LB Scott Road Traffic Congestion Plan
   Students will research traffic congestion and propose safer, more efficient mobility concepts to improve traffic flow and community safety.
2. Dutch Quarter Wastewater Control Plan
   Students will examine drainage and wastewater challenges and propose sustainable systems to reduce flooding and contamination.
3. Philipsburg Sustainable Waste Management Plan
   Students will design improved waste-management models emphasizing segregation, recycling, composting, and reduced landfill dependency.
4. Community Crime Control and Prevention Plan
   Students will study areas where crime impacts tourism and neighborhood safety, and propose prevention strategies through environmental design, youth participation, and public awareness.
5. Curbside Recycling Collection Systems Design
   Students will develop neighborhood recycling collection concepts for plastics, cans, cardboard, and mixed recyclables to support cleaner communities.
6. Multiple Parking System Design
   Students will create multi-level or multi-zone parking concepts to address parking shortages and improve accessibility in urban areas.

To strengthen environmental awareness early, six primary schools will participate through simplified versions of the same six initiatives. Students in Grades 4, 5, and 6 will complete small-group activities and presentations, focusing on themes such as recycling, water conservation, school safety, and community cleanliness, linking classroom learning to practical community improvement.

Students are encouraged to rely on creativity, teamwork, and innovation. AI tools, including ChatGPT, may be used for guidance, but should not replace independent research. Participants are expected to gather reliable data, conduct observations where possible, and consult credible sources to support originality and accuracy.

The 2026 initiatives support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, including SDGs 4, 9, 11, 12, 13, and 15, and reflect GDPF’s mission to strengthen youth leadership, expand environmental education, and support community development across St. Maarten.

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