What is the Iris Project?

Sumarni Laman is an indigenous youth climate advocate actively involved in environmental initiatives to address the challenges posed by deforestation, unsustainable agriculture, forest fires, and mining. She currently serves as Project Manager at Replant World, a reforestation organisation. She works closely with youth, local, and indigenous communities to restore degraded ecosystems in Indonesia and Africa. Sumarni’s dedication has earned her recognition, including the prestigious 16 Women Restoring The World award from the Global Landscape Forum in 2021.

Sofía Pastor-Parajeles is a Costa Rican biologist with an MPhil in Conservation Leadership from the University of Cambridge. She is the founder of Club Manatí, a manatee conservation initiative that connects children and youth with wetland and coastal ecosystems through creative, science-based learning and hands-on activities that support nature’s wellbeing. Her work spans both terrestrial and marine ecosystems, with a strong focus on ecological connectivity, community participation, and inclusive conservation. She has led research on human–wildlife coexistence, including the acceptance of Baird’s tapir by private landowners, and the leadership of women in conservation across Latin America. Sofía has designed and coordinated community-based monitoring projects and led innovative conservation efforts, such as a collaborative manatee bioacoustics study with the Smithsonian Institution. Through these projects, she integrates science, education, and local knowledge to promote lasting ecological restoration and social impact. She is committed to building conservation solutions that are not only evidence-based but also rooted in equity, collaboration, and a deep connection between people and nature.

Alicia’s work is focused on international climate change policy. She is the founder of the Latin American Youth Climate Scholarship, an initiative that aims to increase the participation of Black, Indigenous and People of Color in climate talks and spaces. Alicia hopes to share her experience in project management and youth inclusion with The Iris Project Advisory Panel.

Javie Barcinal is working at the intersection of biodiversity conservation and climate justice. He is the founder of Dulungan Youth, a youth-led grassroots organisation dedicated to conserving the critically endangered Rufous-headed hornbill, locally known as the ‘Dulungan,’ in the Central Panay Mountains Key Biodiversity Area in Antique, his home province in the Philippines, through creative and practical approaches that centre ownership and agency for local communities. He works at 350.org as the Asia Regional Digital Organiser, where he facilitates digital spaces for movement building and climate justice across the region. Javie studied Global Environmental Issues at the East-West Centre in Hawai’i through an academic fellowship. He is the 2024 Forest Restoration Steward of the Global Landscapes Forum, and is one of the 2024 runner-ups of the Iris Prize, among others. Through his work, Javie attempts to articulate and put nuance to the systemic challenges youth and rural communities face in connection to the climate and biodiversity crises.

Nour Mansour is a Tunisian ecologist and environmental activist with a strong focus on marine pollution and ocean literacy. Since childhood, she has been a changemaker, turning her passion for nature into action. She co-founded TunSea, Tunisia’s first citizen science NGO, which connects communities with science to protect marine ecosystems. With over a decade of experience in youth empowerment, community engagement, and climate advocacy, she bridges science, policy, and grassroots action. Nour is also a Scouts mentor and young climate negotiator, working closely with African and international networks to advance environmental protection, gender equality, and youth leadership.

Steve is a marine conservationist and climate justice advocate based in Mombasa, Kenya. Founder of Youth Pawa, an organization that works in nature restoration projects, ocean conservation and community empowerment. Steve and Youth Pawa were the winners of the Stem Prize 2022. He is involved in the ocean space on a wide scope from marine ecosystem restorations to the general conservation works. He also currently serves on the Resilience Project’s Board of Youth, and he is a facilitator with the ChangemakersXchange. Oh! He is a fervid lover of coffee too.

Alyssa Erin Kardos Loera is the founder of ReMade in Cambodia, a platform that transforms textile waste into wearable products while empowering young local designers. She uses her passion for the arts to tackle environmental challenges, blending creativity with advocacy to drive change. As a former Iris Project prize winner, Alyssa is eager to support young people worldwide in creating projects that address climate change, waste reduction, and community resilience.

Nii Noi is a youth climate leader from Ghana. His journey into the development space started 8 years ago as a volunteer with a local organization that was building youth training centers and urban shelters. Since then he has had local and international experience in designing, management and coordination of projects related to climate, urban sustainability and impact innovation for and with youth.