Young Pacific scientists turn big ideas into real solutions at bootcamp

A group of young Pacific scientists and engineers have walked away with new skills and new hope after completing a week-long business bootcamp in Fiji aimed at helping them turn local problems into local solutions.

The “Entrepreneurship for Sustainable Development” bootcamp, which was held from 17–21 November in Nadi, was organised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and Enterprise Twin (ET) Cube, a non-profit organisation.

The training brought together 27 Pacific youth, aged 20 to 34, from Fiji, Kiribati, Sāmoa, Tonga, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and Papua New Guinea.

According to UNESCO, day one saw the participants list the challenges around them: clean drinking water, waste, ocean health, safe food for fishing communities, and climate pressure.

The group then spent the week turning those problems into real business ideas.

"One team designed a solar-powered “chilly bin” so fishermen in remote villages can keep their catch fresh without needing ice," a UNESCO statement read. "Another created a sun-powered water purifier to help communities with poor access to safe drinking water.

Teams develop practical solutions for Pacific communities, including solar-powered water purifiers and fish storage systems, during hands-on sessions at the bootcamp. Photo/UNESCO/ICTP/Joe Niemala

For many, the biggest shift was personal. Fredson Massing from Vanuatu says the training changed how he works.

“I walked away … with clearer frameworks, better problem-solving habits and a stronger understanding of how to apply what we learned in real situations,” his statement reads.

Two fisheries students from the Solomon Islands also stated that the experience opened their eyes to what they could achieve.

Gretchen Kapu says in her report that hearing from Pacific entrepreneurs gave her strength.

“Hearing from entrepreneurs like Sam Saili and Aniruddh Kolekar … that mindset was exactly what I needed to push through the initial stress and self-doubt.”

Natasha Wa’aria says she learned things she had never been exposed to before: “One thing I learned that was new to me was the concept of patent in entrepreneurship … I am very grateful to the organisers because I would not know anything about these things if it weren’t for them.”

Bringing science and business together Pacific-style

The bootcamp mixed science, innovation, and business training, but in a Pacific way.

Participants worked with mentors from the region, learning about business plans, how to pitch ideas, and how to understand markets, skills that many young Pacific researchers are rarely taught.

Participants and their trainers at the Fiji bootcamp. Photo/UNESCO/Fiji National University

UNESCO says the goal is to help young Pacific people use science to solve real local problems, and turn their ideas into income, jobs, and stronger communities.

UNESCO and ET Cube say this is only the first step. They want more programmes like this to reach young people across the region so that local innovation becomes normal, not rare.

For the 27 young scientists who completed the bootcamp, the message is clear: they don’t need to leave the Pacific to build something powerful. They can build it here, for their own people.