UTRECHT, Netherlands—University students from Kafr El Sheikh University in Egypt are the 2023 Enactus World Cup Champions with their social enterprise, Hermetia. The team won the competition from a field of 29 challengers comprised of National Champions from Enactus country operations around the world.
The Enactus team from Tunis Business School in Tunisia clinched Second Place at Royal Jaarbeurs’ Beatrix Theatre in Utrecht. Rounding out the Final Four teams included Monash University of Australia and Wilfrid Laurier University of Canada. This year represents Enactus Egypt’s fifth consecutive championship. The Kafr El Sheikh University team presented a social enterprise that leverages concepts of the circular economy by utilizing the black soldier fly to address challenges such as food waste and sharp increases in the cost of fish and animal feed.
At Enactus World Cup, students compete, collaborate, make intercultural connections, and are inspired to further develop skills that foster social entrepreneurship. The Enactus World Cup is the culmination of a year or more of innovation by students launching social enterprises as part of Enactus, a network of leaders committed to using business as a catalyst for positive social and environmental impact. Enactus educates, inspires, and supports young people to use innovation and entrepreneurship to solve the world’s biggest problems utilizing the framework of the United Nations’ 17 Global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The competition was just one of many elements of the four-day Enactus World Cup. Other events included the Finals of the Action with Africa Challenge, SDG Excursions highlighting social innovations around Utrecht, a screening of the Enactus France documentary, “Always Dare,” and a special session to discuss SDG 12: Responsible Consumption & Production. Chair of the Enactus Country Network Steering Committee, Ian Aitken of Canada, was recognized for his longtime commitment to the organization with the Global Champion award. “My dedication to Enactus is fueled by the amazing students the organization serves. Each year, I return to Enactus World Cup to see their talents and passion applied to improve the lives of people, our planet, and our prosperity. Enactus has a lifelong impact on and through students,” said Aitken.
Enactus also conferred the Global Alumni of the Year award to Mirko De Pascalis, an alumnus of Enactus Italy. To emphasize that sustainable mobility is a collective call to action, De Pascalis biked from his home in Italy to the event in the Netherlands covering more than 1,200 Km.
The event would not have been possible without the host country Enactus Netherlands, and much-needed support from joint venture partner Enactus Canada. “We look back on a wonderful event and are proud to have had the opportunity to host it in the Netherlands for the first time. I especially want to thank those who came together to make this Enactus World Cup possible,” says Enactus Netherlands Country Director Nancy Moorman.
Event sponsors included the Ford Motor Company Fund which provided $90,000USD in cash prizes to help scale the social enterprises of the Final Four teams, as well as corporate, philanthropic, and individual donors.
The Enactus World Cup 2024 will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan. This is the first time the event will be held in Central Asia.
About Enactus
Enactus is a global movement and nonprofit organization focused on developing the next generation of leaders through the creation of social enterprises that address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Enactus is present in 33 countries, at more than 1,700 universities, to activate youth as a catalyst for change. In 2022, Enactus educated 42,450 students who used innovation and entrepreneurship to positively impact 13.1 million people.
About the Enactus World Cup
Annually, the most impactful and talented young social entrepreneurs from around the world come together during the Enactus World Cup. Last year, this global convening and impact competition took place in San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the Enactus World Cup 2024 will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Enactus World Cup showcases the valuable contributions Enactus teams worldwide make and how the power of entrepreneurship can change the world. Learn more at enactus.nl/worldcup