#Brazil #BE OPEN #Energy Summit #Student Energy #Manaus

BE OPEN and Student Energy Collaborate for a Sustainable Future

In a significant collaboration aimed at harnessing the innovative power of youth in energy transition, BE OPEN joined forces with Student Energy to support the International Student Energy Summit (SES). This year's event took place from February 18 to 21, 2026, in Manaus, Brazil, right in the heart of the Amazon rainforest. Organized by the Federal University of Amazonas, the SES is recognized as the largest and most diverse youth energy event globally, gathering bright young minds from around the world.

The mission of BE OPEN aligns closely with that of SES, both organizations visioning a collective drive among youth to ignite transformative energy solutions. This summit brought together a diverse mix of young change-makers, industry experts, government officials, and private sector representatives, fostering collaboration and shared knowledge to address critical energy issues impacting vulnerable communities worldwide.

During the summit, BE OPEN invited attendees to engage in its annual competition program, aiming to motivate students and recent graduates to innovate solutions for pressing global challenges as outlined by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The foundation has effectively implicated over the years, running six completed competitions and one currently underway. Each competition actively encourages the young generation to develop ideas that could contribute significantly to resolving inadequate systems and promoting a fair and environmentally sustainable future.

Elena Baturina, the founder of BE OPEN, expressed her pride in the initiative, acknowledging the importance of the SES. “We appreciate the recognition of the Student Energy Summit participants. Throughout the seven iterations of our SDG-focused competitions, sustainable energy solutions have consistently emerged as critical proposals, regardless of the designed sustainable goal. Empowering young people with the necessary skills and networks to confront real-world energy and climate challenges, while motivating them to lead in the energy sector, is the best way forward,” she stated.

This collaboration is not new; BE OPEN and Student Energy first united in 2023 when 650 young leaders from over 100 countries convened at New York University in Abu Dhabi, further highlighting their continuous investment in youth-led initiatives. Notably, among the summit's delegates were four winners from the Better Energy by Design 2022/2023 competition, whose attendance at the summit was part of their recognition for exceptional innovative ideas.

The SES serves as a vital platform for young leaders, allowing them to express their voices, share their innovative perspectives, and network with industry professionals. The summit illustrates the potential of young people to drive positive change in energy policies and practices.

The event's backdrop, the lush Amazon, symbolizes the pressing environmental challenges that the global community faces, making this summit even more crucial as participants delve into discussions surrounding sustainable energy solutions that will positively affect both local and global communities.

As we move toward a more sustainable future, initiatives like the SES showcase the importance of youth engagement in energy discussions. By supporting young innovators, both BE OPEN and Student Energy are leading the charge toward a greener, more equitable world, one summit at a time.

This partnership signifies a promising step in redefining the energy landscape and underlining the critical role of youth in shaping a sustainable future. With their vibrant ideas and initiatives, the rising generation holds the key to unlocking innovative solutions that can tackle the energy crisis head-on, affirming the belief that a better, sustainable world can, and will, be built by the youth of today.