Education

Annual Impact Report 2019

Empowering through education

Plastic pollution is a whale of a problem. (See what we did there?) While we think it’s important for people to realise it’s out there – hence all the awareness efforts – that’s not enough. Because the more you really understand it, the more likely you might be able to solve it. Get ready for our people-empowering education highlight of 2019.

“Dopper offers educational programmes and funds research because in the first place this helps people to see the need for change. But second and most importantly; it empowers people to make that change themselves.”

- Anneke Hendriks, Senior Project Manager Education & Impact Investment

Changing the world. One thesis at a time.

Did you know our founder Merijn isn’t the only person with ambitious, ocean-saving ideas? No, sirree. We found a whole group of people with kick-ass sustainable projects, raring to go and make a difference. You’ve probably heard of them; they’re called students. We believe that this next generation will come up with the solutions to the world’s clean drinking water issues and plastic pollution.

Annual thesis award

Obviously, we’re thrilled for them to join us in creating our wave of change. Which is exactly what they do during the Dopper Changemaker Challenge. A thesis award to accelerate the development of solutions that have a big impact on the plastic and water issues we’re currently facing.

Students who take part are guaranteed to gain valuable connections and can win funding up to €5,000, stage time and media coverage. In 2019, the competition was held in four countries around the world: the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom and Nepal. Worldwide impact.

1st place, the Netherlands

Roos Kolkman. She develops education packages for teachers to educate and inspire their students on plastic pollution.

1st place, Germany

Carla Maria Scagnetti. Combining life cycle analysis with marine litter analysis, she enables consumers to make choices based on a wider concept of the sustainable footprint of a product’s packaging.

1st place, the United Kingdom

Marcus Rodin. His project aims to convert kelp into a usable product, may that be for packaging, building, or other suitable applications.

1st place, Nepal

Anisha Maharjan. Her project aims to reduce water wastage due to soil conditions. She is creating a model to solve the urban flood problem of Kathmandu valley.

Changemaker Challenge Junior will return

Kids are like really smart people. Just smaller. They’re also the ones that will need to take care of our oceans in the future. Which we know they can do. Because we’ve witnessed their genius with our own eyes.

In 2018, we challenged kids to come up with their solution to plastic pollution during the Dopper Changemaker Challenge Junior. By getting them involved and showing them they can make a difference, the changemaker seed is planted. Cool, right?

That’s why, the Changemaker Challenge Junior will return. Stay tuned.