Peru: Young researcher receives recognition for environmental work

Some good news: Junior Adrián Figueroa Mirada, an environmental engineer and mountain researcher, has received a significant honor. He was selected by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) to join the 2026 cohort of “EE 30 Under 30.” He will represent Peru as one of the six finalists for the 2026 Green Skills Award—an international recognition promoted by the European Training Foundation (ETF).

This international honor recognizes 30 young leaders under the age of 30 who are fostering more sustainable communities through education.

Adrián Figueroa, a native of Huaraz in the Ancash region, was selected for his project, “Young Ambassadors for the Glaciers” (*Jóvenes Embajadores por los Glaciares*). Developed in the Cordillera Blanca, this youth-led initiative aims to strengthen the climate leadership of young people in the Callejón de Huaylas. The project integrates scientific research, environmental education, and youth leadership, while also promoting the participation of Andean communities in the conservation of their ecosystems.

“This recognition is a very significant achievement—not just for me personally, but also for all the individuals and organizations that have supported my journey in environmental education since 2017,” stated Adrián Figueroa.

Representatives from the six finalist projects will attend the 2026 Torino Global Skills Summit, to be held this November in Turin, Italy, where the winners will be announced.

Redacción Perú