LocationsSamoa’s Young Innovators turn Community Challenges into Solutions through Samsung Solve for Tomorrow 2026
September 16, 2026
Students and teachers celebrate at the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Samoa 2026 Youth Innovation Challenge Final Award Ceremony in Apia.
The Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Samoa 2026–Youth Innovation Challenge has successfully concluded after eight weeks of research, design and problem-solving, culminating in a final award ceremony at the Samoa Culture and Arts Centre in Malifa on August 14th. Bringing together 18 Year 11 students from three Samoan secondary schools, the programme gave young people the opportunity to identify challenges in their communities and develop practical, locally relevant solutions; building confidence, skills and a stronger sense of their role as problem-solvers and changemakers.
Delivered through a partnership between the Ministry of Education and Culture (MEC), Samsung NZ, UNDP Samoa and Bytewatchers Samoa, the programme guided students from Leifiifi College, Maluafou College and St Mary’s College through a structured design-thinking process using science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM). With the support of teacher mentors, students moved from research and data gathering to brainstorming, prototype development and final presentations.
The teams explored community issues across Climate and Environment, Health and Wellbeing, Digital and Technology, Culture and Education, and Community Wellbeing and Substance Abuse Prevention. They were encouraged not simply to propose ideas, but to understand the problems they were addressing, gather evidence and consider whether their solutions could work in practice. The programme also placed particular emphasis on the meaningful use of artificial intelligence and inclusive design, encouraging students to think about how innovation can respond to diverse community needs.
For the students, the experience extended beyond a school competition. Through the process, they strengthened their confidence, research and analytical skills, teamwork and ability to communicate and defend their ideas. Their efforts were especially significant given that the programme was developed and delivered while Samoa was under a state of emergency and coincided with school examinations. Despite these challenges, all three teams completed and submitted their projects.
“Samoa has always found its way across open water. This programme exists to make sure the next generation of navigators has both the stars above them and the tools in their hands,” said Faumuina Gaualofa Matalavea Sa’aga, UNDP Assistant Resident Representative, Governance and Prosperity Unit.
The final ceremony recognised the achievements of all three schools. Leifiifi College received the Gold Prize, followed by Maluafou College with Silver and St Mary’s College with the Bronze Prize. Leifiifi College also received the Presentation Award and Innovation Award, while Maluafou College received the Community Award.
1st Prize – Gold: Leifiifi College
2nd Prize – Silver: Maluafou College
3rd Prize – Bronze: St Mary's College with their teachers and one of the judges, Ma’atautogia Okalani Mariner (2nd from left)
The judging process assessed projects not only for creativity, but also for feasibility, potential impact and inclusion. Students were given the opportunity to demonstrate that their ideas could move beyond concepts towards practical solutions for their communities.
The success of the programme also highlighted the importance of partnerships for sustainable development. MEC helped shape the programme to reflect the Samoan education context, Samsung NZ brought the global Solve for Tomorrow initiative to Samoa, UNDP Samoa supported the programme as a development partner, and Bytewatchers Samoa provided local technical and facilitation support. Together, the partners created a platform for young people to develop ideas, test solutions and engage directly with issues affecting their communities.
The collaboration reflects the spirit of Sustainable Development Goal 17–Partnerships for the Goals, demonstrating how government, the private sector, the United Nations and local expertise can combine strengths to expand opportunities for young people and support locally driven solutions.
For UNDP Samoa, initiatives such as Solve for Tomorrow are also an investment in the country’s next generation of problem-solvers and change-makers. By creating a pathway from identifying a problem, to researching it, to designing and testing a solution, the programme helps young people build skills and confidence that can support future education, employment, entrepreneurship and community leadership.
The successful completion of the 2026 challenge is a reminder that youth empowerment is not only about preparing young people for the future. It is about recognising that young Samoans are already capable of contributing to the future they want to see.
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