Full-time Changemaker and Movement Builder
Founder of Climate Catalysts | Project Lead of the Young Eco-Stars Programme | Project Green Challenge Champion | Acure Green Award Recipient | SUSI Alumni Grant Recipient | Winner of the Citizen Diplomacy Action Fund | Study of the United States Institutes for Global Student Leaders Programme on Climate Change and the Environment by the U.S. Department of State | 30 Under 30 for Environmental Education (EE) by the North American Association for Environmental Education, the Global Environmental Education Partnership, and the U.S. Forest Service | Recipient of AFS Youth Assembly on Climate Entrepreneurship Academy at New York University and UNHQ.
By fostering our passion for sustainability and environmental justice, we create a legacy of hope and responsibility for generations to come.
Samintang is an Indonesian climate justice activist, community development leader, climate diplomacy advocate, and environmental educator with more than eight years of experience managing development programs across diverse cultural contexts at the domestic, regional, and global levels. As part of the Task Force Management at the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Center for Eastern Indonesia under the LOCALISE SDGs UCLG ASPAC–APEKSI initiative, she is leading multiple initiatives that advance sustainable development through both grassroots campaigns and policy recommendations, with a strong focus on climate-vulnerable groups, particularly blue-collar workers and youth. At the 2022 Indonesia Development Forum, she was the youngest invited speaker, presenting her paper on edible packaging innovation using Amorphophallus muelleri Blum to an audience of more than 10,000. She is the Co-Founder, Board Member, and Communications Director of Climate Catalysts, a global-to-local nonprofit making climate adaptation and mitigation information accessible through multi-level engagement. Using a human-centric design-thinking approach, she spreads climate knowledge through inquiry-based learning, book authoring, hands-on initiatives, and contemplative practices. She is also the Founder of Tarbiyah for Climate, an interfaith environmentalism initiative working with communities of faith to educate, connect, and advocate for healthier, more resilient societies. Additionally, she serves as an Evaluator Board Member at Turning Green, a Grant Assistant at the Climate Mobility Community Action Network (CMCAN), and a member of the Climate and Education Task Team at Theirworld (USA/UK). An alumna of the University of Hasanuddin (Economics and Business) and the University of Nevada, Reno (Climate Change and the Environment, U.S. Department of State Exchange Program), she has represented Indonesia at numerous international forums. These include the AFS Youth Assembly on Climate Entrepreneurship, the International Youth Day Summit at the UN Headquarters in New York, the Project Green Challenge Summit in California, the Global Engagement Summit in Chicago, and she will soon participate in the Youth4Climate Pre-COP30 in Brazil. Samintang has built strong partnerships with organizations such as UNDP, the Italian Ministry of Environment and Energy Security (MASE), EARTHDAY.ORG, Africa Finance Corporation, Common Purpose, Ernst & Young, Harvard University, the U.S. Department of State, Global Ties U.S., KONEKSI, and Roots, among others. She recently joined the Australia–Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program, promoting eco-theology between the two countries in collaboration with Mosaic Connections. She also served as Project Leader and Curriculum Developer for the Young Eco-Stars Programme, a cross-continental climate leadership and exchange program connecting youth from Nigeria, Indonesia, and the USA. Funded by the U.S. Department of State and Global Ties U.S., the program collaborates with experts from Harvard University and Ernst & Young. Her work focuses on climate education, youth mobilization and inclusion in decision-making spaces, the water–food–energy–ecosystem nexus in Asia-Pacific, North America, and Sub-Saharan Africa, and faith-based advocacy on climate and environmental issues. Her impactful contributions to disaster-resilient farming practices, environmental education, and climate resilience have earned her numerous recognitions, including being named among the 30 Under 30 for Environmental Education by the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), and the U.S. Forest Service, as well as the #YouthforEarth Green Pillar 50 Under 30.
[Washington, D.C., August 14, 2024] At the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE), we believe in the power of amazing young leaders to create positive change in communities around the world. We are excited to announce our ninth class of innovative leaders under age 30 who are using environmental education (EE) to tackle the biggest issues facing our planet.
The 30 awardees in this year’s EE 30 Under 30 Class of 2024 range in age from 21 to 30, hail from 19 countries, and work with a wide range of audiences to tackle complex environmental and social issues in their communities. From sharing Indigenous voices and knowledge through visual storytelling in the Philippines to equipping young people as environmental leaders through hackathons in Argentina to coordinating youth climate summits in Ghana, their collective work is reaching more than 300,000 people each year, many of whom are on the frontlines of climate crises.
As EE 30 Under 30, these exceptional young leaders in EE will not only create change in their communities but also inspire and mentor others with their commitment to meaningful change. The Class of 2024 will join the global EE 30 Under 30 community of passionate and forward-thinking leaders and will receive ongoing support through networking, peer mentoring, global recognition, grant opportunities, and professional development.
Since 2016, NAAEE's EE 30 Under 30 program has recognized 271 individuals from 53 countries who are making a difference through environmental education. This program is made possible by NAAEE, the Global Environmental Education Partnership (GEEP), and the U.S. Forest Service.
Ajay Sawant, India, 22; Alvian Wardhana, Indonesia, 22; Amy Bray, United Kingdom, 21; Birndze Bete Dzekewong, Cameroon, 30; CJ Greco, USA, 28; Cristina Poggio, Guatemala, 21; Dajawn Williams, USA, 28; Favour Eragbie Ochuwa, Nigeria, 23; Greta Delfino, United Kingdom, 25; Holly (Hao) Liou, Taiwan, 24; Jiapsi Gomez, USA, 25; Katarína Zvaríková, Slovakia, 30; Khou Jerome, Malaysia, 28; kier blake, USA; Kristine Belashvili, Georgia, 29; Luke Ehler, Canada, 30; Luke James Gibbons, Ireland, 27; Margaret Impraim, Ghana, 30; Martin Griffin, Argentina, 29; Mmachukwu Loretta Obimdike, Nigeria, 30; Nuria Mohamed Salim, Kenya, 29; Rachael Lewandowski-Sarette, USA, 29; Richard Muraya, Kenya, 28; Robert Mansaloon Cahapon, Philippines, 30; Samintang, Indonesia, 23; Sharan V, India, 30; Sol Reiman, Argentina, 25; Sonya Peres, United Kingdom, 29; Thanh Nga Nguyen, Vietnam, 26; Zuhura Ahmad, Tanzania, 25
East Asia and the Pacific Local Engagement Coordinator for the TechGirls Programme
Samintang has recently been honored with a prestigious award for his exceptional contributions as a Local Engagement Coordinator (LEC), a role filled by distinguished alumni of U.S. Department of State programs such as TechWomen, Fulbright, IVLP, YALI, and more. These dedicated professionals are driven by a passionate commitment to empowering girls in their countries and fostering the next generation of global STEM leaders.
As an LEC, Samintang plays a pivotal role in enhancing the impact of U.S. Embassy programs. He excels in outreach efforts during recruitment, guiding families through the preparation process for international travel, and translating critical pre-departure information to ensure clarity and accessibility. Beyond these essential tasks, Samintang provides invaluable mentorship to TechGirls during their follow-on projects, demonstrating a profound dedication to nurturing young talent and supporting their journey towards success.
Through his unwavering dedication and expertise, Samintang exemplifies the transformative power of global education and mentorship, making a lasting difference in the lives of aspiring STEM leaders.
Impactful Projects and Engagements
Young Eco-Stars Programme (YES-P)
Climate Catalysts: Empowering Tomorrow's Advocates
Reproductive Health Awareness Initiative
Financial Literacy & Digital Marketing Empowerment (Takalar Regency, South Sulawesi)
Circular Economy Project: Collaborated with local collectors and scavengers for recycling waste management with Mallsampah.
Delegate and Speaker
AFS Youth Assembly on Climate Entrepreneurship Academy 2025
New York University and the United Nations Headquarters
Delegate and Speaker
"Raise Her Voice, Build Her Power: Interrogating GBV Amid Climate Emergencies Workshop" 2025
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Presenter
Global Engagement Summit 2025
Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
Delegate and Speaker
ASEAN SDGs Youth Camp 2024
Salaya, Thailand
Speaker
Project Green Challenge 2023
San Francisco Bay Area, California, USA
Speaker
TEKNOFEST 2023
Istanbul, Republic of Turkiye
Speaker
SUSI Final Presentation 2023
New Orleans, Louisiana, USA
Keynote Speaker
Indonesia Development Forum 2022
Bali, Indonesia