Youth changemakers to compete for RM77,000 in prizes as Malaysia’s longest-running environmental programme enters final stage
UMW Toyota Motor today announced the top 15 finalists for the 24th edition of Toyota Eco Youth (TEY), Malaysia’s longest-running environmental education programme. The finalists were selected for their ability to translate environmental challenges into innovative, practical projects that deliver real community impact.
This year’s projects address challenging issues ranging from reducing household food waste and minimising textile and e-waste in the landfills, to improving air and water quality in urban centres and encouraging behavioural change in waste sorting and recycling. Beyond creativity and feasibility, each project was assessed for its potential to create lasting benefits that extend beyond school grounds.
From across Malaysia, the 15 shortlisted teams stood out for their ideas, leadership and commitment to making tangible change:
| NO | SCHOOL | TEAM NAME | STATE |
| 1 | SMK MOHD KHALID | ESYNERGY | JOHOR |
| 2 | SMK TAMAN NUSA DAMAI | ECOSPARK | JOHOR |
| 3 | SMPK VOKASIONAL INDAHPURA | BINTANG SENJA | JOHOR |
| 4 | KOLEJ SULTAN ABDUL HAMID | SAHCTEY | KEDAH |
| 5 | SMK DATO’ SYED OMAR | KUNI SMKDSO | KEDAH |
| 6 | SMK KHIR JOHARI | THE GREEN MACHINE | KEDAH |
| 7 | SMK KUBANG BEMBAN | EARTHSAVVY | KELANTAN |
| 8 | SMK RAJA PEREMPUAN | RPS INNOVATOR | PERAK |
| 9 | SMK DATUK HAJI MOHD NOR AHMAD | PLANET PALS | PULAU PINANG |
| 10 | SMK PONDOK UPEH | MARINA TEAM | PULAU PINANG |
| 11 | SMK BALUNG | PLANETA BRILHANTE | SABAH |
| 12 | SMK BAGAN TERAP | INNOVA GENIUS | SELANGOR |
| 13 | SMK KOTA KEMUNING | THE4CHAMPS | SELANGOR |
| 14 | SMK PENDAMARAN JAYA | ECOGEN | SELANGOR |
| 15 | SMK RAJA MAHADI | THE GREEN WARRIORS | SELANGOR |
These finalists represent more than just ideas on paper. They are stepping up with hands-on solution that not only improve their schools but uplift entire communities. Ahead of the announcement, Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor, visited one of the participating schools to observe how students are applying Toyota’s structured problem-solving approach to tackle pressing environmental challenges.
“The Toyota Eco Youth programme demonstrates the power of starting young, where students are equipped with the knowledge, skills and confidence to take on real-world environmental challenges said “Datuk Ravindran K., President of UMW Toyota Motor Through this initiative, we see how the Toyota Way is already taking root in the next generation. Kaizen inspires them to keep improving their ideas and solutions. Genchi Genbutsu reminds them to go to the source and understand problems firsthand, something I saw firsthand during a recent school project visit. And Respect for People is reflected in how they collaborate, show empathy and lead within their communities. These young changemakers are not just participants in a programme, they are already putting Toyota’s values into action and showing that purposeful leadership can create lasting impact.”
The finalists will showcase their projects at the Toyota Eco Youth Exhibition and Convention from 27 – 28 October 2025 at Wyndham Acmar, Klang. Activities include judging, mentoring and project showcases, culminating in the closing and prize giving ceremony on 29 October.
Prizes include RM30,000 for the champion, RM20,000 for second place, RM10,000 for third place, plus additional category and consolation prizes, totalling RM77,000.
Building on a Legacy of Youth-Led Impact
Since the launch in March 2025 for this year, TEY received over 120 project submissions from secondary schools nationwide, demonstrating the readiness of Malaysia’s youth to step up as sustainability leaders. This year, UMW Toyota Motor raised its overall programme support to RM 167,000 in cash prizes and grants, underscoring its long-term commitment to empowering the next generation of changemakers.
Toyota Eco Youth continue to embody Toyota’s Mobility for All vision, ensuring that young Malaysians are not only mobile but also empowered to build a greener, more sustainable future for their communities.
Journey with TEY 2025 and see how young Malaysians are driving change & steering their communities toward sustainability: https://www.toyota.com.my/toyotaecoyouth/.
