KUALA LUMPUR: Meraki Daat Initiative is proud to announce its victory in the prestigious United Nations Development Program’s (UNDP) Malaysia Island Innovation Challenge (amongst four other winners), a groundbreaking initiative that recognizes and empowers innovative solutions for island communities.
Its winning submission, the “Dive & Build” initiative, incorporates a revolutionary approach to eco-sustainability by integrating marine conservation efforts with sustainable construction using eco-bricks made from recycled plastics. This achievement marks a significant milestone in its mission to drive eco-sustainability, community-based tourism and ocean conservation while putting Sabah on the global map for sustainable development, eco-tourism and innovation.
Meraki Daat’s innovative Dive & Build, the brainchild of its Charter President and Founder, Michelle de la Harpe, RTCA is a project that merges two critical environmental efforts.
Marine ecosystem restoration and sustainable waste management. Through this initiative, divers actively collect and repurpose ocean plastics, transforming them into eco-bricks that are then used for infrastructure projects within island communities.
This solution not only addresses plastic pollution but also fosters sustainable development by providing eco-friendly building materials for local needs, such as landscaping, community centres, schools, tourism facilities, pathways and even small roads which is a dire need in the state.
This success was made possible through strong collaboration with international bodies, local government agencies and industry stakeholders.
“As part of our efforts to advance our vision, we had the privilege of paying courtesy visits to the Deputy Chief Minister III and State Minister of Works, Datuk IR Shahelmey bin Yahya, as well as Sabah Tourism Board CEO, Julinus Jimit who showed their support and commitment. These meetings reaffirmed our shared commitment to positioning Sabah as a leader in sustainable eco-tourism and environmental conservation,” said Michelle.
“Meraki Daat’s Dive & Build innovation has the potential to be a game-changer in addressing environmental challenges while creating economic opportunities. By leveraging Sabah’s rich marine biodiversity and strong tourism sector, we aim to attract global attention to our sustainable model, positioning the state as a beacon for eco-tourism and marine conservation worldwide.”
“This achievement is not just a victory for Meraki Daat but for Sabah as a whole. The Dive & Build initiative showcases how innovative thinking can tackle environmental issues while fostering sustainable development. This project has the potential to set a global benchmark for island conservation efforts and I am truly blessed to be part of this meaningful initiative,” said AR Adora Sharihman, Project Manager for Project Picasso- Eco Bricks.
“We look forward to leveraging this victory to expand our initiatives, foster greater partnerships, and create a lasting impact in ocean conservation and sustainable tourism,” she added.
