Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge: Building resilient youth in Atlantis, South Africa

This case study examines the Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge (AREC), an annual non-curriculum inter-school competition for junior and high school students in Atlantis, South Africa. Launched in 2016 by GreenCape in partnership with the City of Cape Town, the programme aims to build resilience among youth by exposing them to the green economy and renewable energy sector to prepare them for future employment opportunities, particularly those linked to the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ).

• The Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge (AREC) aims to build youth resilience by inspiring creativity and innovation, creating awareness of renewable energy career opportunities, and collaborating with local schools.
• The programme has experienced significant growth in participation since its 2016 pilot. In 2016, it started with 20 high school participants from three schools; by 2019, participation grew to 389 students (303 junior and 86 high school) across 14 schools.
• AREC has evolved its themes annually to increase inclusivity and reach different skill sets: 2016 focused on general renewable energy for high schools; 2017 on wind energy (models, videos, or posters); 2018 on solar PV consumer products; and 2019 on a renewable energy mural to engage students with artistic talents.
• The initiative is designed to be inclusive by removing academic barriers to entry, allowing teams of up to five individuals, and reducing required resource inputs to ensure success in impoverished communities.
• The programme is strategically linked to the Atlantis Special Economic Zone (ASEZ), a greentech manufacturing hub designated in June 2018. The ASEZ is expected to create 1,200 direct jobs by 2022, and AREC seeks to equip local youth with the skills to access these opportunities.
• The case study identifies severe unemployment challenges in South Africa and Atlantis. Nationally, the youth unemployment rate is 39%, while the 2011 census for Atlantis showed an unemployment rate of 26.6% and noted that only 32% of residents aged 20+ had completed high school or higher education.

APA

GreenCape (2019). Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge: Building resilient youth in Atlantis, South Africa. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape_Resilience-Case-Study-2_Skills_AREC_30-09-2019-3.pdf

Chicago

GreenCape. Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge: Building resilient youth in Atlantis, South Africa. 2019. https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape_Resilience-Case-Study-2_Skills_AREC_30-09-2019-3.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=GreenCape |title=Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge: Building resilient youth in Atlantis, South Africa |date=2019 |url=https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape_Resilience-Case-Study-2_Skills_AREC_30-09-2019-3.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{greencape2019atlantis, author = {{GreenCape}}, title = {{Atlantis Renewable Energy Challenge: Building resilient youth in Atlantis, South Africa}}, institution = {GreenCape}, year = {2019}, url = {https://greencape.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/GreenCape_Resilience-Case-Study-2_Skills_AREC_30-09-2019-3.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }