Smily Academy

Smily Academy & Eco-business projects, Smilers’ profiles and adoptive families

Smily and the Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum

Last December 4th, from the COP28 in Dubai, the NGO Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum – based in Assam (India), launched the “Smily Academy” initiative, “Sustainable Mindset and Inner Level for Youth.” Watch the 1.5 million audience VIDEO here.

Where the legendary Forest Man of India planted a forest, he is now planting a new human consciousness and new entrepreneurial culture with his Smily Academy.

The Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum represents 400 million indigenous peoples from 90 Countries, 20 million of which are distributed into the 97 communities of Assam (India) and was founded by The Forest Man of India, Jadav Payeng, and by Al Gore’s network Indian coordinator for biodiversity, Rituraj Phukan.

Indigenous Peoples are responsible for protecting 85% of worldwide biodiversity and live with an average of 5$ per day. Smily Academy aims to engage with this global network of communities and co-create young, innovative eco-businesses to reverse the direction of regenerative development and accelerate social and environmental impact.

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The Initiative – 2024

Smily Academy aims to train and empower individuals under 30 who aspire to become eco-entrepreneurs of the future with the necessary knowledge, skills, and networks to establish eco-sustainable businesses that contribute positively to society and the environment.

The program features a series of sessions led by esteemed personalities, immersive experiences at Kaziranga National Park and The Forest Man Foundation, and practical workshops. Participants will refine their sustainable business concepts through these activities and transform them into tangible ventures.

The first pilot project will take place in Assam, India, from March 20th to 26th, 2024, and will consist of a learning experience (“Smily Experience”) composed of a week-long immersive program dedicated to fostering the development of eco-sustainable businesses.

A delegation of 30 people: talents, experts, entrepreneurs, and innovators will work on innovative nature-based solutions to be transformed into eco-businesses, tackling the following challenges, part of FAO strategic framework for 2022-2030:

better nutrition
better production
better environment
better life

The full agenda is available HERE.

Partner with Smily Today

Adopt a young talent’s project and contribute to a new eco-entrepreneur generation.

By adopting a project, your company will have the opportunity to:

Mentor a young entrepreneur in the design of his/her project.
Assign one of your business challenges to a young talent.
Scout business opportunities.
Become part of the Smily Experience publications, media communication, book edited by Edible Issue and documentary.

Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project planting 5 million trees in Assam – Here’s the team with Smily Academy founders’ Claudia Laricchia and Rituraj Phukan, who is coordinating the project. This is an example of project work you might adopt!!!

Smily adoptive family

By joining Smily, you will join:

G7 Official engagement group Women7;
Al Gore’s The Climate Reality Project India and South Asia;
UNDP CoFSA, United Nations Development Program Conscious Food Systems Alliance;
World Farmer Markets Coalition;
NNedPRO Cambridge;
ITIR Institute of Transformative Innovation and Research of the University of Studies of Pavia;
EIIS European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability;
Veterans Service Corp/ Promise Ranch Project;
Sumus Italia;
Dot Academy;
Food for Mind;
NovaLab;
Fiordelisi;
Rural Hack;
The Music of the Plants;
GammaDonna;
B Women Italy;
Way2Global;
Cucina Diffusa SoLunch;
ANGI Italian National Association of Young Innovators;
Fireball Federation;
Panbaree Manchaans;
M&M Industries;
Cikod, Center of Indigenous Knowledge and Organizational Development;
The Forest Man Foundation;
NGO Indigenous People’s Climate Justice Forum;
Social Gastronomy Movement;
Thoughts for Food;
Goooders;
Innovator Mag;
The Map Report;
Fortune Italia;
Edible Issue;
Edible Planet Ventures;
Mirandola Comunicazione;
Mahabahu Magazine;
UP TV.

Eco-businesses’ regenerative matrix: 3P

With this spirit, we are shaping our project works to get them ready to become eco-businesses and these project works have been adopted by amazing partners.

Discover here who is doing what, in a first deep dive into the project works as the perfect combination of 4 main elements:

Partners values and needs (PEOPLE);
GenZ and Young talents as the custodians of a new entrepreneural culture, that Smily trains to the Indigenous factor (i.e.regenerative mindset; inner level; consciousness transformation; 4th dimension of sustainability). (PEOPLE)
Indigenous wisdom and insights as custodians of the Mother Earth (PLANET);
Technology as a leverage of sustainability and competitiveness (PROSPERITY);

Smilers’ profiles

Here’s the description of our delegation of Smilers attending the first pilot project in Assam (India) from March 20 to 26. A list of pioneers who believed in the founders’ vision, who invested in this unprecedented regenerative model and who are ready to open a regenerative development street that simply didn’t exist before them, exactly as The Forest Man has done with the Molai Forest, our destination.

The delegation is composed by about 30 people coming from: Africa; United States; Europe and India.

Giorgia Draisci: 1750+ hours trained Classical Hatha Yoga Teacher around the world – previously General Manager | Marketing Consultant | Digital Nomad. Italian teacher of Classical Hatha Yoga touring the world. Trained in India under the guidance of Sadhguru, Yogi, mystic and accomplished teacher. She leads programs that integrate the essence of yogic science and present it to the modern human being. A rare opportunity for self-discovery through powerful tools for personal transformation and inner growth. To live with love, joy and balance, with awareness and to one’s fullest potential. Giorgia leading the consciousness transformation during the Smily XP in Assam.

Nicolò Sancassani: Young Brussels-based professional with a valuable blend of institutional expertise and bottom-up commitment to social and environmental causes. With a keen interest in marginalized communities, he eagerly advocates for community-led initiatives as a tool for nature regeneration in urban and rural contexts. Nicolò kicked off the Smily News in Italy as you can see in our YT channel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_doq1Pr4Q4&t=23s

Utsav Soni: Engineer turned entrepreneur, boasts a diverse professional background spanning various sectors and countries. His work in designing innovative solutions and empowering the next generation of innovators underscores his commitment to transforming the food system in the face of climate change. Utsav is the guardian angel behind Smily and the warm heart who gave us the most beautiful and useful website, as a gift.

Devikha Mohan: Devika operates at the intersection of design, art, culture, and ecology, focusing on research and strategy for socially impactful projects. A transdisciplinary approach to design thinking and problem solving, coupled with an exploration of socio-cultural insights, is fundamental to her practice. From urban restoration to publication design, she showcases a passionate commitment to sustainability through innovativeness.

Claudia Laricchia: Claudia is G7 Advisor for the official engagement group on gender equality: W7, Women7. She led the Italian national pact of women for climate and is Professor on the Indigenous Factor at the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability.

Rosee Devi Phukan: Rosee is a dedicated advocate known for her expertise in legal matters. With a diverse educational background and fluency in multiple languages, she serves her community with distinction. Beyond her legal profession, Rosee Devi is deeply involved in various social and educational initiatives, holding positions of leadership and responsibility. From championing women’s rights to contributing to educational institutions, her commitment to social welfare is commendable. As a certified National Yoga Referee and active member of numerous organizations, Rosee Devi Phukan exemplifies a multifaceted approach to community service and leadership.

Munmuni Payeng: Award-winning conservationist and leader from the Mising community of Assam, leads a rewilding mission in collaboration with local communities. As the Secretary of the Forest Man Foundation and a founding member of Seuj Dhoroni (Green Earth), Munmuni actively engages in environmental and social initiatives, emphasizing the importance of youth involvement in nature conservation.

Matteo Salerno: Engineering student at the University of Studies of Bologna, he embodies a creative and reliable young leadership driven by values and scientific methodology. Co-founder of the project Peter DAN, focused on One Health and eating disorders; for Mind; NNedPRO; Sumus Italia; the Music of the Plants; Edible Issues.

Tuingamla Angkang: Tuingamla belonging to the Tangkhul Naga People of North East India, holds sacred the tradition of seed preservation within her community. She draws upon ancestral knowledge and traditional practices to cultivate climate-resilient seeds, essential for ensuring bountiful harvests. In her entrepreneurial journey, Tuingamla founded ‘Secrets Cosmetics,’ a skincare brand derived from indigenous seeds and farming methods. She emphasizes the importance of sourcing chemical-free ingredients and collaborates closely with indigenous seed farmers to promote better food systems.

Chinmoyee Rajkumari: Chinmoyee is an entrepreneur with a master’s degree in biotechnology. She is dedicated to upholding global safety standards for food through innovation and expertise. With a strong passion for indigenous food and communities, she leverages her local advantage to drive sustainability in the future of food. Chinmoyee aspires to contribute significantly to this field, viewing every venture as an opportunity to deepen her understanding of nature and available opportunities.

Rituraj Phukan: Raj is an Indigenous Leader, author, and climate activist, spearheads Smily initiatives in India, aiming to empower Indigenous People and young talents. With his humble leadership, Raj advocates for environmental conservation and community empowerment on a global scale. He is the Al Gore’s The Climate Reality Project India coordinator for biodiversity.

Mathias Kpetehoto: Mathias is the President and Founder of the NGOs Circle of Grands Pioneers. He is a dedicated advocate for climate action and human rights. With expertise in climate change and organization management, Mathias employs a responsive constructivist approach to educate communities and drive positive change. He also is a climate leader and mentor within Al Gore’s network. He came from Benin (Africa) and will travel 44 hours to be trained by the Smily Academy. His scholarship has been supported by GammaDonna.

Roberta Bonacossa: Roberta has been actively involved in training, development, and strategic planning for environmental and social sustainability. Graduated in law and with a master’s degree in international cooperation in Madrid (Spain), she played a key role in organizing the first Local Conference Of Youth on Climate Change (LCOY) in Italy, supported by the UN and she currently is the chairman of Change For Planet, an Italian based youth empowerment association.

Nadia Paleari: Nadia’s journey began with a fervent passion for positive change, leading her to establish the first Model European Union in Italy and represent the country at the UNCTAD Youth Forum in Geneva, she also is European Climate Pact Ambassador. Her involvement with Youth NGO Change For Planet and attainment of NGO Observer status at the UNFCCC underscore her commitment to combating climate change.

Kuldeep Phukan: Kuldeep is an Indigenous lawyer and an environmentalist. He is committed to using the law as a tool for environmental protection and sustainability. In addition to his legal work, he’s actively involved in environmental advocacy initiatives, collaborating with NGOs, policymakers, and grassroots organizations to drive meaningful change. His contribution to the project work is on the future legal tools and limitations to scale up the regenerative models. These aspects are integrated in cooperation with Pierfrancesco Fasano, Head of Global Legal Office of the Smily Academy and expert on intellectual property.

Luca di Bari: Bank employee, expert in digital transformation and projects and climate activist with a special focus on sea and oceans.

Andrea Grieco: Andrea is an expert in the nexus between human rights and climate change. He is focused on sustainable and regenerative development and advocacy and he is specialized in campaigns and events focused on the Agenda 2030. With a keen interest in geopolitics and lobbying, Andrea advocates for climate refugees and leverages legal expertise to drive positive change. He is one of the most popular digital influencer in Italy.

Roberto Rampi: Roberto is an Italian Senator and policy maker. He works in the creative and cultural industry and he also is an expert and Professor on human rights. He is a writer and philosopher. As Senator he represented the Italian Government in Europe. He also has been deputy Mayor of Vimercate, Lombardy, Italy. He is the Italian focal point for the Smily Experience in Monza, Lombardy, which will be held in October in the park damaged by the climate emergency which has lost 30,000 trees.

Anusha Murthy and Elizabeth Yorke: Edible Issues’ founders: Anusha is an engineer with experience in growing tech startups, specializes in technology adoption to improve the food system. Her work focuses on strengthening the startup ecosystem and leveraging technology to address pressing issues in the food industry. Elizabeth is a chef by training, she has travelled widely and worked with food historians, chefs, scientists and artists. She has been a recipient of the young chefs grant at the Oxford Symposium of Food and Cookery, a MAD grant recipient (Copenhagen). They are the founders of Edible Issues, a brilliant food-tech media platform based in India and known all over the world: https://edibleissues.in/about/

Max and Fabiola Bartoli together with Jair Ravelo: Max is the CEO and co-founder of the International FXC Organization, pioneered the sport of Fireball Extreme Challenge™, holding exclusive rights. As a senior media director/producer since 2003, he orchestrated landmark events at the World Bank from late 2011 to June 2023, including FIAT LUX ILLUMINATING OUR COMMON HOME and All4theGreen during the 2017 Environmental G8. With a career spanning marketing, advertising, and entertainment, Max co-wrote, produced, and directed the sci-fi feature “Atlantis Down,” premiering at prestigious venues in Hollywood and London. He also helmed the 8-episode series “Atlantis Rising: the making of Atlantis Down” for MaXaM Productions Ltd, broadcasted by Cox 11 in the USA. His debut short film, “Ignotus,” garnered 25 international accolades, lauded by Pope Benedectus XVI and screened globally. Before the World Bank, Bartoli directed and produced for renowned advertising agencies in Italy and England, crafting documentaries and TV shows. Based in the US, Bartoli, with a degree in Media Law, is celebrated for his literary achievements and continuous impact on global media. Nowadays, Max is focusing his energies and efforts on marketing and promoting the sport of FXC, a perfect tool to positively impact the lives of many.

Fabiola Lopez Bartoli is the Vice President and co-Founder of the International FXC Federation, is a seasoned Media Producer & Professional Photographer with over a decade of experience. With a keen eye for detail and a penchant for innovation, she has led award-winning projects in sports and food photography, short films, commercials, and live events. With a BA in Photography and a Journalism Degree, she continues to excel in her field, earning numerous accolades such as the Platinum Award for Best Editing and the Platinum Award at the EcoPhoto National Award.

Special Guests:

Prof. Sumantra Ray: a medical doctor with a background in public health nutrition and cardiovascular prevention, embodies a multidisciplinary approach to healthcare. As a professional member of various esteemed organizations, Sumantra’s expertise spans clinical medicine, nutrition, and medical education, reflecting his commitment to advancing public health globally.

Shete Manohar: Global Organic Leader at IFOAM; CEO M&M Industries, India and Smiler since day 1. With over 20 years of work experience in the organic agriculture inputs and organic farming sectors, Shete is a global organic leader at IFOAM – Organics International, the worldwide umbrella organization for the organic movement. He also is the founder and CEO at M & M Industries, which is a manufacturer and exporter of approved organic inputs, providing organic farming solutions and having a market presence in 26 countries. He is passionate about promoting the benefits of organic agriculture for people and the planet, and works with a diverse and dynamic team of experts and stakeholders to advance the organic farming vision and mission.

Shantanoo Bhattacharyya: Independent Consultant, Public Works Department, Government of Assam, India. Shantanoo has progressed to becoming Senior Consultant to the Public Works Department after serving it as Additional Chief Engineer (Mechanical). Fully committed to environmental protection and management, he is pioneering bio-engineering in the field of erosion control and waste management. He handles the environmental engineering works of the department and currently acts as the Nodal Officer for a large wildlife-friendly road project along the Kaziranga National Park of Assam.

Amarjyoti Kashyap: Solid Waste Management and Environment Scientist. President & Chief Functionary, ENVIRON www.environ.org.in Inventor: WASTE ASSIMILATOR (Patent No. 431955) Empaneled Expert on Swachh Bharat Mission, Urban (SBM-U), Govt. of Assam, India. Winner of Millennium Alliance Innovation Award 2017, 3R National Excellence Award 2017, Awarded as the finalist and selected among the top five Innovators of Water and Sanitation in the Mahatma Gandhi International Sanitation Convention, New Delhi 2018, Krishna Kanta Handiqui University National Fellowship 2019 & India Sanitation Coalition Award 2020. The presence of this distinguished guest is owned to the unstoppable work of the young talent Chinmoyee Rajkumari whose project work is supported by Sumus Italia.

Media partners

Italy:

Fortune Italia
The Map Report
Smily News online
Press office Mirandola Comunicazione
UP TV

India and Global:

Smily Academy Newsletter
Innovators Mag
Mahabahu Magazine
European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability

Founders and contacts

Jadav Molai Payeng, is The Forest Man of India. His bright example of a man planting health and biodiversity became legend.

Rituraj Phukan, Indigenous Leader, author, blogger, climate activist, globe trotter, and coordinator of the Indian Al Gore’s network for biodiversity, is leading Smily in India with his humble leadership aimed to empower Indigenous People and young talents.

Claudia Laricchia, CEO of the Smily Academy and the first not-indigenous person leading the Indigenous Peoples’ Forum. G7 Advisor for the official engagement group on gender equality: W7. Professor at the European Institute of Innovation for Sustainability.

Munmuni Payeng is the heart, soul, and arms of The Forest Man Foundation, she is a social media influencer and the most beautiful example of young female leadership protecting nature, biodiversity, and wildlife.

Matteo Salerno is an engineering student at the University of Studies of Bologna. He is a designer, a creative mind, and a precise and reliable young leader driven by values, scientific methodology, and concrete, impactful outcomes.

Meet us online:

BE THE CHANGE. THANK YOU!

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