Purpose gives direction to action. It’s the thread that connects who we are with what the world needs. In an age marked by ecological disruption and social inequality, purpose transforms anxiety into agency by turning concern into courage and ideas into impact. Yet discovering it isn’t always simple. For many people, purpose begins as a question: What kind of world do I want to help build, and how can my life contribute to it?
Across cultures, people have long sought ways to connect meaning and action. In Japan, the concept of ikigai — “a reason for being” — captures the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what can sustain you. Modern research in positive psychology and education echoes this wisdom: having a sense of purpose is linked to higher well-being, persistence, and resilience. Studies from the University of California, Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center and the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence show that purpose strengthens motivation and protects against burnout, especially when paired with community and reflection.
Purpose also evolves. Passions shift, skills grow, and the needs of our communities change. The goal isn’t to find one fixed calling, but to continually align values and actions as life unfolds. The philosophy of Essentialism, which focuses on “the vital few over the trivial many,” offers a companion lens, reminding us that meaningful work requires boundaries as well as drive. True purpose balances passion with sustainability; it fuels energy without consuming it.
Around the world, young leaders are redefining what purposeful climate action looks like. Activists such as Xiye Bastida and Vanessa Nakate connect ecological restoration with justice and inclusion, reminding us that protecting the planet also means protecting people. Turning Green and our partner organizations like Friends of the Earth share the same ethos: helping students and communities turn personal conviction into collective action. From campus efforts to eliminate single-use plastics to global movements demanding corporate accountability, purpose becomes most powerful when it’s shared.
The journey toward purpose is not a straight line. It’s an ongoing dialogue between self-knowledge and service, curiosity and commitment. For those who have reached this stage of Project Green Challenge, purpose may already be emerging — in the causes that move you, the teammates who inspire you, or the inspiration that keeps you learning long after the day’s challenge ends. As you look ahead, let ikigai guide your next steps. Seek the overlap between what lights you up and what lifts the world. Purpose isn’t found once; it is cultivated — day by day, choice by choice, together.
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Purpose begins with self-awareness. Ikigai — the intersection of what you love, what you’re good at, what the world needs, and what can sustain you — helps turn your values into direction. Instead of trying to find all the answers right away, notice patterns and connections in your life. Purpose grows from paying
attention.
You’ve come so far! Now’s the moment to pause, reflect, and tell your story — to see how your purpose has evolved and where it might lead to next.
Purpose becomes real when we act with others. Every small step shared with a friend, classmate, or community group builds momentum — and shows that lasting change grows through connection.
Each Greener Winner will receive:
Each Greenest Winner will receive:
