10/04/2026
Floods. Droughts. Uncertainty. As young people from Southeast Asia, Team RIFFAI has lived through the harsh realities of climate change and decided to fight back from the most unexpected place: space.
Founded by a team of passionate engineers, scientists, and strategists, RIFFAI was built on one bold mission — to Bring Space Down to Earth. Using satellite technology and advanced AI, they transform space data into real-time insights that empower governments, cities, and industries to better prepare for a rapidly changing planet.
Their work tackles plastic pollution in our oceans head-on, tracking waste patterns from satellite coverage across the globe, then applying AI to turn that data into clear, actionable intelligence. But their vision extends even further: building a more climate-resilient world where innovation meets impact at every level of society.
At their environmental satellite AI exhibition, over 3,000 engineering students and innovators visited their booth, walking away with a deeper understanding of how space technology can be a powerful force for environmental protection.
As they put it: "We're not just observing the future from above, we're building it from the ground up." And with every dataset analysed and every insight shared, Team RIFFAI is proving exactly that.
This initiative is part of the ASEAN-Japan Young Environmental Leaders Network (AJYELN), organized by the ASEAN-Japan Centre, which empowers young leaders across the region to build a cleaner ocean and a more sustainable future.
Inspired by Team RIFFAI? Start your own AJYELN journey!
Apply for the 2026 Cohort: https://bit.ly/join_AJYELN2026
Key Dates:
Application Deadline: 15 April 2026
Shortlisted Announcement: 15 May 2026
Interview / Idea Pitching: 22 May 2026 (TBC)
Final Selection: 5 June 2026
More info: https://www.asean.or.jp/en/event-info/20260306/
