But…what is a SuperSquad?
A practical, paid work experience programme where teens engage with real business and societal challenges.
As part of the Autumn 2024 Series, Sherpas partnered with SGN to run a SuperSquad focused on one of the most pressing challenges in achieving net-zero: how to improve energy efficiency in multi-occupancy buildings (MOBs). Over six weeks, 30 teenagers from diverse backgrounds worked to understand the unique barriers in this space and generate solutions that could make a tangible difference.
Adapting general energy-saving strategies to the complex realities of multi-occupancy buildings isn’t simple. MOBs pose distinct challenges around infrastructure, resident coordination, and building-wide accountability. SGN turned to youth innovation to explore fresh, people-centred ideas that could inform future approaches—and to help young people understand their role in shaping a sustainable future.
The Squad’s ideas reflected a bold and practical vision for sustainable, energy-efficient buildings, tackling both structural improvements and community-driven solutions. Their approach didn’t stop at buildings; they also explored smart water management systems to reduce waste and proposed incentives for net-zero energy buildings, ensuring economic viability for sustainable upgrades.
Renewable energy featured prominently, with education and accessibility also key themes, with proposals for smart home technology workshops and public transport incentives tied to building infrastructure.
Their solutions showed a strong commitment to reducing energy waste and fostering a collective approach to sustainability.
While this SuperSquad may not have delivered one breakthrough idea, it surfaced dozens of practical, inspiring, and scalable solutions rooted in real-world challenges. SGN gained a clearer view of how young people interpret net-zero goals and what inclusive innovation could look like at the community level.
For the teenagers, it was a chance to develop meaningful skills, earn money, and prove that even the toughest challenges can be tackled with a fresh perspective.
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Contains a detailed overview of the programmes and a bid support appendix
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