Regenerative Futures: Youth-Led Micro-Industry Training

Youth economic advancement

County of Los Angeles (select only if your project has a countywide benefit)

Pilot or new project, program, or initiative (testing or implementing a new idea)

Los Angeles County's BIPOC and historically underserved communities, particularly in areas with high CalEnviroScreen scores, face compounded challenges of environmental degradation, economic disenfranchisement, and limited access to green job opportunities.These neighborhoods often grapple with higher pollution levels, reduced access to quality education, and systemic barriers to economic mobility.The lack of targeted, culturally competent programs that address both environmental justice and economic empowerment exacerbates these disparities.There is an urgent need for initiatives that provide regenerative education and pathways to sustainable livelihoods, enabling residents to transform their communities from within.

Akoben & Co.’s Regenerative Futures Program is a 5-month initiative centered on building green career pathways and regenerative literacy among BIPOC and historically underserved communities in Los Angeles County. The program will deliver a series of immersive, hands-on workshops designed to introduce participants to regenerative practices through food-based micro-enterprise.
Over the course of the program, youth and adults will explore accessible, space-efficient farming techniques such as mushroom cultivation, microgreens, and value-added food production. Each month includes a targeted workshop complemented by a community event that connects regenerative education to cultural engagement and family-friendly activities.
New to the program is the Regenerative Literacy Workshop Series, a monthly offering that expands the curriculum to adults seeking a deeper understanding of regenerative systems, including soil health, circular economies, urban food justice, and climate adaptation. These sessions are specifically designed to increase community capacity for environmental stewardship and green workforce readiness.
This initiative is grounded in community-led design and will culminate with a community showcase, highlighting participant projects and promoting pathways to further training or entrepreneurship. It supports youth economic advancement while creating intergenerational impact in LA neighborhoods most affected by environmental inequities.

If Akoben & Co.'s work is successful, Los Angeles County will see a thriving network of BIPOC-led regenerative micro-enterprises, particularly in communities with low CAL Enviroscreen scores. These neighborhoods will gain increased access to climate-resilient food systems, green jobs, and culturally relevant environmental education. Youth and adults will develop entrepreneurial and ecological skills, fostering intergenerational leadership in sustainability. As a result, LA County will move closer to environmental justice, food sovereignty, and equitable economic opportunity in the communities that need it most.