Imagination in action: reflections from Changemaker Week 2 in Stockholm

Going into the second Changemaker Week, I kept coming back to the words, “If not me, who? If not now, when?” These are questions our ten winners have clearly asked themselves, just like so many innovators all over the world trying to fix what's broken.

If the first week of our Changemaker programme was all about discovery and getting to know each other, this week was all about showing how system change looks like in practice and what happens when one person with an idea dares to make it into reality.

This week was special for us in many ways, we got to see the changemakers again after nearly five months, welcoming them to our home base in Stockholm and celebrating ten years of impact with the Global Change Award. The energy was vibrant and filled with warmth. The week was packed: from deep-dive sessions with our partners KTH, Accenture and The Mills Fabrica on leadership, pitch technique, systems change and understanding the investor mindset, to engaging with H&M Group stakeholders and exploring the creative side of circular fashion at & Other Stories. The changemakers connected with alumni, gained fresh investor perspectives and built meaningful connections across the wider GCA network.

It was a moment of recognition too, not just celebrating their brilliant innovations, but their growth as changemakers. Seeing them take the stage at the GCA Summit, connect with industry leaders, and finally receive the Global Change Award trophy was deeply moving. It is a reminder of why we do what we do: to light the spark that helps others carry innovation forward.

The power of collaboration

What really stood out to me was the way the changemakers supported each other during the pitch training and the GCA Summit itself. It is in those honest, vulnerable moments that the most powerful connections are made. When we allow ourselves to be open, we create the space for genuine collaboration, and that is when the magic truly happens.

They have only known each other for a few months, yet they already feel like a tight-knit community. But when you think about it, it makes perfect sense. Each of them is in the midst of building something new, taking bold risks to solve urgent challenges. They understand what it means to face uncertainty with courage. That shared experience creates instant empathy and trust, the foundation of lasting collaboration.

From ideas to impact

When I opened the GCA Summit, I asked: “What if imagination was our most powerful climate solution?” That question stayed with me throughout the week because I could see the answer unfolding in real time. What has been powerful to see is how the changemakers are already thinking beyond their own innovations. They are looking at the systems their ideas live within. Many of them are identifying root causes rather than just symptoms and actively seeking collaborations across sectors to make change possible. They are connecting dots between technology, behaviour and policy, seeing that transformation is not just about better products, but about shifting mindsets and relationships.

And that is where imagination comes in. It takes imagination to see how the system could work differently, to envision new models of production, new power dynamics, and new ways of sharing value. What these changemakers are doing is imagining together, not in isolation.

Reflections that stayed with me

One of our winners, Yayra Agbofah from The Revival Circularity Lab, said it so powerful:

“Let’s all stop being troublemakers and start being changemakers.”

These words remind me that change doesn’t happen by only pointing out what’s broken, it happens when we roll up our sleeves and build what’s next, together. And it starts with having the courage to change. And here’s the thing, courage is contagious. And courage doesn’t live in isolation, it grows in community. Systems don’t change on their own, people do. Each of us has a role to play, to champion new ideas, to collaborate across boundaries, to open doors, to take what we learn here and carry it forward.

Another quote that stayed with me was from one of our speakers on the GCA Summit, Henry Coutinho-Mason, who said:

“The only future we can create is the one we can imagine.”

That idea has stayed with me. This week reminded me that imagination is not a luxury; it’s a discipline. It’s how we move from possibility to progress. To build a better industry, and a better world, we first must believe that something better is within reach.

Because without that belief, there’s no reason to act differently today. Hope isn’t naive; it’s necessary. It gives us the courage to take the first step, to challenge what’s always been done, and to invest in ideas that might just change everything.

Looking ahead

As we close the week, I hope they leave with a renewed sense of confidence in their own power and in the power of collective imagination. This week was a reminder that they are not alone; they are part of a global community that believes in them and stands behind their vision. I hope they carry with them the connections, insights and sense of possibility that came alive in the conversations that took place. Professionally, I hope they continue to challenge the system, asking bold questions and seeking unexpected allies. Personally, I hope they keep that spark of hope alive, because as we have seen, imagination really is one of our most powerful climate solutions.