De Montfort University
Damari Kota
Finalist, Sustainability Champion - Student
Finalist
About
Damari Kota is a Footwear Design student from De Montfort University (DMU) who planned, funded and delivered a footwear making project in Tanzania with disadvantaged women to empower communities in Africa through sustainable skills development. Through a DMU Global student trip to Tanzania, she trained a number of local women in shoemaking using locally available materials, equipping them with tools, technical knowledge and culturally relevant design skills. Her work which reached over 1,800 people promotes sustainable livelihoods, circular use of materials and community resilience aligned with SDG4 Quality Education. Following her visits to Tanzania, Damari aims to set up Luminary Footwear. The charity aims to upskill people across Africa in the craft of shoemaking, helping them find formal employment or start their own businesses.
Top 3 learnings
- The power of yes to a community: Yes, to a community matters. I’ve heard that ‘Your life is dictated by the quality of questions you ask’. Saying yes to questions opens doors that would’ve otherwise been shut, and I was able to be someone who creates that space to question, explore and imagine, to offer a yes.
- Visibility invites opportunity: To see the success of this project, I’ve had to be open to visibility. I’ve realised that people are always watching, often quietly. By networking, posting and sharing myself as well as the project, I’ve allowed others to find me, share their passions, and build unexpected connections.
- Process builds quality: A strong process is the backbone of any project. It turns ideas into outcomes and ensures that passion is structured.
What it means to win
DMU is commited to sustainability and the sustainable development goals. To have this work recognised by the Green Gown Awards would be a real reflection on the commitment of staff and students at DMU.
SDG
| 2026 | |
| Sustainability Champion - Student | |
| Finalist, UK and Ireland |
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