Mike Horn Foundation — Generation Earth

Could you tell us about the spirit that inspired the Foundation before it formally came into being?
The spirit behind it is one my sister and I have carried with us since childhood, passed down by our parents. With a South African father and a New Zealand mother, we had an extraordinary upbringing. Through our father's expeditions, supported logistically by our mother, we were lucky to travel early on and discover remote places and cultures. Exploration, adventure, and pushing our limits were central to our education from the very beginning.

Are these the same values the Foundation seeks to pass on today?
Yes, among others. One of our core beliefs is that by helping young people build confidence and self-belief, they will be better equipped to bring their ideas to life. We firmly believe education plays a major role in this. Education is one of the Horn Foundation's two main pillars. The other is environmental awareness. One of my earliest memories related to this was watching Al Gore's documentary — it was a wake-up call. A few years later, during our father's trek across the North Pole, he saw the tangible effects of climate change.

How does the Foundation support these efforts?
We created the association Pangaea X to support groups of young adults aged 18 to 30 in turning their environmental ideas into viable, actionable projects. Over three editions, we've guided around ten teams through a five-month program that blends in-person and online sessions, featuring expert insights and tailored coaching for each group. It all leads to a final pitch in front of a jury, including Mike, followed by a public ceremony celebrating the top projects. As my father often says, "Youth is the world's greatest untapped energy source" — and I couldn't agree more.