Global Leadership in Action: Claudia at the Women in AgriTech Summit
From September 24–27, 2024, our Founder & CEO Claudia Laricchia will represent Smily Academy on one of the most
prestigious global stages—the Women in AgriTech Summit in Belgium, hosted under the patronage of the Royal Family.
This high-level international event brings together leaders from across four continents, including Her Majesty Queen
Reine Clarisse Douala Bell of Cameroon, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries of Benin, and the First Lady
of Ghana, Lordina Mahama.
✨ On the occasion of the Summit, SMILY Academy and Emperia Industries will sign a 3-year MoU focused on building a
Mediterranean Hub and launching joint initiatives to facilitate cultural and economic exchange in the region, alongside
educational pathways powered by the Indigenous Factor and the SMILY format.
Claudia will take the stage on September 25 at 2:00 PM to share SMILY’s vision for bridging
indigenous wisdom, youth
leadership, and regenerative business with cutting-edge innovation in AgriTech. Adding to this honor, she has also
been
invited to serve as a Member of the Jury for the Global Award—a recognition of her global thought leadership and
commitment to empowering the next generation of eco-entrepreneurs.
Within this framework, we are proud to announce the launch of Earth Mother Experience_SMILY & EMPERIA – Presentazione: a transformative program in Assam, India (March 20–26, 2026), exclusively designed for 30 female CEOs and eco-entrepreneurs. This unique journey will blend indigenous knowledge, regenerative business design, and immersive learning in one of the world’s most iconic biodiversity landscapes.
✨ This isn’t just another summit—it’s the dawn of a global alliance for women, indigenous wisdom, and regenerative
futures. And SMILY Academy is right at the center of it. Learn more
This high-level international event brings together leaders from across four
continents, including Her Majesty Queen
Reine Clarisse Douala Bell of Cameroon, the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock & Fisheries of Benin, and the First
Lady
of Ghana, Lordina Mahama.
Claudia will take the stage on September 25 at 2:00 PM to share SMILY’s vision for bridging
indigenous wisdom, youth
leadership, and regenerative business with cutting-edge innovation in AgriTech. Adding to this honor, she has also
been
invited to serve as a Member of the Jury for the Global Award—a recognition of her global thought leadership and
commitment to empowering the next generation of eco-entrepreneurs.
✨ On the occasion of the Summit, SMILY Academy and Emperia Industries will sign
a 3-year MoU focused on building a
Mediterranean Hub and launching joint initiatives to facilitate cultural and economic exchange in the region,
alongside
educational pathways powered by the Indigenous Factor and the SMILY format.
Within this framework, we are proud to announce the launch of Earth Mother Experience_SMILY & EMPERIA – Presentazione: a transformative program in Assam, India (March 20–26, 2026), exclusively designed for 30 female CEOs and eco-entrepreneurs. This unique journey will blend indigenous knowledge, regenerative business design, and immersive learning in one of the world’s most iconic biodiversity landscapes.
✨ This isn’t just another summit—it’s the dawn of a global alliance for
women, indigenous wisdom, and regenerative
futures. And SMILY Academy is right at the center of it. Learn more
"Smily Academy is a Revolution dedicated to Nurture world’s best eco-entrepreneurs with a global impact."
- Jadav Moloi Payeng, Padma Shri awarded & The Forest Man of India.
"Smily Academy is a Revolution dedicated to Nurture world’s best eco-entrepreneurs with a global impact."
- Jadav Moloi Payeng, Padma Shri awarded & The Forest Man of India.
- Jadav Moloi Payeng, Padma Shri awarded & The Forest Man of India.
Join Smily Academy
Where eco-entrepreneurship meets global impact, one groundbreaking initiative at a time. We’re a pioneering impact accelerator representing Indigenous communities who’re safeguarding 85% of world’s biodiversity. Smily Academy champions exchange of their Indigenous Knowledge and invaluable expertise with the next generation, cultivating the world's most promising eco-entrepreneurs.
400 Million Indigenous Voices Represented: Smily Academy proudly connects and empowers Indigenous communities from over 90 countries, amplifying their vital role in global sustainability.
27 Sectors Impacted Over the last year, Smily Academy has worked across 27 different sectors—from regenerative agriculture to eco-tourism—to bring Indigenous wisdom into the global market.
50+ Eco-Business Projects in Development: Our alumni network continues to grow, with more than 50 active, eco-sustainable projects shaping local economies to bring positive environmental and social impact worldwide.
Aiming to Inspire 20+ Million Youth Worldwide: Through hands-on experiences and educational programs, we’re on a mission to inspire and equip over 20 million young to create eco-businesses that drive meaningful change in the coming decade.
Global Presence Across 4 Continents: With active participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Smily Academy is creating a truly global network for change.
27 Sectors Impacted Over the last year, Smily Academy has worked across 27 different sectors—from regenerative agriculture to eco-tourism—to bring Indigenous wisdom into the global market.
50+ Eco-Business Projects in Development: Our alumni network continues to grow, with more than 50 active, eco-sustainable projects shaping local economies to bring positive environmental and social impact worldwide.
Aiming to Inspire 20+ Million Youth Worldwide: Through hands-on experiences and educational programs, we’re on a mission to inspire and equip over 20 million young to create eco-businesses that drive meaningful change in the coming decade.
Global Presence Across 4 Continents: With active participants from Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas, Smily Academy is creating a truly global network for change.
21 eco-business incubated
37 Global partners
300+ Media Features
21 eco-business incubated
37 Global partners
300+ Media Features
Smily Academy is a movement that redefines what it means to be an entrepreneur in the 21st century.
Smily Academy is a movement that redefines what it means to be an entrepreneur in the 21st century.
A Message from Claudia Laricchia: The Smily Visionary
Why Smily Academy?
In a world grappling with climate change and environmental challenges, innovative collaborations are more crucial than ever. Smily Academy is a groundbreaking initiative founded by The Forest Man of India, Jadav Moloi Payeng; Claudia Laricchia; Rituraj Phukan; Matteo Salerno and Munmuni Payeng. This academy aims to bring transformative change by aligning international youth, cutting-edge technologies, and indigenous wisdom to tackle some of the world's most pressing challenges by swiftly translating ideas into viable businesses.
The Indigenous Imperative
Indigenous communities make up just 5% of the world's population but are responsible for protecting a staggering 85% of global biodiversity. Smily Academy recognizes the invaluable role these communities play and aims to address their specific challenges, through innovative solutions. Their knowledge in traditional agriculture, natural resource management, and biodiversity conservation is a treasure trove that, when melded with modern innovation, can significantly propel forward the global agenda of sustainability and climate resilience. Through such collaborations, we inch closer to a future where technology and tradition harmoniously coalesce to foster a sustainable living paradigm.
Is Smily Academy - just an another educational program?
Smily Academy is not just another educational program; it is an impact accelerator. It aims to transform challenge-based projects into viable businesses, thereby contributing to sustainable development while creating new job opportunities for the youth. Smily means “sustainable mindset and inner level for youth” and it is the first Indigenous Peoples’ impact accelerator for scaling up youth eco-businesses. It is a special program of the NGO Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Justice Forum representing a range from 20 to 370 million people.
Inspiration behind the Smily Academy?
Our mission is inspired by the United Nations Development Program Conscious Food Systems Alliance and has its bright example and leadership embodied by Jadav Moloi Payeng - co-founder both of the Indigenous Forum and of Smily Academy. He is the so-called Forest Man of India, who planted in 40 years a forest as large as 13 soccer fields. Where he planted forests, Smily is planted a new human consciousness and a regenerative mindset to harvest eco-businesses led by the next generations.
The future is smiling! Smily is training a new generation of sustainable and impactful entrepreneurs.
The future is smiling! Smily is training a new generation of sustainable and impactful entrepreneurs.
Partners
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago.
The second best time to plant a tree is now.
The second best time to plant a tree is now.
Where the Forest Man planted trees,
we Smilers are planting a new human consciousness.
we Smilers are planting a new human consciousness.
The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time to plant a tree is now. Where the Forest Man planted trees, we Smilers are planting a new human consciousness.
Speakers
Many people from public life enjoyed in our culinary experience. We are very grateful and proud for hosting and serving Saint John Paul II on June 6th of 2003.
