In Algeria’s Smara refugee camp, 23-year-old Mohamed Salem is cultivating resilience in the desert through his project The Nomad Garden—an experimental farm designed to foster self-sufficiency in one of the world’s most inhospitable environments. As international aid dwindles and temperatures rise, Salem—a refugee, artist, and environmental innovator—is pioneering methods such as sandponics and hydroponics to grow organic food where conventional agriculture is nearly impossible. His garden now includes livestock, greenhouses, and a water filtration system, offering a holistic model of sustainability for displaced communities confronting similar challenges. Beyond the physical farm, Salem also created a short film documenting The Nomad Garden, which has inspired other refugees to adopt these practices and adapt them to their own conditions. In doing so, his work signals a shift from dependency toward resilience and independence, demonstrating how resourcefulness and creativity can reimagine survival in extreme climates.

Salem was part of the Young Climate Prize Cycle 02 Cohort, where he was mentored by Brendan McGetrick, curator and writer, and director of the Museum of the Future in Dubai. Known for projects that bridge design, technology, and social change, McGetrick’s guidance helped Salem refine his vision and expand the reach of The Nomad Garden to new audiences.