The Global Citizens Innovative Solutions SDGs Challenge is open to application for people to create solutions around the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This is a rolling 100-day contest to be held annually for the next 10 years to rally the world around UN SDGs.
The world is an expansive place full of thoughtful, creative, and motivated humans. The inaugural Global Citizens Innovative Solutions SDGs Challenge invites any and all to come together to brainstorm ideas, formulate plans, and craft presentations of viable, lofty, and positive opportunities to help solve problems afflicting billions as well as ease demands taxing the planet.
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Solution To Provide
To participate, some of the tangible solutions you can work on include;
Initiatives or Events; Ideas for programs or outputs that raise awareness and/or boost community engagement/spur action around a chosen SDG/Target.
Technology Solutions; Ideas for software, hardware, apps development that aid in improving access, efficiencies, or scalability around a chosen SDG/Target.
Start-up Businesses; Ideas and plans to materialize long term impact as a non-profit entity or a for-profit business concern with a focus to meet an SDG target(s).
Who Can Apply
Everyone on the planet can apply for the Global Citizens Innovative Solutions SDGs Challenge.
Basically, it’s an open call for the world’s curious, creative, collaborative and motivated minds (and teams up to 6) of all ages, races, genders, nationalities, blood types, zodiac signs wishing to engage with SDGs and contribute brainpower toward solutions by 2030.
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What To Expect
A free and worthwhile contest that invites and challenges humans from all walks of life to come together (virtually, at the moment) to arrive at imaginative and viable solutions to the 17 U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDG/s).
The Challenge is ‘rolling’ which means you can start and end any time within 100 days up to July 30. It encourages problem-solving advantage of teamwork, diversity, passion for good, and concentrated effort.
Then, certificates will be awarded to all participants who submit a team solution. A special designation will be given to Semi-Finalists and special perks TBD to 17 Winners per SDG.
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Where Global Citizens Innovative Solutions SDGs Challenge Will Take Place
The challenge will take place virtually owning to the pandemic. However, when the world is out of self-quarantine, it will open up physical locations. Till then, it’s all about massive collaboration at a distance.
The worldwide challenge culminates in video presentations by all teams who will then be subjected to public voting. 170 Semi-Finalists will emerge (10 per SDG). Then, the global Jury will take over. 51 Finalists will be selected (3 per SDG) and then a panel of subject matter experts (by SDG Focus area) will select 17 Winners (1 per SDG).
Detailed information (rules, timeline) will be provided to registered teams.
When Will This Take Place
Pre-registration opened April 22 (Earth Day!) & Challenge officially runs 100 days to July 31, 2020. Challenge teams work on solutions for as short or long as it takes them within the 100 days.
Public voting occurs online for one week following three intake periods May 31, June 30 and July 31 and 170 Semi-Finalists will emerge. From Aug. 8 to 23 Global juries will select 51 Finalists and by Aug. 24 to 31, 17 Winners will be determined!
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Why You Should Apply
Winning teams with viable business models will be matched with global incubators and funding sources. All Finalists and Winners will be invited to a variety of SDGs events across the globe. The world debut of the global SDGs Challenge is long overdue. The first five years of the SDGs (2016 – 2030) timeline has passed and the world’s needs to make much more progress if goals are to be met.
The Challenge is a great way to become an engaged global citizen and learn hands-on about SDGs and to collectively align to arrive at potential solutions to the world’s most critical and nagging problems.
Certificates will be awarded to each team member who submits a solution. Semi-Finalists, Finalists, and Winners will be presented special designation, perks, and prizes (TBD).
How It Works
All you need is to bring forth your own team of teams or maybe convince your family or your roommate(s). Or, you can opt to be added to another team of similar SDG interest areas.
After which, teams will decide which SDG and SDG subtopic to focus on solving, when, where to meet (for now, it advocates virtual meetings), how to approach your brainstorming sessions, division of work, the format by which you convey your ideas for solutions (i.e. PowerPoint, video, speech, skit, or ?) and how to divvy up each role in presentation/briefing.
Please note: Mentors will be available to jump start or provide enhanced support.
The deadline for the application is July 31, 2020. So, if you are ready to join in the Global Citizens Innovative Solutions SDGs Challenge, you can form or find a global team to work with at your pace. You can learn more using this link. https://sdgschallenge.org/
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