The competition seeks to identify innovative technical solutions to tackle global challenges in basic supply
The “empowering people. Award” was launched today at an event in Munich with the online participation of a large international community. Inventors and developer teams are called on here to submit their low-tech innovations in one of eight categories that cover the main areas of basic supply in impoverished regions. The potential to be embedded in entrepreneurial models providing sustainable help to individuals and communities in developing regions is one of the pivotal criteria.
Effective, simple and innovative: The Award is on the lookout for solutions in the categories of Water & Waste Water, Energy, Food & Agriculture, Waste Management, Healthcare, Sheltering, Education and Information & Communication. Rolf Huber, Managing Director, Siemens Stiftung: “The goal of the contest is ultimately to empower people in developing regions to have access to basic services for their daily needs. We want to locate creative solutions and we are eager to work with innovative teams to bring their solutions to the lives of those who need them most. Since our first Award in 2012, we were able to support dozens of initiatives. In addition, our network partners of engineers from various fields and social business experts around the world help them maximize their impact.”
Project entries will be assessed by an interdisciplinary and international jury with the winners receiving cash prizes and expert evaluation of their entries. The first prize winner will be awarded a sum of 50,000 Euros; the second prize earnings are valued at 30,000 Euros; third place at 20,000 Euros. In addition, 20 runners-up will be awarded a sum of 5,000 Euros each. A Community Prize will also be awarded and judged by the highly engaged global online empowering people community. The winning entry here will receive hardware to the value of 3,000 Euros.
Alongside the awarding of prize money, the solutions will be showcased and promoted in a Solutions Database and the inventors and entrepreneurs behind the innovations will become part of a broader endeavor: the “empowering people. Network”. This community, created and facilitated by Siemens Stiftung, consists of developers and social entrepreneurs from around the globe. Members of the Network benefit from training sessions on relevant topics for their businesses as well as expert support for their organizational or technical developments. Regular online and offline meetings enable the creation of synergy and cooperation between inventors and players of the ecosystem who span the globe.
Deadline for entries is November 30, 2015, at 12 00 am EST.