Deadline: 31 March 2020
North America’s environment ministers are calling on youth to champion bold solutions promoting social entrepreneurship for environmental sustainability as part of the Commission for Environmental Cooperation’s (CEC) 4th annual Youth Innovation Challenge.
Through the Youth Innovation Challenge, CEC is supporting the enterprising spirit of North American youth in addressing these complex sustainability challenges, says the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the CEC’s Council Session Chair for 2020.
This 4th annual challenge focuses on social entrepreneurship for environmental sustainability.
“Youth across the globe are raising the alarm on the urgency to address global environmental issues and improve resource efficiency. They understand the crucial role innovation plays in finding solutions. Through the CEC Youth Innovation Challenge, they are supporting the enterprising spirit of North American youth in addressing these complex sustainability challenges,” says the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Canada’s Minister of Environment and Climate Change and the CEC’s Council Session Chair for 2020.
The innovative solutions could be a:
- Product
- Technology
- System
- Process
- Application
- Service
- Business
- Supply chain
Why should you join the challenge?
- Receive CAD $5,000 in seed funding
- Present your innovative solution to North America’s top environmental officials at the CEC’s Council Session in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada on 25 & 26 June, 2020
- Visit an innovation center at an academic institution in North America in collaboration with the CEC EcoInnovation Network
Eligibility Criteria
- You can join if you are aged 18 to 30 on the date that you submit the solution
- You can submit a solution individually or as a team
- You must be a resident of Canada, Mexico or the United States
What are the elements of a successful submission?
- It describes a solution that addresses an environmental sustainability challenge in North America
- It includes a solution that has a direct impact on North American communities
- It demonstrates the innovativeness and business potential of your proposed solution
- It is supported by photos, videos, schematics and prototype designs
Important Dates
- Week of May 11, 2020 – Announce 3 winners
- 25 & 26 June, 2020 – Winners present their solutions
How to Apply
- Submit your solution via the given website.
- Solutions can be submitted in English, French or Spanish and will be evaluated based on four criteria: impact, innovation, feasibility/replicability, and economic value.
For more information, visit http://www.cec.org/news-and-outreach/press-releases/commission-environmental-cooperation-launches-4th-annual-youth-innovation-challenge