Deadline: 31-May-2024
The ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge represents a unique initiative aimed at fostering the development of the blue economy in ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste.
It seeks to identify, finance, and support innovative solutions geared towards the conservation and sustainable management of marine ecosystems, coastal areas, and freshwater resources. In addition to providing financial support, it facilitates connections between innovators and potential stakeholders, including investors and business entities.
Topics Addressed
- Climate Issues
- Climate change presents significant challenges to critical sectors of the blue economy, including fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. Traditional approaches alone are insufficient to address these challenges, necessitating the exploration of novel solutions. Innovators, with their adaptability and inventive spirit, emerge as pivotal actors in the development of transformative technologies aimed at mitigating and adapting to climate impacts, thereby fostering a more sustainable future.
- Marine Plastic Pollution
- The oceans are facing a serious plastic pollution problem, which harms marine life and ecosystems and even affects the food chain. While traditional. Methods like beach clean-ups and recycling help, they are not enough to tackle the millions of tons of plastic entering the oceans every year. To really make a difference, fresh ideas. From innovators are needed. Their knack for thinking differently and shaking up old ways of doing things is key.
- Sustainable Fisheries
- In recent decades, the rising global demand for fish has driven the development of fishing technology. However, this has led to overexploitation of fishery resources due to unsustainable practices. Consequently, fish stocks are heavily exploited, and critical marine and freshwater ecosystems are severely degraded, endangering their long-term survival. Urgent action is needed, and innovators, with their agility and fresh perspectives, hold the key to developing innovative technologies and solutions ensuring not only healthy fish stocks but also thriving local communities for generations to come.
- Sustainable Tourism
- Unsustainable tourism management in coastal, freshwater, and marine zones often harms delicate environments, exploiting resources and contributing to pollution. Innovation holds the key in shifting towards sustainable practices – from eco-friendly lodging and low-impact transportation to empowering local communities and promoting regenerative tourism models. Only through creative solutions can they ensure thriving destinations, responsible tourist behaviour, and sustainable future.
Benefits
- For 60 Selected Awardees
- Capacity building programme. Technical assistance and mentorship in preparation and during the piloting Period.
- Maximum USD 40,000 for up to six months fund to pilot or proof of concept of the innovations.
- For All Participants
- Outreach. Solutions submitted could potentially be included in upcoming UNDP publications that are shared within national, regional, and global partners for public outreach, upon consent.
Eligibility Criteria
- A minimum of 3 (three) people representing a legal entity/organization
- The team is required to have male and female members, ensuring gender balance
- Team members must be at least 18 years old and have legal identity as a citizen in ASEAN Member States and/or Timor-Leste.
- Submit registration and administrative requirements according to the provisions through the online form.
- Have at least 1(one) years in operation OR established before April 2023
- Have good financial standing. Proven with record of ongoing and completed projects in the last 1 year and a reference from previous client/partner.
For more information, visit UNDP.