Green Skills Innovation Challenge – Apply Now!

Deadline: 4-Jun-21

Are you a Green Economy changemaker actively equipping people with green skills? If yes, then apply for Green Skills Innovation Challenge.

Ashoka and HSBC are collaborating on the first-of-its-kind Green Skills Innovation Challenge. This global innovation competition is open to social entrepreneurs in selected markets with ventures that equip individuals and communities with the skills needed to thrive in the transition to a green economy.

This Green Economy requires a workforce equipped with robust green skills—the competencies that allow individuals to step into new green jobs or transition aspects of their current careers towards jobs that will have positive impacts on the planet.

Scope

• They are looking for social entrepreneurs who are equipping those most in need of opportunity with green skills needed to thrive, ensuring that the transition to a green economy benefits all.
• They are particularly interested in changemakers that:
  • Help those previously excluded from economic opportunity to gain the skills needed to find employment in growth sectors of the Green Economy
  • Help communities currently entrenched in environmentally harmful jobs transition to green jobs
  • Find innovative ways to prepare young people to find careers in, and ultimately become leaders of, the green economy

• They’re looking for social entrepreneurs with ventures which recognize:
  • The power of multi-solving: Green skills can bring about an inclusive and sustainable future, solving the climate crisis along with social problems
  • Everyone is necessary: As environmentally harmful jobs are phased out, people’s valuable skills can be repurposed towards growth sectors in the green economy
  • Young people are critical: With green skills, youth across the world will be able to jump into the green economy with confidence and thrive

Prize Details and Benefits

• All applicants will:
  • Receive feedback from Ashoka and/or HSBC representatives
• Semifinalists (up to 50) will:
  • Receive additional feedback from experts from HSBC & Ashoka
  • Be referred as semifinalists in the announcement communications
  • Access a webinar for semifinalists to connect with peers
• The challenge will have up to 15 winners, with at least 3 being youth-led organizations. The Challenge Team will decide funding amounts awarded to each winner. There will be two award categories:
  • Most Innovative solutions:
    • Awarded to solutions with proven models who have potential to begin scaling their impact
    • Winners receive and up to $20k cash prize plus support & mentoring from HSBC and Ashoka on how to scale
    • Available to general entrants and youth-led entrants
  • Best early-stage solutions:
    • Awarded to solutions with highly innovative ideas which are still at an early-stage
    • Winners receive up to $15k cash prize plus support & mentoring to help develop their innovation
    • Available to general entrants and youth-led entrants

Eligibility Criteria

• To apply: 
  • You must have incorporated as a non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid organization
  • You must be over 18 by the time you apply
  • If your product has not launched, you must have a business plan and MVP (prototype, pilot, or another proof of concept)
  • Entries will only be accepted in English (winners will be expected to engage in activities that require English proficiency)
  • They are open to entries from the following markets: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Kuwait, Luxemburg, Malaysia, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nigeria, Oman, Philippines, Poland, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, UAE, UK (including Channel Islands), Uruguay, USA, Vietnam

• Additional terms: 
  • Only one application per initiative will be accepted
  • Employees of HSBC, advertising agencies, promotion agencies and other service providers for this Challenge, their immediate family members (spouse, parent, child, sibling, regardless of where they reside) are not eligible
  • Partners or initiatives that are already financed or supported by HSBC its affiliates, subsidiaries or joint ventures are not eligible

For more information, visit https://challenges.changemakers.com/challenge/greenskills