UN-Habitat partners IESCO on young innovators’ award

THE United Nations agency for human settlements and sustainable urban development, UN-Habitat and the International Ecological Safety Collaboration Organization (IESCO) supported by China Development Orient Urban Development and Investment Company Limited (“CDB-ORIENT”), a major private sector organization in China have jointly launched a biennial Youth Innovation Awards Programme. These organizations have consequently sent out the first calls for entries for those interested in being considered for the award. The award intended to recognize, honor and promote young generation of leaders who are in a unique position to leverage the power of invention to establish businesses, which would contribute to solving social and environmental problems.  Culturally innovative proposals and projects, which promote local culture in the concept, design and operation of the project will also be considered for the Award. “This initiative aims to attract, support and inspire some of the most innovative, high-impact young innovators and entrepreneurs in a number of countries in Africa and Asia,” said Oyebanji Oyeyinka from UN-Habitat. The aim of the Award is to acknowledge and recognize initiatives, which will create positive impact socially, economically and environmentally. The initiative should act as catalyst towards the promotion of sustainable cities and towns and encourage talent needed for future urban development measured by creation of youth employment, poverty alleviation and ensuring ecological safety. Cambodia, China, Nigeria, Tanzania, and Thailand will be the pilot countries for the Award and depending on the success of the pilot initiative and subject to the availability of resources will be replicated in other parts of the globe. “The six categories span the breadth of the Award and are judged by the steering Committee of and panel of expert judges in their field. Awards will be given to Green Innovations, Ecological Safety and Climate Change and Social Equity and Poverty Reduction and Technological Innovations. Cultural innovations will be another category. Young Entrepreneur of the Biennium will also be recognized and awarded,” said Jiang Mingjun of IESCO Winners will not only receive a cash Prize and a certificate from UN-Habitat and IESCO, they will also get a trophy and will benefit from extensive media coverage. The total amount of the prize pool is USD 200,000 and the individual cash grant will vary from USD 20,000 to 50,000 to be shared by up to three winners in each category. Citation will also be given to institutions and mentors who have been instrumental in innovators’ achievements. The scheme is comprehensive mechanism, which touches all walks of life and is geared to bringing serious and meaningful changes to society. It is geared to transforming society bottom up. Submission is via youthinnovations.award@unhabitat.org. The deadline for receipt of entries is July 31, 2015. The Youth Innovation Award Winners announced in September while award ceremony is billed for October this year.