Second Global Innovation Competition launched in Nairobi
What you need to know:
- The competition, which directs global attention on creative and cutting-edge solutions for local problems, including those that use mobile and web technology, strives to ensure that voices of all citizens are heard, and that governments have the capacity as well as incentive to listen and respond.
Making All Voices Count has launched the second annual Global Innovation Competition in search of creative concepts that encourage engagement between citizens and governments.
The 2015 Global Innovative Competition seeks to give local and international innovators and entrepreneurs a chance to design solutions that stimulate dialogue and improve the relationship between governments and citizens.
Run and implemented by Ushahidi and partners from the Netherlands and the USA, the competition’s call for applicants was published on September 15 and will run until October 15.
The competition, which directs global attention on creative and cutting-edge solutions for local problems, including those that use mobile and web technology, strives to ensure that voices of all citizens are heard, and that governments have the capacity as well as incentive to listen and respond.
This year’s competition will focus on four things: Legislative Openness, Inclusive and Participatory Lawmaking, Sub-national Governance, Gender Equality and Building Resilience and Response to Humanitarian Crisis.
Stakeholders briefing
Speaking during a stakeholders briefing at iHub in Nairobi, Innovation Director Daudi Were said: “We are looking for the outliers, disruptors and rebels among us who will create out-of-the-box ideas that boost citizen engagement and government responsiveness. Think big, think radical, look at old problems with new eyes and listen to the stories largely untold.”
It was also confirmed that the competition does not necessarily take innovation to mean the fastest and newest innovations.
“Previous finalists used basic tools such as SMS and print news bulletins in their solutions. This year’s competition seeks entrepreneurs and innovators with easily deployable technology that is relevant to the cultural, political, economic and geographical needs of the end user,” he said.
An open online platform where applicants can upload their campaigns will be used for review and voting by the public. Contestants will be shortlisted and evaluated by a panel of judges and finalists will be awarded £300,000 (Sh42 million).
The grant will go towards facilitating the finalists in improving their projects or campaigns and help them attend the Global Innovation Week in Jakarta, Indonesia, for networking and mentoring.
The inaugural competition, where a Pakistani government driven innovation won the top prize, attracted 250 submissions and 60,000 online votes.
This year’s competition will feature contestants from Ghana, South Africa, Indonesia, the Philippines, Liberia, Tanzania, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Mozambique, Uganda and Nigeria.
