The Ocean Innovation Challenge publishes a series of “Ocean Challenges” or calls for proposals, each focusing on a specific SDG14 objective. The OIC is looking for transferable, reproducible and scalable innovations to get maximum catalytic impact.
About Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge
The Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge, a key part of the partnership between National Geographic and Sky Ocean Ventures to reduce plastic waste, calls on problem-solvers around the world to develop new solutions to address the global waste crisis of plastic. More than 9 million tons of plastic waste ends up in our oceans every year, and without intervention, this number will almost double to reach 17 million tons per year by 2025. The Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge has focused on three ways strategies to Tackling this growing crisis: The winners of the Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge 2019 have a good reputation for their work to address the global problem of plastic pollution. Basically, in providing alternatives to single-use plastic products, by encouraging companies to adopt a sustainable circular economy approach. And developing visualizations to illustrate the theme of plastic pollution to catalyze the action.
About the Ocean Innovation Challenge
The Ocean Innovation Challenge (OIC) is a new and unique mechanism that they design to speed up progress towards SDG14. Through the identification, financing, advice, and development of truly innovative, business and creative approaches. Specifically, to the restoration and protection of the oceans and coasts that support livelihoods and promote the “blue economy”. Above all, the Ocean Innovation Challenge publishes a series of “Ocean Challenges” or calls for proposals, each focusing on a specific SDG14 objective. Also, public or private entities will design initial concepts, including governments, private companies. Including start-up companies), NGOs / CSOs, United Nations entities, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations.
Ocean Challenge #1
The first “Ocean Challenge”, launched on January 8, 2022, seeks innovative solutions to combat the scourge of ocean pollution. Nutrient pollution loads in the oceans have tripled since pre-industrial times, now approaching about 13 million metric tons (mt) per year, leading to exponential growth in eutrophication and the appearance of hypoxia zones (low oxygen), which now amounts to more than 500 and causes hundreds of billions of dollars in economic damage annually. Globally, there are only a few examples (such as the Danube / Black Sea basin) where nutrient loads have been reduced enough to reverse and eliminate hypoxic areas, so much work remains to be done on this SDG goal.
Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge Tracks
The Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge focused on three different tracks to deal with the growing plastic crisis:
Design Track
The design of the Ocean Plastic Innovation Challenge has identified pragmatic and invertible solutions to improve food and beverage containers and containers. The teams competed in the following categories: food packaging, beverage packaging or wild cards.
Circular Economy Circuit
The Circular Economy Track challenged teams to develop scalable business models and technological solutions, applicable to all industries, to reduce the waste of plastic packaging and encourage the reuse and reuse of plastic alternatives. Instead of throwing them away after use. The teams competed in the following categories: business model or technological solution.
Data Visualization
The Data Visualization Track challenged teams to represent a set of relevant and credible data linked to the global challenge of plastic waste as data visualization, as a tool to effectively communicate the need to act on this important issue.
Scholarship Worth
Concepts that pass the initial exam and meet the criteria of the ICO will be invited to submit complete proposals for later review and internal and external examination (“peers”). Grants vary from $50,000 to $250,000 and project times may vary from one to two years. Project proposals must be implemented and benefit stakeholders in developing countries, but can be submitted by applicants from developing or developed countries. All proposals should focus on ensuring gender equality, the livelihoods of the poor, and the eradication of poverty.
How to Apply for Ocean Innovation Challenge
The first ‘Ocean Challenge’, focused on solutions to Ocean Pollution, opens here on 8 January 2022. The application process is in 3 stages: Notes: Applications are accepted in English, French, and Spanish. National Geographic Partners is a joint venture between The Walt Disney Company and the National Geographic Society. The first ‘Ocean Challenge’, focused on solutions to Ocean Pollution, opens here on 8 January 2022. The application process is in 3 stages:1. Starting 8 January 2022, interested applicants should submit their preliminary proposal here no later than 5 March 2022. Early applications are encouraged.2. In April 2022, successful applicants to the first round will be invited to submit a more detailed project proposal before 25 April 2022.3. OIC Award-winners will be announced at the 2nd UN Ocean Conference in Lisbon, Portugal, 2-6 June 2022.
In Conclusion
The Ocean Innovation Challenge publishes a series of “Ocean Challenges” or calls for proposals, each focusing on a specific SDG14 objective. Public or private entities, including governments, private companies (including start-up companies), NGOs / CSOs, United Nations entities, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations may present initial concepts. For More Information Visit http://www.oceaninnovationchallenge.org/
