As part of Unilever’s Sustainable Living initiative, the multinational giant has launched the Young Entrepreneurs Awards 2014 in partnership with with the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainability Leadership and in collaboration with Ashoka. The program aims to honor young and aspiring entrepreneurs who have come up with product, application or service in the area of sustainable living that could reduce environmental impacts, improve health and well-being or enhance livelihoods through changes in practices or behaviors. Seven winners will be entitled to a total of more than €200,000 in financial support and case based mentoring whereas the overall winner will also receive the HRH The Prince of Wales Young Sustainability Entrepreneur Prize.
The competition is for entrepreneurs under the age of 30 who’s sustainable innovation has grown beyond the idea stage and has gained traction in their local market. Entries must revolve around any of the following themes:
Improving Health & Well-Being:
- water, sanitation and hygiene
- nutrition
Reducing Environmental Impact
- water scarcity
- greenhouse gases
- waste
- sustainable agriculture
Enhancing Livelihoods
- smallholder farmers
- opportunities for women
- micro enterprise
More details regarding each of the categories can be found here.
The timeline of the application submissions and competition is as follows:
| Applications open | 23 June 2014 |
|---|---|
| Deadline for all applications | 1 August |
| Shortlist interviews | 28 October |
| Finalists announced | 30 October |
| Finalists commence online tutorials | 24 November |
| Finalists attend Accelerator Workshop in Cambridge, UK | TBC in January 2015 |
| Pitch to judges | TBC in January 2015 |
| Prize ceremony in London | TBC in January 2015 |
Last year seven finalists were selected out of 510 entries from 90 countries in similar categories as this year. A list of last year’s entries can be found here for inspiration.
So far the competition has seen only a handful of entries from Pakistan (check out the Changemakers page for a list of all the current entries by geographical location) and while Pakistanis were unable to gain any merit last year, maybe this year things will be different and we will be able to showcase our impressive talent to the world.
The deadline to apply is the 1st of August, 0400 PST.
