Sustainability innovation challenge launched for youths; prizes include $10,000, trip to Finland

Temasek’s Ecosperity platform is partnering with youth architecture school Arkki Singapore to launch a sustainability competition for youths.

Called the Sustain-a-City: An Urban Innovation Challenge, it aims to get youths to think of how climate change affects urban cities and their development, and imagine how they would look if made sustainable and carbon neutral.

According to Temasek’s Ecosperity platform, over half the world’s population are currently living in urban cities. They account for more than 70 per cent of global carbon dioxide emissions, which can be harmful to the environment and speed up climate change if the emissions are not reduced.

Youths participating in the innovation challenge have to think creatively on solutions and designs that could solve such sustainability issues in cities. They will need to address at least one of the following themes: Energy and Resource Systems, Future of Mobility, Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure, Waste Management and Circular Economy, and Nature and Biodiversity.

Youths ages 18 to 25 are allowed to participate in the innovation challenge individually or in teams of two or three. This includes, but is not limited to, students in high school, junior college, polytechnic design school and university.

After registration, all participants must attend three compulsory virtual workshops held on Apr 8, 15 and 20, where they will be assisted firsthand by coaches from Arkki Singapore and other industry experts regarding design and sustainability.

Participants are to submit a short video pitch of at most three minutes, and an accompanying essay of 500 words or less that describes the key features of their idea and how it may affect urban cities.

They will be judged according to the following criteria: sustainability impact, innovation and creativity, feasibility and scalability, integration with other systems, and presentation and communication.

Six teams will be shortlisted to enter the finals in May, where they will present their innovations at a virtual final pitch session. Their work will also be showcased to business leaders and investors at Temasek’s annual flagship Ecosperity Week 2023 event in June.

The winner of the grand prize will receive up to $10,000 in cash and a five-day trip to Helsinki, Finland. The team coming in second will also enjoy a trip to Finland, along with $5,000, while the third team will receive $3,000. 

There will also be a $2,000 prize under the Public Choice Award, which involves members of the public voting for their favourite innovation.

Interested participants have until Apr 5 to register, and until May 5 send in their submission.