Applications open for the Global Youth Hackathon on Food (prizes ranging from USD $500 to $3,500)

June 8, 2024 oppor4u 0 Comments

The Global Youth Hackathon on Food Waste aims to involve enthusiastic individuals in creating innovative solutions at the community level to tackle the issue of food waste. Through collaboration and mentorship, participants will refine their proposals and develop actionable initiatives that can make a significant impact in reducing food waste within their communities.

Those interested in participating can submit their preliminary proposals in English, which will be evaluated by a diverse panel consisting of members from WFF, KidsforSDGs, and technical experts. The top 15 proposals will be chosen to take part in the hackathon. Each project will be assigned a mentor from a pool of food waste experts, both from within and outside the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). These mentors will conduct two live online sessions with the participants to assist them in refining their projects and pitches.

During the online hackathon, participants will present their projects to the hackathon judges in breakout rooms. Following the hackathon, contestants will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit their proposals, including a detailed budget. These revised proposals will then be re-evaluated by the same judges, who will select the top five final projects based on the improvements made. The participants of these selected projects will receive additional mentoring to prepare for live pitch presentations at the 2024 WFF flagship event in Rome.

At the WFF flagship event, the finalists will showcase their proposals to a new panel of judges and a live audience, competing for the chance to be one of the two winning projects. The prizes for the winning projects range from USD 500 to 3500.

For more information on FAO food waste resources, please visit the Technical Platform on the Measurement and Reduction of Food Loss and Waste: https://www.fao.org/platform-food-loss-waste/en

For further details on the application process, please refer to this document: https://www.world-food-forum.org/docs/devworldfoodforumlibraries/programme-ed/global-youth-hackathon-on-food-waste.pdf?sfvrsn=e42ba89a_5.

Benefits: Global Youth Hackathon on Food

During the WFF flagship event, finalists will have the opportunity to present their proposals to a new panel of judges and a live audience. This gives them a chance to compete for one of the two winning projects, with prizes ranging from USD $500 to $3,500. This not only provides recognition for their efforts but also offers financial support to further develop their ideas.

Eligibility: Global Youth Hackathon on Food

This opportunity is open to young individuals who have a genuine passion for addressing food waste issues and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in their community. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 35 at the time of the live pitch presentation. They can submit their preliminary proposals either as individuals or in groups of up to five members.

Selection Criteria: Global Youth Hackathon on Food

Applications will be evaluated based on several criteria. Firstly, applicants should demonstrate creative and innovative thinking in their proposed solutions to food waste challenges. They should showcase a willingness to think outside the box and present novel ideas or methodologies that offer unique solutions not commonly used.

Secondly, applicants should provide detailed implementation plans that outline how their proposals can be realistically executed with the available resources, timeframes, and constraints. Practicality and resourcefulness are important factors to consider, including financial viability, logistical feasibility, and regulatory compliance.

Thirdly, proposals should address specific food waste issues prevalent in the participants’ communities. Applicants should show an understanding of local needs and challenges. They should also articulate a clear vision for the potential results of their proposed solutions, demonstrating how their proposals can contribute to reducing food waste and promoting sustainability at the community level.

Lastly, applicants should demonstrate a vision for the scalability of their proposals. They should consider how their ideas can grow beyond the initial implementation phase and be sustained in the long run. Factors such as adaptability to different community settings, potential for partnerships, and ongoing resource requirements should be taken into account.

By evaluating proposals based on these criteria, the WFF aims to support and recognize innovative ideas that have the potential to make a significant impact in addressing food waste challenges and promoting sustainability.