Overview
The Innovative Community Solutions Challenge invites participants to develop creative and practical solutions to address pressing issues within their communities. This competition encourages innovative thinking and collaboration among individuals and teams to create impactful projects that can enhance sustainability, health, social inclusion, technology, and other vital areas that positively influence local communities.
Competition Timeline
Open registration for all participants. Late submissions will not be accepted.
Participants work on their projects. Workshops and mentorship sessions will be available.
All projects must be submitted by this time. Late submissions will not be considered.
Judges review submissions and select the finalists.
Winners will be announced on our website and social media.
Prize Information
Total Prize Pool
100,0001st Place
50,0002nd Place
30,0003rd Place
20,000Eligibility
- Open to individuals and teams (up to 5 members)
- Participants must be at least 18 years old
- All community-focused ideas are welcome, regardless of prior experience
Submission Requirements
Project Proposal
A detailed document (maximum 5 pages) outlining:
- The problem being addressed
- The proposed solution
- Target audience
- Implementation plan
- Expected impact on the community
Prototype/Demo
A working prototype, model, or visual representation of the solution. This could be in the form of:
- A video
- A presentation
- A physical model
Presentation
A 10-minute presentation (live or recorded) summarizing the project, followed by a Q&A session with the judges.
Meet Our Judges
Dr. Amina Tesfaye
Community Development SpecialistDr. Tesfaye has over 15 years of experience in community development and has worked with various NGOs to implement sustainable projects in underserved areas.
Mr. Samuel Kedir
Social EntrepreneurMr. Kedir is the founder of a successful social enterprise that focuses on providing technology solutions for local businesses and enhancing digital literacy in the community.
Ms. Lidia Mengistu
Innovation ExpertMs. Mengistu has a decade of experience in fostering innovation and has been instrumental in launching several successful startups in the tech industry.
Ready to Make an Impact?
Apply NowFor more information, contact us at competitions@ecybered.com or join our Discord community for support and feedback.
Challenge Updates
Recent Updates
December 20, 2024 - Important Reminder: Submission Deadline Approaching!
Don’t forget to submit your project by December 25th! Make sure to review the submission guidelines before submitting.
December 12, 2024 - Workshop on Project Management a Success!
Our recent workshop on project management was a huge success, with participants gaining valuable insights and skills to help them develop their projects.
Helpful Resources
Helpful Courses
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Web Coding and Apache Basics
With no prior experience, you will have the opportunity to walk through hands-on examples with Hadoop and Spark frameworks, two of the most common ...
advancedQuick Resources
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Find answers to frequently asked questions about the competition rules, submission process, and judging criteria. We’ve compiled a comprehensive FAQ to address common queries.
Q2: How can I form a team for the competition? A2: You can form a team by collaborating with friends, classmates, or colleagues who share your passion for community improvement. If you're looking for team members, consider reaching out through social media, community boards, or local organizations to find like-minded individuals.
Q3: Is there a specific format for the project proposal? A3: While there is no strict format, your project proposal should be clear and concise, ideally structured to include sections on the problem, solution, target audience, implementation plan, and expected impact. We recommend using headings and bullet points for clarity, and keeping it within the 5-page limit.
Q4: What resources are available to help me develop my project? A4: We will provide access to a resource library on our website, which includes guides, templates, and links to relevant articles and tools. Additionally, we will host workshops on project development and presentation skills throughout the competition period.
Q5: Can I submit a project that I have previously worked on? A5: Yes, you can submit a project that you have previously worked on, as long as it is adapted to fit the competition's focus on community solutions and you clearly outline how it addresses a specific community issue. However, we encourage you to innovate and enhance your project for this challenge.
Q6: What happens if I miss the submission deadline? A6: Unfortunately, late submissions will not be accepted. We recommend setting personal deadlines ahead of the official deadline to ensure you have ample time to finalize your project and avoid any last-minute issues.
Q7: How will the Q&A session with judges be conducted? A7: After your presentation, judges will have the opportunity to ask questions to clarify aspects of your project. This can be done live during the presentation or through a recorded format, depending on your submission method. Be prepared to discuss your project in detail and defend your ideas.
Q8: Are there any restrictions on the type of technology I can use for my project? A8: There are no specific restrictions on technology; however, your solution should be practical and feasible for implementation within your community. We encourage you to consider the resources available in your area and how your technology can be effectively utilized.
Q9: Will there be networking opportunities during the competition? A9: Yes! We will facilitate networking opportunities through online forums and scheduled events where participants can connect with each other, mentors, and judges. This is a great chance to share ideas, seek feedback, and build relationships within the community.
Q10: How can I stay updated on competition announcements and events? A10: To stay informed, we recommend subscribing to our newsletter and following our official social media channels. Important updates, reminders, and event details will be shared regularly to keep participants engaged and informed.
Support
Need extra help? Join our vibrant Discord community for support, questions, and feedback from fellow participants and our team!
Competition Rules
Official Rules: Digital Innovation Challenge
1. Application Stage (December 1st – December 10th, 2024)
To participate in the Digital Innovation Challenge, you must submit a complete application form by 11:59 PM PST on December 10th, 2024. The application must include a project proposal outlining your concept, team members (if applicable), and a brief description of your planned approach. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered.
2. Eligibility
This competition is open to individuals and teams of up to four members. Participants must be at least 18 years of age and legally reside in [Specify Region/Country]. Employees of [Your Organization], its affiliates, subsidiaries, advertising and promotion agencies, and their immediate family members are not eligible to participate.
3. Project Requirements
Submitted projects must align with the competition’s theme of [Competition Theme]. Projects must be original and not infringe on any existing intellectual property rights. Participants are responsible for obtaining any necessary licenses or permissions for any third-party materials used in their projects. Projects must be fully functional and demonstrable.
4. Intellectual Property Rights
By submitting a project, participants grant [Your Organization] a non-exclusive, royalty-free, worldwide, perpetual license to use, reproduce, modify, adapt, publish, translate, create derivative works from, distribute, and display the submitted project, in whole or in part, in any media now known or hereafter devised, for any purpose, including promotional and marketing purposes. Participants retain ownership of their intellectual property but grant the aforementioned license.
5. Publicity
Participants agree to allow [Your Organization] to use their names, likenesses, and project details for publicity and promotional purposes in connection with the competition, without further compensation.
6. Judging and Criteria (December 26th – December 31st, 2024)
Projects will be judged by a panel of experts in [Relevant Fields]. Judging criteria will include:
- Innovation and originality (30%)
- Technical merit and functionality (30%)
- Potential impact and societal benefit (20%)
- Presentation and clarity (20%)
The judges’ decisions are final and binding.
7. Winners (January 5th, 2025)
Winners will be announced on January 5th, 2025, on the competition website and social media channels. Prizes will be awarded as follows:
- First Place: [Prize Details]
- Second Place: [Prize Details]
- Third Place: [Prize Details]
Winners will be notified via email and may be required to provide additional information to claim their prizes.
8. Submission Modifications (December 11th – December 25th, 2024)
Participants may submit modifications to their projects during the development phase (December 11th – December 25th, 2024). However, the final submission must be received by 11:59 PM PST on December 25th, 2024.
9. Disputes
Any disputes arising from this competition will be resolved in accordance with the laws of [Specify Jurisdiction].
10. Personal Information
The personal information collected from participants will be used solely for the purpose of administering the competition and will be handled in accordance with our privacy policy [Link to Privacy Policy].
11. Liability
[Your Organization] is not liable for any loss, damage, or injury arising from participation in this competition. Participants assume all risks associated with their participation.
12. Additional Terms
[Your Organization] reserves the right to modify these rules at any time. Any changes will be posted on the competition website. By participating in this competition, you agree to be bound by these rules and any subsequent modifications. These rules constitute the entire agreement between you and [Your Organization] regarding this competition.
Contact Information
For any questions or clarifications regarding these rules, please contact us at [Your Contact Email Address].
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