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- Competition aims to develop new circular economy solutions for packaging waste including plastic
Abu Dhabi: Masdar’s Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) platform has launched the fifth edition of its Ecothon Innovation Challenge under the initiative’s Future Sustainability Leaders (FSL) program, to develop circular economy solutions to tackle waste.
Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S), a Masdar outreach initiative, invests and actively supports the development of youth, with the objective of enabling them to become the sustainability leaders of tomorrow.
The circular economy topic was selected to provide participants with the opportunity to propose solutions to a real-world problem. Plastic pollution is one of the world’s most challenging sustainability issues, and as waste management problems have intensified across the globe, there has been an increasing need to develop and re-design products based on the principles of the circular economy.
More than 60 Future Sustainability Leaders, in eight separate teams, will participate in the Ecothon and will each select one of two challenges: “How we might use new & recyclable materials for packaging, production & design?” and “How might we work with society, governments and corporations to encourage responsible behavior toward a single-use plastic-free future?”
With the help of mentors from supporting companies Khalifa Fund for Enterprise Development, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an and Nestle, each team will present their final pitches to a panel of judges to decide the winning team.
“The Youth 4 Sustainability platform launched the Ecothon to invest in youth and directly support their education and development. The challenge aims to develop the participants’ skills and knowledge in innovation, social entrepreneurship, collaboration and critical thinking, to enable them to become future business leaders and innovators, while supporting the global sustainability agenda,” said Dr Lamya Fawwaz, Executive Director, Brand & Strategic Initiatives, Masdar.
The challenge will run for almost three months and the participating teams receive approximately 50 hours of mentoring and training on design thinking and insights for innovation, ideation, prototyping and pitching. The winning team will be connected with potential incubators for mentorship and to help them advance their idea.
The platform hosts two year-long programs – the Future Sustainability Leaders and Sustainability Ambassadors programs, which aim to build the next generation of sustainability leaders.
The Future Sustainability Leaders connects university students and professionals aged 18-35 with global leaders, policymakers and technology pioneers to learn about sustainability best practice and leadership.
The Ecothon competition was launched in 2019 and offers early incubation and acceleration opportunities to Y4S cohorts through mentoring and networking.
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About Masdar
Abu Dhabi’s renewable energy company Masdar is advancing the commercialization and deployment of renewable energy, sustainable urban development and clean technologies to address global sustainability challenges. Wholly owned by Mubadala Investment Company, the strategic investment company of the Government of Abu Dhabi, our mandate is to help maintain the UAE’s leadership in the global energy sector, while supporting the diversification of both its economy and energy sources for the benefit of future generations. Masdar’s renewable energy projects are located in the UAE, Jordan, Mauritania, Egypt, Morocco, the UK, Serbia and Spain.
Contacts:
E-mail: press@masdar.ae
Tel enquiries in English: +971 2 653 6014
For more information please visit: http://www.masdar.ae and connect: facebook.com/masdar.ae and twitter.com/masdar
About Youth 4 Sustainability
The Youth 4 Sustainability (Y4S) initiative provides opportunities that enable young people to become active leaders in the world’s transition to a more sustainable future. Mentorship, engagement opportunities and educational programs are developed for students and young professionals to strengthen the talent pipeline of sustainability leaders. At ADSW, Y4S is represented by an interactive hub that attracts around 3,000 students throughout the week.
© Press Release 2021
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