EIT RawMaterials Alumni win TOP 5 ideas in the EIT Alumni COVID-19 Map & Act Challenge
The COVID-19 pandemic has already influenced our society in an unprecedented way. The global response to the crisis has been quick and innovative, at both national and regional level. We have seen measures to relieve healthcare systems, sustain small and larger businesses, and spontaneous industry responses. Entrepreneurs have risen to the challenge to find ways to better track the virus, collaborate to produce sanitizer, masks and ventilators or help smooth the transition to online learning and working.
During the crisis, we have already seen many online activities bringing together members of the different EIT Innovation Communities. These aim to incite new ideas and produce a change for good. EIT Alumni recently ran the COVID-19 Map & Act online challenge using the Be-novative platform, encouraging members of all EIT Alumni communities to come together to collaborate and innovate. Using an online ideation process, participants formed teams and were encouraged to think outside of the box to come up with new ideas to help a resilient recovery. The central challenge was “What can European citizens and institutions do to mitigate and overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on our society?”
EIT RawMaterials Alumni find innovative solutions to overcome the impacts of the COVID-19 crisis on society
Three members of EIT RawMaterials Alumni rose to the challenge. Carolina da Silva Paes, Emilie Deram and Ariel Barcelo Basañez are all finishing their first year of the EIT Labelled Master’s programme SINReM. Carolina described the experience as a good way to get to know Alumni from other EIT Communities, as well as a chance to respond to a really current and pressing issue. Emilie also mentioned that they recently completed some courses as part of the SINReM Master’s programme where they learnt that innovation is not just confined to a business environment. The three Alumni were pleased to be able to use their creativity and put some of the knowledge they gained during the SINReM programme directly into practice!
This connection with the EIT Knowledge and Innovation Communities was a great opportunity to meet people worried about the social and economical side of COVID-19. For now, we want to discuss the ideas better and follow the advice you gave us during the webinar.
Carolina da Silva Paes, SINReM Master’s programme
Their three ideas, which achieved 1st, 2nd and 5th place, cover a wide range of topics covering themes from several EIT Innovation Communities, showing the variety and initiative coming from EIT RawMaterials Alumni.
The winning ideas
- Idea 1: a platform to connect local producers and consumers, strengthening food production ecosystems in a sustainable manner while enabling consumers to discover local services (1st place).
- Idea 2: recycling and upcycling e-waste in order to distribute it to people who currently lack access to technology (2nd place).
- Idea 3: an app for professionals who have lost their jobs as a result of the crisis. They will be connected with opportunities in different areas currently in high demand, utilising their existing skills in a different context (5th place).
