Deadline: April 26, 2023 or March 29, 2023 (Early Entry) (Final Entry). | 2023 Ashoka/HSBC Green Changemakers Competition (Funding of about $25k)
Are you a green Changemaker catalyst for others to act in favor of a sustainable world? Do those around you have the mentality and skills necessary to contribute? The Ashoka/HSBC Green Changemakers Challenge 2023 is now accepting applications.
For the third consecutive year, Ashoka and HSBC are working together to introduce the “Green Changemakers Challenge.” Changemakers with solutions that provide people the mentality and skills to help create a sustainable and equitable future are welcome to participate in this global innovation challenge.
We are speeding toward an ecological disaster as a result of the growing risks to our planet. This is a shared task, and in order to effect real change, we need more than just individual solution-builders. We need green changemakers who inspire others to act as well; we need solutions that get everyone involved and give everyone a chance to address problems.
Focus Regions
They are looking for individuals who are:
- They are looking for ideas that are bringing more people into the climate discourse, especially those who have historically been excluded. This is done by creating inclusive avenues for everyone to contribute. These solutions boost diversity in the global community tackling climate change and are equitable by design.
- They are looking for solutions that make climate data and knowledge more accessible as well as those that tell motivating tales to inspire others to take action. This is known as transforming data and information into stories that inspire action.
- By enabling the development of new solutions, scaling up or increasing the visibility of current solutions, and giving priority to the traditional knowledge of those communities that have always protected our natural resources, they are looking for solutions that are built to support other solutions.
Prizes
Early Entry applicants (those who submit their applications by March 29 or earlier) will:
- Get Ashoka’s input on how to strengthen their applications before to the final entry deadline
- 3 contestants from this category will be chosen, and they will each get a $1,500 award and be highlighted on a social media post.
- All qualified candidates will:
- receive comments from representatives of Ashoka and/or HSBC
- In this Challenge, you’ll have the opportunity to interact with a group of environmental changemakers.
- All semi-finalists (up to 60): Will get a chance to improve their applications and take into account the screening phase’s comments
- Be praised in the announcement communications as semi-finalists.
- All finalists (up to 25) will: Get the chance to be judged and given feedback by a panel of industry professionals.
- Up to 12 winners of the challenge will be chosen in order to reflect the variety of submissions from the 3 main areas and geographical areas. The Challenge Team will choose how much money will be given to each winner. Applications chosen as winners will: be given a monetary award of at least $15,000 and as much as $25,000
- Have the chance to take part in a learning trip and mentoring program with staff from HSBC and Ashoka to help scale your solution.
Eligibility
- Your business must be in the beginning or middle stages. Late-stage businesses (those with more than 6 years of operations and/or profitability) will not be chosen for this challenge.
- At the time that you submit this application, you must be at least 18 years old.
- If your solution hasn’t been scaled up, you need to have a viable minimal solution and a clear business plan (prototype, pilot, or another proof of concept).
- If your business isn’t already incorporated (as a non-profit, for-profit, or hybrid company), you must be on the verge of doing so soon.
- There will only be English entries accepted (winners will be expected to engage in activities that require English proficiency).
- The following 34 nations may enter: Algeria, Argentina, Armenia, Australia, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Nigeria, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States of America, Uruguay, Vietnam.
Further terms:
- There will only be one application accepted per person/venture.
- Workers of HSBC, advertising agencies, marketing agencies, and other service providers for this Challenge. Are not eligible, nor are members of their immediate families (spouse, parent, child, or sibling, regardless of residence).
- Not eligible are partners, previous HSBC challenge winners, or initiatives that have already received funding. Or support from HSBC, its affiliates, subsidiaries, or joint ventures.
Application for 2023 Ashoka/HSBC Green Changemakers Competition
Visit Green Changemakers Challenge for additional details.
