Di Dai, Senior Media Associate, Public Affairs, World Economic Forum, Tel.: +86 18322504217; E-mail: di.dai@weforum.org
Tianjin, People’s Republic of China, 11 September 2014 – The Chennai Hub of the Global Shapers Community has been awarded the grand prize of a 50,000 CHF grant in the World Economic Forum’s ClimateSHAPE challenge with its project “Kabadiwalla Connect”. The project is a unique online platform that allows local rubbish collectors in India to collaborate with businesses and individuals on schemes to reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills.
The impact of the initiative is expected to reduce by 25%-40% the amount of CO2 emissions of the landfills targeted and the funding is expected to help scale the project towards other communities. In addition, a design collective will be developed that will allow for the creation of innovative products sourced from local rubbish collectors, who are known as “kabadiwallas”.
“The issue of waste is a perfect entry point because it is already an issue that has a lot of traction in Indian cities. Waste management is an issue that youth is very passionate about, and talking about waste allows us to tap into this large group of people who can take action and drive impact.”, said Siddharth Hande, project manager for Kabadiwalla Connect.
The other finalist Hubs will each receive 10,000 CHF that will be used for the same purpose. They include the Tunis Hub, Zurich Hub, Melbourne Hub, Paramaribo Hub, and Salvador de Bahia Hub. A description of Hub projects can be found here.
ClimateSHAPE was launched by the World Economic Forum as a challenge to today’s youth to help develop and scale up projects in their local communities that will have an impact on climate change. Global Shapers Hubs that presented the most innovative and impactful projects were awarded 100,000 CHF in grants. Projects were submitted by 60 Hubs from 44 countries.
The finalists, as well as the grand prize winner, were selected by a high-level jury led by Christian Rynning-Tønnesen, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Norwegian renewable energy company Statkraft, who was instrumental in creating ClimateSHAPE. Other jury members included H.R.H. Crown Princess Mette-Marit of Norway and Ken Berlin, President and Chief Executive Officer of The Climate Reality Project, the initiative founded by Al Gore. A complete of list of jury members can be found here: ClimateSHAPE jury.
The Global Shapers Community, an initiative of the World Economic Forum, is a network of city-based Hubs developed and led by young people who are exceptional in their potential, their achievement and their drive to make a contribution to their communities.
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