Are you working on game-changing solutions for a sustainable blue economy? Apply to be an Ocean Changemaker and showcase your ideas on a global stage – supported by Destination Canada
We need innovative, passionate leaders to foster a sustainable blue economy and ensure a healthy future for our seas. Economist Impact’s World Ocean Initiative—with support from Destination Canada—is excited to host the third annual Ocean Changemakers Challenge, a competition showcasing leading changemakers working to develop business solutions to ocean-related sustainability challenges. It is aimed at early-career researchers or professionals.
How to enter
Deadline to apply: entries will close on Friday, August 19th 2022.
To enter the Ocean Changemakers challenge, applicants need to submit a short video of no longer than 1 minute in which they address the following question:
“How are you contributing to the sustainable development of the ocean economy? How would you benefit from an ocean leader as a mentor?”
The video should highlight how your work or academic study is creating innovative, viable, scalable and action-oriented business solutions to sustainable blue-economy challenges.
The video should be sent as an unlisted video link on YouTube or Vimeo, or uploaded in a common video format, such as AVCHD, AVI, FLV, MKV, MOV, MP4, WEBM or WMV.
Three finalists will be invited to present their business idea and vision for a blue economy during a special ocean changemakers session at the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit in Halifax, Canada, in October 2022. By “blue economy” we mean a sustainable ocean economy that harnesses marine ocean resources for long-term economic development and social prosperity while protecting the environment in perpetuity. This year’s challenge is supported by Destination Canada.
Winning the Ocean Changemakers Challenge and speaking at the World Ocean Summit has given us the credibility to get a seat at the table with big, influential organisations. Even though an increasing number of companies are getting serious about innovation, data and decarbonisation, securing that key first meeting still remains a major challenge for every start-up. ” – 2021 Challenge winner Casimir Morobé of Toqua
To help bring the changemakers’ ideas to life, they will receive guidance from renowned ocean leaders as part of a 12-month mentorship programme that will begin shortly before the summit.
Entrant profile
Researchers, early-career professionals, entrepreneurs and innovators with solutions to tackle some of the ocean’s greatest challenges, including for example marine pollution, overfishing and overexploitation of marine resources, unsustainable aquaculture, marine engineering and oil drilling, and destruction of ocean habitats.
Individuals who have been recognised by local communities but not yet by the international ocean community.
Individuals who are driving change locally and have innovative solutions we could learn from to scale ocean solutions rapidly.
Selection criteria
A panel of judges from both the World Ocean Initiative and the wider ocean community will review the videos and select a shortlist of 12 entrants. The videos of the shortlisted applicants will be posted on the World Ocean Initiative website and social media channels (#OceanChangemakers). Applicants will be judged according to how well their ideas meet the following criteria:
Impact on blue economy: clear link with sustainable development of the ocean
Innovative: original idea—or clear improvement on existing idea—focused on progress
Viable: should be feasible in the medium to long-term
Scalable: can be scaled up and applied in different contexts
Investable: offers opportunities for growth
Winning entries
The judges will select three winning applicants, each of whom will receive:
Travel and accommodation, in order to attend the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit in Halifax, Canada, in October 2022;
An opportunity to present the innovation to the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit audience during a dedicated session;
A dedicated “pod” where they can introduce and showcase their innovation to the World Ocean Tech and Innovation attendees; and
Mentoring from a high-profile ocean mentor, who will work with them over a 12-month period to help refine their ideas and shape their leadership skills.
Next steps
Entries will close on Friday, August 19th 2022.
Please read the terms and conditions. If you have any questions about the challenge please check the FAQs below. If you cannot find an answer to your query, email oceanchangemakers@economist.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’m not a student or young professional. Can I take part?
Yes, we are looking for anyone who is working towards innovative, viable, scalable and investable ideas with a positive impact on the blue economy. If you think your project could benefit from the mentorship programme, please send us your pitch.
What happens between the announcement of finalists and their presentations at the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit?
The three finalists will be notified and invited to attend the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit in Halifax, Canada, in October 2022, where they will be publicly announced. There will be a special Ocean Changemakers session where finalists will be introduced to their mentors. This will mark the start of the mentorship period. We will provide mentors and mentees with a mentorship pack to help them prepare, and both parties will agree on when and how to communicate for their mentorship sessions. Winners will also be announced and featured in pre-summit promotional materials, such as the World Ocean Initiative newsletter.
If I am accepted as a Changemaker, what costs are covered so I can attend the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit in person?
Travel and accommodation will be covered in order to attend the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit in Halifax, Canada, in October 2022
I am not available or willing to take part in the changemakers session taking place in Halifax in October 2022. Can I still take part?
Unfortunately, finalists are required to attend the summit in order to meet their mentors and present their ideas at the World Ocean Tech and Innovation Summit.
To apply https://www.f6s.com/ocean-changemakers-challenge-2022/apply