Stanchart Bank Climate Change Innovation Challenge To Attract Over 30 Schools
The participating students are expected to develop a solution to an environmental issue affecting their school or community.
The importance of young people in the conservation of biodiversity has been brought to the fore after Standard Chartered Bank Uganda in partnership with Environmental Conservation Trust of Uganda (ECOTRUST) today launched the Climate Change Innovation Challenge.
The Challenge will see secondary school students in the Kampala Metropolitan Area use their critical thinking and research skills to come up with innovative solutions to environmental issues affecting their communities.
The Climate Change Innovation Challenge that was launched at Old Kampala Secondary School is one of the Standard Chartered Bank’s long-month planned environmental initiatives that will see the 5 innovative proposals will each be funded to a tune of USD1,000 to implement the ideas. Altogether, USD18,565 is up for grabs in this Challenge. The Innovation Challenge core objective is to further advance the bank’s bold stand of ‘Accelerating Net Zero’.
The Corporate Affairs Brand and Marketing manager of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, Margaret Kigozi, said the youth are an important constituency in the conservation of biodiversity and have a huge impact on it.
“Their strong comprehension on sustainability which advocates for reduction in footprints and improved quality of life across sectors and industries is essential for the future. We are therefore excited to see several schools coming on board and eager to take part in this Climate Change Innovation Challenge.” Kigozi said.
The Lead Forest Officer Ministry of Water & Environment, Bob Kazungu, commended the bank and its partners for involving the youth in promoting environmental conservation and being proactive in finding solutions to solve the environmental challenges.
“The innovation challenge is indeed a good example of ‘best practices’ in the fight against climate change associated effects and as government we pledge our continued collaboration with the bank in your climate change journey.” Kazungu said and appealed to various communities to all play a role in solving this issue by first and foremost changing their mindset towards environmental conservation.
How Schools Can Participate
- Invitations to participate in the Climate Change Innovation Challenge will be sent out to at least 30 (thirty) schools within the Kampala Metropolitan Area.
- The participating students are expected to develop a solution to an environmental issue affecting their school or community. The students report on the problem and their proposed solution through a clear “action plan” and an itemized budget in line with the activities set in the proposal.
- Students are strongly encouraged to work in teams.
- The proposals are to be submitted via email to scbchallenge@ecotrust.or.ug by 5 pm on the 3rd of July 2022 in advance of the final pitching by 10 shortlisted schools to be held on 8th of July 2022.
The shortlisted school – teams will be invited to the pitching event and will be given 10 minutes to present their action plans Infront of a panel of judges.
The winning ideas will be recognized and awarded at the event on 8th July 2022. The top 5 winners will each receive USD 1000 whilst the other participants will also walk away with gifts courtesy of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda.
