Eejaadhu Council Innovation Challenge 2023 Applications to Close Soon

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The Eejaadhu Council Innovation Challenge 2023, a collaborative initiative between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Maldives and the Local Government Authority, is set to conclude its application phase on 22nd June 2023. This initiative aims to encourage innovative ideas and promote the utilization of unconventional resources by local councils across the country.
📢ކައުންސިލުތަކަށް އަމާޒުކޮށްގެން ހިންގޭ "އީޖާދު ކައުންސިލް އިނޮވޭޝަން ޗެލެންޖް" އަށް އެޕްލިކޭޝަން ހުށަހެޅުމުގެ ފުރުސަތު މިހާރު ވަނީ ހުޅުވާލެވިފައި. މި ޗެލެންޖު ކާމިޔާބުކުރާ ކައުންސިލަށް500،000 ރުފިޔާގެ ގްރާންޓެއް ދިނުމަށްވަނީ ހަމަޖެހިފައި@milg_lga @UNDPMaldives #eejaadhuCIC pic.twitter.com/D927T9rCWi
— Local Government Authority (@lgaMaldives) June 1, 2023
Traditionally, creative and organic solutions developed by communities to address localized issues have often remained confined to their immediate surroundings. The innovation space in the Maldives has been centralized, limiting its reach beyond urban centers. To address this challenge, the council innovation challenge seeks to provide an opportunity for councils to pilot community-specific, innovative, and scalable projects that can benefit other communities as well.
Drawing inspiration from the success of the UNDP Maldives’ social innovation camp, Miyaheli, the council innovation challenge aims to build the capacity of local governments to design and execute projects with the potential for scalability and sustainability. Similar innovation challenges held worldwide have yielded remarkable results.
The objectives of the Eejaadhu Council Innovation Challenge are:
- Enhance the capacity of local governments to develop innovative concepts for community interventions, incorporating cutting-edge technologies, project management techniques, and sustainable practices.
- Enable local governments to pilot and experiment with innovative solutions utilizing available resources within their jurisdiction and beyond to generate revenue.
- Showcase successful innovations to inspire other local governments to adopt similar approaches within their communities.
- Provide an opportunity for local governments to scale up innovative projects and collaborate with local authority companies for long-term sustainability.
The application process for the challenge will shortlist 12 councils to participate in a 4-day bootcamp, where they will receive guidance from experts in the field to develop their innovative interventions. On the final day of the bootcamp, the participating teams will present their ideas to a panel of judges and donors who will select the winning project. The winning council will receive a maximum funding of MVR 500,000 over a year, along with technical support and networking opportunities to implement their project.
Eligibility for the challenge is open to all local governments in the Maldives, excluding city councils. Each participating council is encouraged to nominate a councilor, the secretary general, and a project focal point to lead the implementation of the program. While all island and atoll councils are eligible to apply, five slots will be reserved for councils with a total budget of less than MVR 6.5 million. This provision ensures inclusive participation and equal opportunities for all councils to enhance their capacities.
The timeline for the Eejaadhu Council Innovation Challenge is as follows:
- Announcement: 1 June 2023
- Itch workshop: 11 June 2023 (Registration required)
- Application deadline: 22 June 2023
- Notification of successful councils: 4 July 2023
- Bootcamp: 16-20 July 2023
- Pitch day and winner announcement: 20 July 2023
The itch workshop, scheduled for 11 June 2023, aims to assist councils in mapping their problems, filling out the application, and addressing any queries they may have. Councils are requested to register for the workshop in advance to facilitate the organizing process.
The Eejaadhu Council Innovation Challenge holds great promise for local governments in the Maldives to unlock their potential for innovation and create sustainable solutions for their communities. Through this initiative, the UNDP Maldives and the Local Government Authority aim to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration among councils, paving the way for positive change and progress throughout the country.