Through the Sustainable Innovation Challenge, organized by Enactus EUR and EUREOS, students are given the opportunity to turn their business ideas into action. Only requirements: The project ideas have to empower a certain group of people, while being business-driven.
In the context of the challenge, sustainable innovation refers to the creation of ideas that lead to self-sustaining projects. “A self-sustaining project is one that employs a group of people disadvantaged in society and in its ultimate stage aims to be run entirely by this group of people or an external partner,” explains Nicolas Tobis, Vice Chairman at Enactus EUR.
How does it work?
Students with an idea for a self-sustaining project can submit their business plans to [email protected] until May 10th. On May 14th, selected teams will have the opportunity to consult with business advisors from Unilever, Ernst & Young, and Symbid in order to improve their ideas. The most promising project groups will have to present their ideas on May 16th, based on which a four-headed jury will determine the winner. “The best idea will become an Enactus project and be rolled out during the upcoming academic year,” says Tobis.
Who can participate?
So, all students that are willing and able to pursue their idea throughout the academic year 2013/14 can participate in the Sustainable Innovation Challenge. “At EUREOS and Enactus, we aim for diversity and do not want to limit ourselves to a singular target group,” explains Tobis.
Benefits of participating
According to Tobis, participating in the Sustainable Innovation Challenge has a number of benefits. On the most obvious level, students get the chance to put their ideas into action. And who would not want to discuss their business plans with prestigious companies such as Unilever or Ernst & Young? Moreover, “thinking of an initial project idea broadens the students’ horizons regarding social entrepreneurship. And in the final round, students will present in front of a large audience, thereby improving their presentation skills,” says Tobis. NL
