The Call for innovative sustainable solutions in FVG Region initiative is organized in the framework of the project “Boosting Youth Engagement for Sustainable Innovation”, implemented by UNIDO ITPO Italy with the financial support of the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region (FVG Region) and aimed at assisting young potential entrepreneurs, and innovators, in developing game-changing and profitable business models by fostering a community of motivated young women and men who regard an inclusive and sustainable green transition as the beginning point for entering global markets, acquiring knowledge, and sharing personal digital and green transformation experiences to build a new entrepreneurial culture. 

Climate change is one of the biggest challenges of our time, and urgent action is required to decarbonize our economies and mitigate its effects. With this in mind, a call for innovative sustainable solutions has been launched to spur the development of solutions that can enable large-scale decarbonization while also fostering socio-economic growth. 

The call aims to mobilize the brightest minds across all sectors from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region to ensure that we can make a significant difference in our fight against climate change. The selected participants will take part in twinning exchange programmes, trainings and workshops for skills upgrading enterprise development and acceleration in partnership with C-Lab UNITS - the Academy of University of Trieste and other stakeholders from Bahrain and United Arab Emirates. 

We believe that this challenge presents an opportunity to not only safeguard our planet for future generations but also create new economic opportunities for all.

 

Organizers

UNIDO is the specialized agency of the United Nations promoting industrial development initiatives under the strategic goals of reducing poverty, promoting inclusiveness and supporting environmental sustainability. UNIDO ITPO Italy (the Italian Investment and Technology Promotion Office based in Rome) was created in 1987 and has the mandate to enhance the competitiveness of SMEs in developing countries, through the mobilization of investments as well as the transfer of technology, innovation and management skills together with capacity building activities required for the implementation of industrial projects and SMEs upgrading in developing and emerging countries.

The FVG Region (the Autonomous Region of Friuli Venezia Giulia of the Republic of Italy), is a Regional Government which administrate the homonym territorial Regione on the extreme North East Italy, between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, historically represents the meeting point of the Latin, Slavic and Germanic speaking populations, being part of both Central and Mediterranean Europe at the same time. For some decades it is playing a central role in decentralized cooperation, an innovative strategy to manage international relations as a basis for the process of internationalization of the Region's territory at political, institutional, economic, social and cultural level.

C-Lab of University of Trieste

The Contamination Lab (CLab) of the University of Trieste, means a place and opportunities where to develop a project, and where to grow on a professional level, thanks to a combination of experiences and an intersection of different disciplines, briefly it is a hub based on four pillars: Training, Mentoring, Learning by doing, Making and Coworking.

The CLab represents a unique opportunity for you to: 

•                    attend innovative courses aimed to give you managing and entrepreneurial skills;

•                    work in a devoted and exclusive shared coworking space;

•                    be assisted by mentors, who will support your idea and help you in your professional growth by catalyzing transversal knowledge;

•                    get support in order to create your innovative enterprise and to launch the startup phase of your future business;

•                    take advantage of innovative tools – as a 3D printer – and learn how to handle with the essential “tool box” of the new millennium. 

Every year, 30 students enrolled at the University of Trieste (UniTs) have the unique opportunity to work for one year on their projects, side by side with business plan experts, open innovation specialists and entrepreneurial strategists.

Moreover, besides the coworking activity, especially addressed to the selected students, the Contamination Lab (CLab) offers to all students specific seminars, job placement events and training courses. 

ART. 1 – Objective of the Call

The objective of this call for ideas is to mobilize the brightest young minds across all sectors from the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region to ensure that we can make a significant difference in our fight against climate change.

Its main goal is to find innovative and sustainable solutions from the region to address the challenges posed by climate change, inspire young entrepreneurs and innovators to develop game-changing business models, and make a significant impact on a global scale.  The innovative and sustainable solutions could be related to the following themes: green technologies, circular economy, sustainable tourism, smart cities, mobility and sustainable agriculture. 

ART. 2 – Admissible candidates

The call for ideas is open to all young potential entrepreneurs, innovators, and students based in the Friuli Venezia Giulia Region (FVG Region) up to 30 years old, who are interested in making a significant difference in our fight against climate change.

Participation to the initiative is free of charge.

ART. 3 – Selection criteria

The submissions will be evaluated based on the following selection criteria:

  • Impact: how the proposed solution can contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
  • Innovation: how the proposed solution is innovative and different from the existing solutions.
  • Sustainability: how the proposed solution is sustainable and can contribute to fight against climate change.
  • Feasibility: how the proposed solution is feasible and can be implemented within a reasonable timeframe and budget.
  • Profitability: how the proposed solution is profitable and can generate revenue for the entrepreneurs and investors.

The evaluation process will be in line with the highest ethical standards and purposes of this initiative.

 

ART. 4 – Submission guidelines

The applications sent by admissible candidates by 8th October 2023 will be submitted to a screening phase and will be considered only if completed in all their parts, in English language, and coherent with the objectives of the Call.

The submission must include the following information:

  • A brief description of the proposed solution
  • A summary of the background and context
  • The competitive advantage of the project and the potential Intellectual Property protection
  • The potential impact and benefits of the proposed solution
  • An explanation of the innovation and sustainability of the proposed solution
  • A plan for the implementation and execution of the proposed solution
  • A revenue model and financial projection

The organizers have the faculty to request additional information to complete the candidature, if deemed necessary.

 

ART. 5 – Timeline

The call for ideas will be open from 1st July 2023 to 8th October 2023.

ART. 6 – AWARDS

First phase:  The Evaluation Committee will identify maximum 25 ideas to be admitted to the first phase. The selected participants (up to 25) will take part trainings and workshops for skills upgrading enterprise development and acceleration in partnership with C-Lab UNITS - the Academy of University of Trieste and other stakeholders. 

Second phase: The Evaluation Committee will select the top ten ideas. The selected participants (up to 10) will have the opportunity to participate in twinning exchange programmes in Bahrain and United Arab Emirates (flight and accommodation will be covered for one representative for each selected project/idea). 

 

ART. 7 - INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

The intellectual property rights of the submissions will remain with the authors. However, by submitting an idea, the authors agree to grant UNIDO ITPO Italy and the Friuli Venezia Giulia Autonomous Region (FVG Region) the right to use, reproduce, and publish the idea for non-commercial purposes.

ART. 8 - Privacy policy

Personal data of the participants will be processed by the organizers of this Call, acting as autonomous data controller, in compliance with the regulations on personal data processing. In particular:

UNIDO ITPO Italy

During the submission phase, applicants will be asked to provide personal (including submission date and applicant’s IP address) and non-personal information. This information will be collected only with the user’s knowledge and permission, and will be kept in the JotForm Inc. platforms, outside UNIDO ITPO Italy systems. Personal data will only be used by UNIDO ITPO Italy, for the following purposes: internal audit, to communicate with applicants and sending information about this initiative. Personal and non-personal data will not be made available to third parties without previous authorization by the applicant – except for the FVG Region, C-Lab UNITS - the Academy of University of Trieste and Regional stakeholders/partners of this initiative. In addition, personal and non-personal data may be also disclosed to Law Authorities for security reasons.

Participating applicants acknowledge that the organizer intends to carry out a fair and open competition, with no expectation of incurring liability by virtue of such participation.

Applicants declare that any image or footage involved in their applications were taken by them or that they received permission to use them, and that such materials may be used by UNIDO as provided for in these Terms and Conditions. Applicants also declare that, if applicable, permission to submit the entry in this competition has been given to them by their employer.

Applicants accept that they will be contacted by the Organizer regarding follow-up activities arising from this competition.

UNIDO ITPO Italy’s privacy and disclaimer policies apply. Links to non-UNIDO websites are provided solely as a pointer to information on topics that may be useful to UNIDO staff, Member States and the public.

The use of particular designations of countries or territories does not imply any judgement by UNIDO as to the legal status of such countries or territories, of their authorities and institutions or of the delimitation of their boundaries.

The mention of names of specific companies or products (whether or not indicated as registered) does not imply any intention to infringe proprietary rights, nor should it be construed as an endorsement or recommendation on the part of UNIDO.

Applicants acknowledge that UNIDO and UNIDO ITPO Italy are not going to be part of any non-disclosure agreement with respect to any document or information of any kind or nature that applicants submit to the Competition (“Disclosed Information”). All disclosed information is expressly agreed to be not confidential, with no restrictions on the use or disclosure of the disclosed information.

Nothing in and relating to these Terms and Conditions or the competition will be deemed a waiver of any of the privileges and immunities of UNIDO and UNIDO ITPO Italy.

Applicants release and hold UNIDO and UNIDO ITPO Italy harmless from any claim, liability, damage, demand or action, of any kind or nature arising out of any of the activities of the competition –  including without limitation: (i) decisions on competition winners and disqualifications, regardless of whether such actions are willful or negligent, and (ii) any other injury, loss, cost, harm, liability or damage sustained by applicants as a result of any participation in the Competition, regardless of whether such injury, loss, cost, harm, liability or damage results from negligence or willful misconduct of the Organizer.