Challenge Statement
We are seeking the creation of new or the development of early-stage products, technology, and/or services to encourage the reduction or elimination of plastic usage across Sub-Saharan Africa.
By the end of the Challenge, successful community-centered products and services will have demonstrated a sustainable approach to reducing the reliance on plastic that also supports the empowerment of women and girls.
What you can win
In February 2022, 25 Semi-Finalists will be selected and each receive a £25,000 grant.
In June 2022, of those 25 Semi-Finalists, 10 will be selected to move forward to the finalist stage and will receive a grant of £75,000 to support in the development and validation of their solutions.
In February 2023, at the end of this finalist stage, the 10 finalists will be required to submit a detailed development plan, together with a pitch video for evaluation by the judges against the criteria (see the Applicant Handbook for more details).
In March 2023, three winners will be selected and receive the following awards:
- First Place: £750,000
- Second Plasce: £250,000
- Third Place: £100,000
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have a new or early-stage idea that seeks to reduce or eliminate plastic usage across Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Ideas must be focused in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Applicants can be formally constituted and operating in Sub-Saharan Africa as either a registered business or NGO, but applications from individuals and community groups will also be accepted.
- Applicants can be an individual, single entity (organisation or community group), an African partnership or an international partnership. For partnership applications, the nominated lead applicant must be operating in Sub-Saharan Africa.
- Applicants must own or be licensed to use relevant intellectual property included in their applications. If your application is proposing a new idea, then Nesta would expect that you would own all resulting intellectual property which may be able to be registered on a local basis if you become a successful participant in the Challenge. Nesta would not be able to give you specific legal advice on the protection or exploitation of intellectual property.
Apply Now
The Afri-Plastics Challenge Strand 2 Creating Solutions opens for entries on Wednesday, 06 October 2021, 09:00 (BST) and closes on Wednesday 01 December 2021 at 12 noon (BST).
Following the closing date on Wednesday 01 December 2021 at 12 noon (BST), entries for the will be screened for eligibility and assessed. A diverse portfolio of entries that best meet the relevant assessment criteria will be long-listed by a group of external assessors, then later shortlisted by a Judging Panel.
We strongly encourage all entrants to read the Applicant Handbook along with the full Terms and Conditions before entering the Challenge.