About
What is the InnovAction Challenge 2.0?
InnovAction Challenge 2.0 is a special category of the Talent and Innovation Competitions of the Americas (“TIC Americas”), a success-proven, annual program that has operated uninterruptedly since created in 2007. The InnovAction Challenge 2.0 drives sustainable growth by accelerating current and new initiatives or businesses to increase the socio-economic participation of vulnerable groups. The program will identify and award innovative solutions and new business models that contribute to energy efficiency and natural resource management in different sectors.
InnovAction, what does it mean?
The term InnovAction was coined in 2001, by YABT founder Roy Thomasson and by Dr. Jaime Amsel, a widely recognized innovation and organizational development specialist. They identified that, even though there was extensive theoretical documentation and material for teaching innovation techniques, there was a lack of practical, hands-on curricula or material to ensure innovation occurs.
They developed a practical training curriculum that YABT has used for over a decade in Business Labs workshops.
What role can youth play?
Young entrepreneurs are playing and can continue to play a leading role in influencing and finding solutions to environmental challenges. This competition seeks to strengthen young people’s capacity to take action in the areas that matter most to them, whether it’s through reducing gas leaks, fostering eco-friendly transportation, protecting wetlands, or making building materials more energy efficient.
What kind of solutions can participate?
Increasing energy efficiency and reducing waste
We’re seeking ideas for initiatives and new business models centered on reducing emissions by addressing waste, improving efficiency and eliminating leaks, or shifting production or sources of energy use. Examples could include solutions for:
- Reducing or reclaiming food waste.
- Switching to biogas for cooking.
- Installing insulation or LED lighting.
- Building green and cool roofs.
- Capturing and digesting methane.
- Managing refrigerants or methane leaks.
- Building bicycle infrastructure, to name a few.
Protecting and managing natural resources: uplift natures’ absorption cycle
We’re looking for business ideas and initiatives to promote sustainable livelihoods and food security while maintaining healthy oceans, soil, and forests. Examples could include solutions for:
- Protecting and restoring coasts, wetlands, or forests.
- Farming seaweed.
- Enhancing soil fertility naturally.
- Improving fisheries.
- Producing biochar.
- Promoting agroforestry and regenerative agriculture.
- Encouraging diets rich in fruits, grains, and vegetables.
- Ensuring Indigenous peoples´ forest tenure, among many others.