ERBIL, Kurdistan (September 20th, 2017) - As part of the Sustainable Energy Action Plan campaign, the Student Innovation Competition on Sustainable Energy 2017 Award ceremony was held at the University of Kurdistan-Hawler to award the winners of the competition.
Rwanga Foundation was a valuable partner in the competition launched by Local Area Development Program (LADP), implemented by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and funded by the European Union (EU). The competition was launched in January 2017 and involved 50 projects, which were received and evaluated by a panel, containing four categories: Resource conservation and/or energy efficiency, transport in cities, renewable energy sources and smart technologies. University students individually, or as a team, were encouraged to apply. The competition supported the idea of students working together with their team members and/or mentors and professors as to show collaborative efforts in solving some of today’s global challenges – climate change and environmental protection.
As a conclusion to the competition, the award ceremony was organized for young, talented and creative innovators who submitted their projects. Among total of 12 nominated projects, 8 winners were announced including a winner of People’s Choice Award that was presented at the end of the ceremony. Around 250 people attended the ceremony including representatives from the government, NGOs, academic institutions and private companies. Additionally, the ceremony included live music and performances.
Zirak Hamad, Director of Public Relations and Media at Rwanga Foundation said :“ Rwanga Foundation highlights the idea of providing opportunities to youth and students by using their creative skills to serve the community. We are partnering in this competition because it matches two of our main focal areas - education and environment. We also provide similar opportunities with the Rwanga Awards with a purpose of discovering the talents, strengthening the confidence and finding all types of artistic, literary, and scientific projects developed by young people. We are very pleased to see that high number of youth and students submitted their projects and were awarded for their brilliance, efforts and hard work. We are confident that such competitions are very necessary for Kurdistan in order to preserve the energy !''
Isabela Uribe, UNDP Head of Office in Erbil, stated: “UNDP recognizes the key role that youth play in tackling climate change and works closely with youth-led and youth-focused organizations in Kurdistan. Tackling climate change requires concerted coordinated government action as well as conscious and informed efforts by individuals. That is why we have chosen to include the youth as a key community mobilizer through this competition. Now, because of their ideas and creativity, we have 12 great and breakthrough projects including some of international importance. We shall remain dedicated in engaging all community actors in solving this challenge and together work toward green economic growth !”
The competition supports projects that protect, preserve and improve the environment for the present and future generations, proposing and implementing policies that ensure a high level of environmental protection and preserve the quality of life.
