Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has – Margaret Mead
We only have 10 years to transform the world! Some might argue that this is an overstatement but with just 10 years to go, there is a need to accelerate the progress in delivering the 2030 agenda by the 193 UN member states. Progress in achieving the Goals in some member states has been slow or even reversed according to HPLF.
It is time to mobilize everyone to make the Global goals their own and put innovation at the heart of sustainability. The good news is that more businesses in Africa are supporting the 2030 Agenda. We at MK-Africa have just launched the 4th edition of our annual SDGs Innovation Challenge for university and college students in the region.
The competition encourages the development of ideas around the SDGs that will help find home-grown solutions to Africa’s most pressing developmental challenges. Due to the broadness of the 17 Global Goals, #MyLittleBigThing categorically addresses the SDGs through strategic groupings in line with Africa’s SDGs priorities. In 2019, the challenge focused on the first 5 SDGs (SDGs 1 – 5) i.e. ‘unfinished business from the Millennium Development Goals’.
In 2020, entries to the competition are focused on the next set of 6 SDGs (SDGs 6 – 11) i.e., ‘New Areas not covered by the MDGs’. In focusing on specific SDGs, #MyLittleBigThing aims to promote knowledge, raise awareness, and seek opportunities, and foster the implementation of these SDGs.
We also aim to equip university and college students with relevant knowledge on the focus SDGs. Those interested in participating in the 2020 competition are encouraged to visit our online learning platform (learning.mylittlebigthing.com) and take a free course on the SDGs. A certificate is issued after successful completion of the modules and this will earn them 10 extra points in the 2020 competition.
Entries to the competition close on 23rd April 2020.
The best 15 candidates will attend the #MyLittleBigThing Academy 2-day training program during which they will receive guidance on how to prepare a prototype and to effectively pitch their ideas. Each of the finalists will work with a mentor for the next 4 weeks to develop and test their ideas with their communities. #MyLittleBigThing team will visit the projects in the final week to record the testing of the idea.
All the videos recorded will be put up on #MyLittleBigThing website and the public invited to vote for their best project. The 7 students with the most votes will be invited to present their ideas before a panel of judges during the final event at Michael Joseph Centre. The top 3 students selected by the judges will attend the Sustainability Practitioners Program in South Africa while all finalists get Sustainability and Entrepreneurship training and mentorship through the #MyLittleBigThing Academy.
Will you join the decade of action? Visit www.mylittlebigthing.com today to apply!