MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab “Innovate for Refugees” Competition
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The refugee crisis is deteriorating at an unprecedented rate and governments around the world are failing to address the atrocities. With over 20 million refugees worldwide, the greatest refugee crisis since World War II, innovative solutions are critically needed to grapple with the basic needs of the refugee community.
MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab is on a mission to find and reward tech-driven solutions to alleviate the burden of the refugee crisis. MITEF Pan Arab is launching a competition of technology projects that address the most acute hardships faced by refugees – including healthcare, food, shelter, security, education and energy. In partnership with Zain and MBC Hope and supported by UNHCR and Jusoor , MITEF Pan Arab will be rewarding three winners – of which at least one refugee team – with cash prizes and mentorship to successfully implement their project and contribute to ameliorating the conditions of the refugee population.
Timeline
Monday June 20, 2016: Website opens for applications
Thursday September 1, 2016: Deadline for applications submission
Tuesday September 20, 2016: Announcement of the 10 finalists teams
Monday October 3, 2016: Final award ceremony
For you questions, please contact: innovateforrefugees@mitefarab.org
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What is in it for entrepreneurs?
By participating in the IFR Competition, entrepreneurs will benefit on several levels: social reward by helping to alleviate the burden faced by refugees, financial reward through the prizes being offered, regional and international exposure through the media coverage that the IFR competition will be generating as well as credibility to their project if it becomes recognised by MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab, a reputable brand name in the region and beyond.
Eligibility Criteria
At least two members per team
Core product/service needs to be technology based
Core product/service needs to address a refugee problem
We strongly encourage teams of refugees or that include refugees to apply. -
Four prizes of $20,000 each will be awarded to the most innovative solutions that effectively tackle challenges faced by refugees. Of the four prizes, two are offered by the main sponsors Zain and MBC Hope and are open to solutions across categories including healthcare, energy, food, shelter and security. The third is marked for an educational solution and offered by Jusoor, an NGO established by Syrian expatriates supporting the country’s development.
The fourth prize will be crowd funded and awarded to a solution brought forward by a refugee. The MIT Enterprise Forum Pan Arab Innovate for Refugees crowdfunding campaign launches on the Generosity by Indiegogo platform today.
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To apply for the “Innovate for Refugees” Competition please follow this link
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Crowdfunding
We need your support to fund these solutions. We need your help to guarantee that the ideas get the capital needed to address the crisis. We need your support in reducing the hardships faced by refugees. We need you to help us crack the crisis. 100 percent of the donations will fund the refugee-led winning solution. Read more about our crowdfunding mission and support us by clicking on the link below.
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About the Author: Christina Kalli
