Deadline: May 31, 2024
Applications are open for the ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge (ABIC) 2024. The ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge represents a unique initiative aimed at fostering the development of the blue economy in ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste. It seeks to identify, finance, and support innovative solutions geared towards the conservation and sustainable management of marine ecosystems, coastal areas, and freshwater resources. In addition to providing financial support, it facilitates connections between innovators and potential stakeholders, including investors and business entities.
The ABIC is interested in both novel approaches and adaptations of existing methodologies that demonstrate practicality, scalability, and potential for positive impact. Furthermore, alignment with Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including SDG5, SDG7, SDG8, SDG9, SDG10, SDG13, and SDG14 is encouraged to promote comprehensive progress in sustainable development across the ASEAN region and other relevant areas. This initiative itself will emphasize on four topics aligned to in the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework, which are listed below:
- Climate Issues
- Marine Plastic Pollution
- Sustainable Fisheries
- Sustainable Coastal Tourism
About the Challenge
Acknowledging the pivotal role of the Blue Economy in fostering economic growth within ASEAN and recognizing the pressing need to address its challenges, ASEAN through the ASEAN Coordinating Committee on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (ACCMSME) endorsed the implementation of ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation Project, with the support of the Government of Japan and UNDP working out of its office in Jakarta. This initiative aims to display innovative solutions sourced from diverse stakeholders — innovative micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), start-ups, local communities, women’s organizations, academic institutions, and civil society entities—with the goal of advancing the blue economy across the ASEAN countries and Timor-Leste, building upon the recent adoption of the ASEAN Blue Economy Framework.
Through the promotion of cutting-edge technological innovations via inventive competitions, the ASEAN Blue Economy Innovation project endeavours to safeguard marine and freshwater ecosystems, drive progress in oceanic climate solutions, and advocate for circular approaches to address plastic pollution, all while enhancing traceability in sustainable fisheries. These efforts are not mere strategic maneuvers but rather imperative actions toward safeguarding our planet’s oceans and fostering sustainable development.
This project is set to be implemented through the ‘ASEAN Blue Innovation Challenge (ABIC)’ in which ‘call for proposals’ will serve as a pivotal mechanism in its early phases. This Participants’ Handbook is aimed to function as a comprehensive guide providing details on the objectives, scope, targeted participants, guidelines, and procedures for the ABIC. Intended for the general public, this document will serve as a roadmap for interested applicants, providing guidance throughout the application process and elaborating the basis for the selection process, as well as what to anticipate in the post-selection phase.
Benefits
Out of all applications, a maximum of 200 will be selected on a competitive basis as finalists and 60 applicants will be admitted into the Capacity Building Programme and will receive financial support awarded as specified below:
- For the 60 Selected Awardees:
- Capacity building programme: Technical assistance and mentorship in preparation and during the piloting period.
- Funding: Maximum USD $40,000 for up to six months to pilot or proof of concept of the innovations. Out of a total of 60 awards, 44 awards are guaranteed to the most promising innovations within each targeted country (i.e. 4 awards per country). Additionally, 16 awards will be contested across all targeted countries.
- For All Applicants:
- Outreach: Solutions submitted could potentially be included in upcoming UNDP publications that are shared with national, regional, and global partners for public outreach, upon consent.
Eligibility
- The target participants for the ABIC are both profit-oriented and non-profit entities that are legally registered in at least one of the ASEAN Member States and/or Timor-Leste and have innovative solutions focusing on at least one of the 4 main topics above to be implemented in one or more of these countries.
- A minimum of 3 (three) people representing a legal entity/organization.
- The team is required to have male and female members, ensuring gender balance.
- Team members must be at least 18 years old and have legal identity as a citizen in ASEAN member states and/or Timor-Leste.
- Submit registration and administrative requirements according to the provisions through the online form.
- Have at least 1 (one) years in operation OR established before April 2023.
- Have good financial standing, proven with record of ongoing and completed projects in the last 1 year and a reference from previous client/partner.
Application
Proposals received after May 31, 2024 at 11.59 PM Jakarta Time (GMT+7) will not be considered by the system. Only applicants who have completed all fields in the application form and provided all requisite documents will undergo evaluation.
For more information, visit ABIC.
