The Swiss Re Foundation Entrepreneurs for Resilience Award recognises entrepreneurial initiatives that take innovative approaches to building resilient societies and realising the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Whilst resilience is the core theme of the annual award programme, its specific focus changes from year to year with current trends and developments.
The 2018 award will focus on innovative solutions that offer affordable access to renewable energy for households in low-income communities. We are looking for business-minded approaches that tackle behavioural and/or other barriers to successful adoption of renewable energy in such communities and are able to cover households’ basic needs.
The following technology areas are in scope: improved cookstoves, solar lanterns, solar home systems, decentralised grids, productive uses, mini wind turbines and biogas generators. A more detailed overview of these areas and the challenges we would like to address can be downloaded here.
The award programme involves a financial grant from the Swiss Re Foundation and, depending on the nature, scope and needs of the enterprise, non-financial contributions from Swiss Re employees, such as coaching and technical advice.
Three finalists are invited to pitch their ventures face-to-face to an independent award jury consisting of senior Swiss Re experts, academic representatives and selected Swiss Re clients. The total prize money of CHF 800 000 is divided amongst the winner (which receives up to CHF 400 000) and the two runners-up.
The award programme also offers Swiss Re employees across the world a chance to select their favourite enterprise from the three finalists. The finalist with the most votes receives the “Employee Award” and a special prize. The same enterprise may win both the Employee Award and the Resilience Award in a given year.
For more information and to apply please click here.
Application closes 30th of September.