Move from ideas to action and become an agent of change
The Escuela de Sostanibilidad and the Fundación Universidad Europea present the 1st Annual Sustainability Innovation Challenge, connecting students and alums with leading companies to co-create innovative solutions.
Suppose you are part of Universidad Europea, Universidad del Rosario, Universidad Andres Bello, or Universidad Tecnica Particular de Loja. In that case, you can apply your knowledge in a real context, receive mentoring from experts, and develop your idea with the support of the Foundation.
Who is it aimed at?
This challenge is open to undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD students and alumni of the participating universities.
Team requirements:
- Teams of 2 to 10 members.
- They must include students or alumni from at least two different degrees within the same university, encouraging interdisciplinarity.
- The same student or alumni can participate in several teams and present multiple ideas in different challenges.
Participation in the challenge is compatible with academic activities. It is estimated between 2 to 4 hours per week between February and May 2025.
What are the challenges?
The collaborating companies, called Transformation Partners, have defined the following sustainability challenges:
Challenge 1:
Transparency in decarbonization communication (HEINEKEN)
See challenge
Challenge 2:
Creating an AI-based sustainability ranking (CHEP)
See challenge
Challenge 3:
Social mobilization for ecosystem regeneration (LG - Smart Green Movement)
See challenge
Challenge 4:
Innovation with Purpose: Transforming communities through our infrastructures (SACYR)
See challenge
How does it work?
The process consists of three phases:
1
Sign up for the challenge
- Sign up individually using the form.
- So that you know, you will receive a communication with the instructions for the next phase.
Could you consult the legal bases of the challenge?
2
Submission of proposals
- Could you form your team?
- You can select one of the challenges set by the Transformation Partners.
- You can submit your idea using the participation form you receive after registration. You can do that until 18 May 2025.
3
Evaluation and selection of winners
The Evaluation Panel, composed of experts from the universities and the Transformation Partners, will select one winning proposal for each challenge based on the following criteria:
- Innovation and creativity (25%)
- Technical and economic feasibility (25%)
- Sustainability impact (30%)
- Scalability and implementation potential (20%)
Grow your project! Here's what you'll get if you win
If your team wins the 1st Annual Sustainability Innovation Challenge, you will receive everything you need to take your project to the next level:
from the Fundación Universidad Europea to develop their idea's Minimum Viable Product (MVP).
with experts from the School of Sustainability and the Transformation Partners.
and sustainability events to boost the implementation of your solution.
Why take part in the challenge?
For students and alumni:
Experiential learning is when knowledge is applied to a real challenge.
Teamwork and development of transversal skills such as creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving.
Links with the professional sector, access to mentors, and networking with leading companies.
Certification and recognition, improving the CV, and expanding job opportunities.
Possibility of real implementation of the idea with financial and strategic support.
For faculty:
Enrichment of teaching through challenge-based methodologies.
Link with the business sector and the innovation ecosystem.
Access to events and knowledge networks with other sustainability experts.
Partner organizations
