EarthTech Challenge

Do you have an idea or solution addressing the world’s biggest environmental and social issues?

The EarthTech Challenge invites purpose-driven youth aged between 13-29 with a passion for solving our most pressing environmental and social issues, through the use of science, technology, communication and design.

The competition aims to achieve and create exponential impact for the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), also known as the Global Goals. The SDG’s are a historic and universal call to action to end poverty, solve the climate crisis, protect biodiversity and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030.

Form your teams, choose your division (13-17 years and 18-29 years), begin formulating your ideas and prototypes, and prepare for your “summer of impact” with a world-class curriculum and prizes including an all-expenses-paid trip to the EarthTech Summit on Makepeace Island.

Finalists receive the opportunity to participate in the EarthTech Summit held on Makepeace Island, Richard Branson’s Australian home in February 2020. Here they’ll receive further support, mentoring, seminars, networking, direct investment opportunities to fund and/or commercialise their idea/s, as well as the chance to be crowned the overall winner of the EarthTech Challenge.

The inaugural EarthTech Challenge is completely free to enter!

The Challenge Categories

Each category covers one or more of the Global Goals. Judging criteria will include the impact a submission makes on the Global Goals. Teams are welcome to describe the impact their idea or solution will have on the Global Goals.

POVERTY & INEQUALITY
Over a billion people still live in conditions of extreme poverty, with many situated in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. Poverty ensures that people can’t access basic services like healthcare or primary education, and makes day-to-day life a huge struggle.

This category includes the following Global Goals: #1. No Poverty; #4. Quality Education; #5. Gender Equality; #8. Decent Work and Economic Growth, #10. Reduced Inequalities; #16. Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions;

FOOD, WATER & HEALTH
Hunger is the leading cause of death worldwide, while too many people globally still do not have reliable access to clean water, sanitation or basic health services.

This category includes the following Global Goals: #2. Zero Hunger; #3. Good Health and Wellbeing; #6. Clean Water and Sanitation

CLIMATE & ENERGY
As the world’s largest nations grow and industrialise, solutions are needed to ensure that the world’s energy is clean, reliable and doesn’t leave anyone behind. Our reliance on fossil fuels is unsustainable and harmful, while the world needs to keep global warming below 2 degrees Celsius to avoid the worst effects of climate change.

This category includes the following Global Goals: #7. Affordable and Clean Energy; #13. Climate Action

SUSTAINABLE FUTURES
Our world’s population is increasing, and to accommodate everyone, we need to build sustainable, smart and modern cities and communities. We need to consume resources sustainably, reducing the impact on our natural resources while promoting sustainable industrialisation.

This category includes the following Global Goals: #9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; #11. Sustainable Cities and Communities; #12. Responsible Consumption and Production

ENVIRONMENT AND BIODIVERSITY
The world’s oceans drive the global systems which make life on earth possible. Forests cover 30 per cent of the Earth’s land, while plant life provides 80 per cent of our diets. Caring for life below water and life on land is crucial for ensuring a sustainable land, combating climate change and improving living standards for all.

This category includes the following Global Goals: #14. Life Below Water; #15. Life On Land

The Prize

The winners of each category receive an all-expenses-paid trip to the EarthTech Summit at Makepeace Island in Noosa, Richard Branson’s home in Australia (and other cash and product prizes). While on the island, the winning teams will work with experts and investors to take their solution from Makepeace Island to the world, who represent millions of dollars of investable investment.