This is a contest aimed at stimulating innovation and creativity under the theme 'Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) for Rural Development'.
Khovete Panguene, an official of the World Bank, told reporters that this contest, the first of its kind in Mozambique, aims to encourage the use of ICTs for rural development, and the winners will be awarded between 10,000 and 20,000 US dollars to implement their projects.
To enter the contest, the participants must present, by 27 August, a description of their idea. The proposals may be presented in partnership between institutions, and may be fully original or based on ideas that are already in use somewhere else.
The contest will also be open to young people, aged between 13 and 18, and children of 6 to 12 years, but in these categories the awards will not be in monetary terms. To enter the contest, children will be asked to submit drawings or artistic objects that reflect the use of technologies.
Young people are asked to write about the improvements that technologies can bring to people's lives, their contribution to the sustainable use of natural resources and their impact on culture.
Participation is also open to community organizations, NGOs registered in the country, academic institutions (universities, technical and secondary schools) and research institutions. Private companies, municipalities and district governments and other registered organizations may also enter the contest.
In terms of evaluation, the criteria will take into account the aspects of innovation, effectiveness in the use of resources, sustainability, the potential impact on the community, and the capacity of reproduction and expansion of the projects. Initiatives of this kind are said to have been used with success and high benefits in the agricultural sector in Kenya.
The event is being organized by the World Bank, in partnership with the Mozambican Science and Technology and Transport Ministries. Other partners in the initiative include the country's largest commercial bank, the Millennium-BIM, and the two mobile phone companies Mcel and Vodacom.
SOURCE: AIM
