I think we can all agree that plastic waste is a global issue with an increasing threat to our environment.There are also growing efforts around the world to reduce plastic waste usage at a local, regional, national and global scale. While all these efforts are crucial to reversing the tide on plastic pollution – how can we ensure that our efforts translate to long-term action?
There is a unique opportunity to explore new and creative ways of tackling plastic waste while also ensuring efforts translate into long-term change. Today the Afri-Plastics Challenge is launching its third and final strand, Promoting Change. The challenge is seeking the creation of campaigns, schemes, tools and other creative interventions that will change both the behaviour of individuals and communities around plastic waste in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as contribute to the empowerment of women and girls.
Successful applicants will use innovative engagement strategies such as nudges, gamification, incentives, and storytelling, as well as insights on the roles that women and girls play across the value chain. By the end of the challenge, the best solutions will have generated evidence of change in individual and communities’ behaviour around one or more of the following:
- Reducing littering
- Segregation of plastic waste
- Choosing reusable options
- Refusing single-use plastic
The relationship between plastic waste usage and human-behaviour is complex, both at individual and at collective levels. There is a crucial need for innovative solutions that go beyond information and awareness. There is a need for prompt meaningful action that results in long-term change, and this starts with shifting our behaviour with plastic waste towards environmentally positive and sustainable actions.
What can you win?
In April 2022, 30 Semi-Finalists will be selected by the Judging Panel and each receive a £5,000 grant.
In June of 2022, of the Semi-Finalists, 15 teams will be selected to move forward to the finalist stage and will each receive a grant of £50,000 to support in the development and implementation of their solutions. In addition, the Finalists will participate in a 7 month in-depth development strategy and implementation phase, during which they will be provided with a range of capacity building support.
In March of 2023, three winners from Strand 3 will be selected to receive £250,000 each.
For more information on the criteria and application process for Strand 3, innovators should visit this page. The deadline for applications to the third strand of the Challenge will close on Wednesday, 16 February 2021 at 1200 GMT.