The Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge was launched today, inviting submissions of innovative ideas to improve access to safe and sustainable water supply for communities where access is presently at risk. The winning project will receive a prize of $50,000, with a second place prize of $25,000.
Relevant Reed Elsevier products such as Water Research, the journal of the International Water Association, will be made available to applicants to help prepare their competition entry. The winning entries will be highlighted in Water Research.
According to the World Health Organisation, lack of water to meet daily needs is a reality for one in three people around the world. Poor access to safe water contributes to health crises in many developing countries, and increasingly leads to violent conflict.
The Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge will contribute to the Water for Life Decade, established by the UN General Assembly, running between 2005 and 2015, in support of the Millennium Development Goal to reduce by half the number of people without access to safe drinking water and to stop unsustainable exploitation of water resources.
Entries should focus on increasing access to safe and sustainable water supply where it is presently at risk and demonstrate that the project:
- Is replicable, scalable and sustainable, setting a high benchmark for innovation
- Emphasises solutions with practical applicability
- Addresses non-discrimination/equality of access from a scientific, legal or other basis
- Involves and impacts a range of stakeholders
Engages local communities
Youngsuk “Y.S.” Chi, CEO of Elsevier Science and Technology and a member of the Reed Elsevier Management Committee, said, “The Environmental Challenge will draw attention to a critical problem facing our world – access to water. By leveraging our extensive networks and environmental publishing expertise, Reed Elsevier is uniquely placed to facilitate the exchange and dissemination of information about improving access to safe and sustainable water supply – and through the Reed Elsevier Environmental Challenge, we hope to highlight projects that really can make a difference”.
To learn more about The Environmental Challenge, please visit the challenge website.
