UN is in the search of youth innovators in Latin America that are creating technology solutions for enhanced climate action. 

July 21, 2021 – The UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN), in partnership with SAFEEM and Seedstars, is calling all young innovators in Latin America that are creating climate technology solutions to join the Climate Innovation Labs, a three-day launchpad where the best projects will continue on to receive a 6-8 week Climate Innovation Academy Program to help build out their companies. For more information and to register for the launchpad, simply apply before August 6, 2021, here: https://seedsta.rs/3z1vNFU 

 

The Climate Innovation Labs is a fast-paced three-day online event that will bring together selected youth participants as well as climate technology experts within the selected sectors and technology fields in Latin America to explore innovative design thinking tools, flexing their entrepreneurial muscles and creating solutions for enhanced climate action.

Previously, the launchpad brought together 11 startups from Africa and Asia-Pacific that specialized in energy sustainability, electricity, food, agriculture, deforestation, environments, waste management, and more. Each startup had the chance to pitch at the Youth Climate Innovation Lab Demo Day where they had the chance to have 1:1 meetings with investors, partners, and experts of the industry. Following the success of the project, the Latin American edition aims to bring out the same level of talents and solutions from the region, helping the companies accelerate their growth.

 

“It is very important to support young people to engage in climate action, and this programme provides them with the tools and diverse partnerships to create solutions. This programme was a big success in other regions, and now we invite youth in the Latin American region to be challenged to think outside of the box and co-create ideas for climate mitigation and adaptation solutions aligned with countries Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)” shares Dr. Rose Mwebaza, CTCN Director.

 

The program is accepting individuals (to be grouped into teams later on) or groups with a minimum of three members. Each participant must fit the following criteria to be eligible for the program: 

  • Participants must be between the ages of 20 and 30 years old; 
  • Attended or completed higher education; 
  • Must be an aspiring/early-stage entrepreneur or a student interested in launching an idea on climate change and building entrepreneurial muscle; and,
  • Must be passionate about solving climate technology needs and challenges.

At the end of the Climate Innovation Labs, the selected participants will be provided follow-on support to implement and scale selected solutions through a 6-8 week Climate Innovation Academy Programme delivered by Seedstars. 

For more information about the Climate Innovation Labs and to submit your application, visit the page before the deadline on August 6, 2021 here: https://seedsta.rs/3z1vNFU 

 

ABOUT CLIMATE TECHNOLOGY CENTRE AND NETWORK (CTCN)

The UN Climate Technology Centre and Network (CTCN) is co-hosted by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and supported by more than 600 network members all over the world. The CTCN promotes the accelerated transfer of environmentally sound technologies for low carbon and climate-resilient development at the request of developing countries. It provides technology solutions, capacity building and advice on policy, legal and regulatory frameworks tailored to the needs of individual countries.

 

ABOUT SEEDSTARS 

Seedstars is a Swiss-based private company with a mission to impact people’s lives in emerging markets through technology and entrepreneurship. The groups’ activities cover over 90 emerging ecosystems through a variety of initiatives such as the Online Seedstars World Competition, acceleration programs, physical hubs called Seedspace, venture capital investments and company building activities. Seedstars The Documentary is a feature film featuring the company’s vision to give a voice to the game changers of the developing world.

„They tried to bury us, they didn’t know we were seeds.” – Mexican proverb 

CONTACT

If you would like more information, please contact Michaela Villaroman at michaela.villaroman@seedstars.com.