BBC World Challenge 2011 ceremony in Amsterdam
Thanks to their sustainable innovations, Mongolia's Snow Leopard Enterprises has won the top prize at the BBC World Challenge 2011, presented at a ceremony in Amsterdam. The aim of the winning project is to generate income for Mongolian people living in poverty and to increase their standard of living, while also protecting their local ecosystems.
BBC World Challenge
The World Challenge is a global competition designed to reward international projects or small businesses that demonstrate groundbreaking enterprise and innovation at a grassroots level. This seventh edition of the World Challenge was organised by BBC World News and Newsweek, in association with Shell. More than 70,000 votes were cast for the final 12 projects featured in its TV showcases. Visit the World Challenge website for more information on the award and the other projects highlighted in 2011.
Finale in Amsterdam
The BBC World Challenge 2011 awards ceremony was filmed in Amsterdam, with newsreader Zeinab Badawi announcing the winners and presenting the prizes. This year’s winner was the team from Mongolian Snow Leopard Enterprises, collecting a 20,000 US dollar grant from Shell to help develop their initiative further. The ceremony was broadcast by BBC World News on Saturday, 3 December.
Two other projects each received a grant of 10,000 US dollars from Shell: Recycla, a Chilean initiative aimed at safely disposing of ‘e-waste’ from broken computers and other outmoded electronic gadgets; and Hand in Hand, an Indian project that collects food waste from households, hotels and restaurants, converting it into biogas that is then used to generate electricity in a 10kW power station.
Stimulating innovation
The ceremony was hosted at Felix Meritis, the European centre for art, culture and science, in the centre of Amsterdam. Alderperson Carolien Gehrels attended the event and was invited to give a short speech in which she highlighted the sustainable ambitions of Amsterdam.
Amsterdam’s sustainability plans for the coming years have been published in the project plan: Amsterdam Definitely Sustainable 2011 - 2014. The city is focused on climate and energy, mobility and air quality, materials and consumers and a sustainable innovative economy. Gehrels also praised Shell’s initiatives to stimulate innovation at a grassroots level by supporting this World Challenge and other activities. Shell is also is an active partner in the Economic Development Board, alongside fellow companies and universities.
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