Social innovation challenge for Tygerberg area

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Mongezi Mtati

The Greater Tygerberg Partnership (GTP) is looking to social innovators to help find solutions to challenges facing the region. The non-profit organisation, which facilitates collaboration between stakeholders to build social and economic prosperity, has announced a competition to identify and help launch social innovation projects in the Tygerberg region.

An initial submission is required by 13 April 2016, with the five finalists being announced the following week. Each of the finalists will be given an opportunity to refine his or her project with the assistance of global innovation consultancy, Idea Couture, before presenting the projects to the judging panel in May. The two projects chosen will each receive R32,000.

“Like many urban areas in South Africa, Tygerberg faces a number of challenges that require out-of-the-box thinking to deliver creative and workable solutions,” said GTP CEO, Chris O'Connor. “Our innovation challenge is a great way to identify and assist social innovation projects that will benefit and improve the region.”

Challenges facing the Tygerberg region include unemployment, homelessness, crime, drug abuse, urban grime, limited transport and accommodation.

The competition is open to anyone provided his or her solution benefits the greater Tygerberg region. Entry forms can be downloaded at www.gtp.org.za.