This guide has been created to help you with the submission process for the #ThisIsCool Challenge. This guide's purpose is to clarify each of the questions you must answer during the application process. Providing comprehensive, accurate and insightful responses to these questions will help us better understand your innovative solution and improve your chances of being selected for the prize.
Below is a detailed breakdown of each question and some guidance on approaching your responses.
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Please enter the lead applicant’s full name.
This question is straightforward but remember to check the spelling and make sure the name matches the one on your ID or passport.
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Please enter the lead applicant's email.
Enter a valid email that you use regularly. This is how we will contact you, so ensure that it is correct.
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Which country are you from?
Write the name of the country where you are a citizen or permanent resident.
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Is this an individual or a group submission?
Specify whether you are applying as an individual or as a team.
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Please enter the full names and email addresses of your group members.
If you're applying as a team, list each member's full name, email address and titles/roles.
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Please select the challenge for which you wish to enter your submission.
Choose the challenge category that aligns best with your project. Your project will compete with those in the same category.
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Describe the scope of your solution, including any details around geography, target market/community, etc.
Explain your project's who, what and where. This is where you describe what solution you are proposing, who are the target users, and what are the target market and geographic location(s). Be as detailed as possible.
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What is your personal motivation or inspiration for developing this solution and why do you believe that the solution proposed by you is innovative?
Explain your projects’ why and how. Describe the reasons that prompted you to start this project, and how your solution differs from other solutions available in your target market – or even globally! Be as detailed as possible.
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What are the main challenges you are running into while designing your project and how would the This Is Cool prize help to address them?
Focus on the short term: what are your projects’ next objectives, what challenges or barriers you see in achieving them, and how would you use the This Is Cool Challenge’s resources to overcome some of them. Be as detailed as possible.
10. Describe your long-term plan for the solution and outline your vision for future growth?
Discuss the future of your project. Where do you see it in five, ten, or twenty years? How does it grow and evolve? How does it continue to make an impact?
11-15. Impact questions.
Tell us about the impact of your projects. Each response helps you demonstrate the potential of your innovative solution and its alignment with the This Is Cool Challenge's goals and objectives. Remember to use clear, concise language when answering these questions. Provide evidence and quantifiable data where possible, and specific, measurable, relevant and time-bound information.
Examples of specific, measurable, relevant and time-bound indicators (these are indicative, you should formulate indicators that are relevant to your projects):
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The project is expected to provide training in system operations and maintenance to 50 farmers every year in 2024-2025, targeting 70% women.
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As of 2023, the solution has directly provided 3,000 people in rural households, 30% of which are children, with solar powered refrigeration and has reduced medical and vaccine waste by 95% compared to business-as-usual.
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Each unit generates 5,000 kWh of solar-powered electricity every year, which corresponds to avoiding the emission of about 250kg of CO2 compared to traditional solutions.
16-17. Additional information
This is your opportunity to provide additional information of material that you think is important for your submission. Any images, flyers, technical descriptions, website links are strongly encouraged.
Good luck with your application! We look forward to receiving your innovative solutions.
Do you have any further questions? Have you submitted an application but would like to cancel or modify it? Please contact CoolingForAll@seforall.org using “This Is Cool Challenge” in the subject.