TOCI / INCDS Climate Awareness Competition: Idea Pitch

The Climate Awareness Competition is part of the outcomes of the Pulitzer ISF Africa 2024 Programme, implemented by The Olympus Consciousness Initiative (TOCI) in collaboration with the Institute of Nigeria-China Development Studies (INCDS), University of Lagos and with the support of the Pulitzer Center. This initiative aims to encourage innovative solutions to climate challenges and foster sustainable practices within the University of Lagos community. The competition emerged as a key outcome of the Climate Change Workshop held on December 12, 2024. The workshop highlighted the importance of fostering local solutions to climate challenges, and this competition serves as a platform for students, staff, and faculty to present their innovative ideas for driving sustainable action within the University of Lagos

In this category, participants are invited to propose creative and actionable ideas that address specific climate challenges within the University of Lagos. Below are the detailed terms and conditions for participation.

Eligibility

  1. The competition is open to students, staff, and faculty members of the University of Lagos.
  2. Participants can compete individually or as part of a team (maximum of three members per team).
  3. All ideas must be original and developed by the participants.

Competition Guidelines

  1. Theme: Submissions must focus on addressing climate-related issues within the University of Lagos community, proposing practical and scalable solutions.
  2. Format: Participants are required to submit:
    • A two-page (max) executive summary of their idea in PDF format (to also include the link to the video pitch).
    • A video pitch not exceeding 3 minutes, uploaded to a publicly available platform (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo etc.)
  3. Language: All submissions must be in English, with clear and concise communication.
  4. Deadline: Submissions must be completed on or before 15th January 2024, 11:59PM (WAT) and sent by email to climatechangestories@toci.ng with the subject [Idea Pitch – Participant / Team Name]. Late submissions will not be considered.

Evaluation Criteria

Submissions will be judged based on the following:

  1. Relevance to Theme: How well the idea addresses a climate challenge specific to the University of Lagos.
  2. Innovation: Creativity and originality of the proposed solution.
  3. Feasibility: Practicality and potential for implementation within the university.
  4. Impact: The ability of the idea to create significant positive change in the university’s climate actions.
  5. Presentation: Clarity and persuasiveness of the video pitch and executive summary.

Awards and Prizes

  1. The first-place winner will receive a cash prize of ₦50,000, a certificate of recognition, and mentorship support to further develop the idea.
  2. Winning ideas will be featured on the Climate Awareness Network and considered for collaboration with university stakeholders for implementation.

Submission Process

  1. Participants must register and submit their entries by email to climatechangestories@toci.ng with the subject [Idea Pitch – Participant / Team Name]. Late submissions will not be considered.
  2. Entries must include the team’s or individual’s name, department or faculty, and contact information.

General Terms and Conditions

  1. By submitting an entry, participants agree to grant TOCI and INCDS permission to showcase the pitch and its details for educational and non-commercial purposes, with proper credit given to the participants.
  2. All ideas must be original, and plagiarism will result in disqualification.
  3. The decisions of the judges are final and binding.
  4. The organizers reserve the right to make modifications to selected ideas in consultation with the participants, to enhance feasibility and implementation.
  5. Participation constitutes acceptance of these terms and conditions.
  6. For inquiries or further details, please email opeyemi.alaran@toci.ng

Take this opportunity to pitch your groundbreaking idea and become a catalyst for climate action at the University of Lagos!