Innovation Challenge

Why participate?

• To help solve a pressing social, economic and environmental issuein your local community;
• To access co-fundingfor further project development and actual implementation;
• To receive professional expert feedback– for each of the submitted and eligible ideas and proposed solutions;
• To gain new knowledge and skillsfor the longer-term benefit of your idea and your organization;
• To receive free expert couching and mentoring– for ideas and concepts selected for further development;
• To network and find partnersfor your ideas who share common vision;
• To increase the visibility of your ideasdomestically and internationally.

• New technologies or new application of existing technological solutions (first-of-its kind in Serbia);
• New/improved business models or processes;
• Partnership approach:: Involvement of different sector stakeholders in defining/proposing solutions;
• Involving citizens in decision making processes, planning and information management (e.g. ease access to information on community energy management);
• Finding sustainable CSUD solutions that lead to long-lasting change;
• Solving social issues (gender equality, marginalized groups, unemployment etc).

Based on financial plan and necessary funds for projects implementation, proposals will be divided into 3 categories:

1. Small projects (up to 100.000 USD) – financial resources for implementation of such projects can also be provided through alternative sources of funding (for example crowdfunding).
2. Medium projects (up to 1 mil USD),
3. Large projects (investment value exceeds 1 mil USD)

PHASE 1:IDEATION PHASE

Applicants were requested to fulfil the application online and submit them by the deadline. It was sole responsibility of the applicant to update and correct information provided through the application portal on the CSUD webpage. Reviewers have reviewed the application forms to ensure they have been completed correctly and fulfil the eligibility criteria, before submitting them to and independent evaluation panel of judges. Eligible applicants were: local self-government; public utility company; commercial organization /businesses (Ltd, entrepreneurs); civil society organizations; research institutions registered in Serbia, according to national legislation. Call for individuals was open on 15 December, 2017. Individuals had to possess Serbian citizenship.

EVALUATION OF PROJECT IDEAS  1 February, 2018 until 28 February, 2018

The CSUD project provided a team of qualified Judges (covering all aspects of the proposed ideas – technical and managerial) to review and evaluate the proposed ideas. Based on the evaluation criteria, the Panel of Judges have selected best ideas for their further development. Up to 20 best project ideas were selected for the second phase (conceptualization), and became entitled to receive innovation awards (up to USD 10,000 per award). Up to 5 best project ideas submitted by individuals also were awarded with up to 5,000 USD. Innovation awards should have been used for purchasing/developing the hardware solutions, paying for the consultancy services and/or other costs indicated in their proposal.

PHASE 2: CONCEPTUALISATION

The grant co-financing of the Investment Grant Support Mechanism was delivered in tranches with following minimum requirement: 40% of the total grant per project granted after signing the co-financing contract, while 60% of the total grant per project granted upon completion of the project. The investment related project was considered completed once the investment itself is ready to operate (e.g. use permit is issued or business plan becomes operational);

Note: Depending on the most appropriate approach to the winner project, the resources were provided in the form of Grants (PBPs) or Innovation Awards or Exceptional Procurement. Certain solutions also could have been already prototyped throughout the ideation and conceptualization phase.

PHASE 3: IMPLEMENTATION

In the implementation phase the Finalists had to put their ideas into action, their progress was monitored and this will lead to the eventual selection of the final award winners. The focus of this phase is on achieving successful implementation and evidence of outcomes. A kick-off session was organized to bring all finalists together and to make sure they understand expectations in the implementation phase.

Monitoring and reporting

Monitoring and reporting phase takes minimum of 12 months in total. This time limit was also taken into account when evaluating and selecting the finalists. Field visits have been organized, with the involvement of the Project team and Judges.

PHASE 4: FINAL AWARDS

AWARDS IN THE INNOVATION CHALLENGE

Based on the evaluation criteria, 20 best ideas have been selected for further development and are entitled to receive financial award (up to USD 10,000 per award). Up to 5 best project ideas applied by individuals have received up to 5,000 USD per award. Innovation award was supposed to be used for the procurement/development of a hardware solution, paying for the consultancy services, project documentation development and/or other costs indicated in their proposal

All finalists of the Ideation phase had an opportunity to continue their journey toward the development of Project concept through the Conceptualization phase (second phase). Successful applicants also had an opportunity to benefit from technical assistance, mentorship and trainings. Project concepts selected in additional call for advance project concepts were not eligible for the innovation awards but did get the opportunity to join best project applicants from Ideation phase and benefit from technical support of the CSUD project Incubator.

For the projects selected as finalists and considered to be ready for actual implementation (upon completion of the conceptualization phase), project secured co-financing of the implementation costs through Investment Grant Support Mechanism (PBPs).

Best implemented projects and teams will receive a recognition awards at the end of the Innovation Challenge.

• Why we started this challenge?

  • Climate change is already changing the environment, the economy and impacting our way of living;
  • There is a notable increase in occurrence of extreme weather conditions, losses and damages caused to crops, houses, property and lives;
  • Serbia needs to step up, meet its international climate-related obligations, and, more importantly, improve our environment, for the sake of present and future generations
  • There is a large demand for more energy, as well as an increased need for its efficient use and saving;
  • The efficiency of majority of public services in Serbia is typically low, because the systems are old, poorly maintained, outdated and often resulting in significant energy losses;
  • Many public service-related areas involving the use of a large number of vehicles and machinery – have untapped potential for reducing GHG emissions, while simultaneously improving the everyday life of citizens.

What is Climate Smart City/Municipality?

In a smart city/municipality new and innovative technologies and approaches are used to improve the efficiency, safety, quality and environmental sustainability of urban living and public services. Smart cities also mean publicly accessible data, interactive, responsive and transparent local administration. In smart cities there is a broad community engagement and business environment stimulating solutions that reduce social and cultural inequality, injustice and isolation.

From the climate change perspective, smart cities encompass efficient and environmental-friendly urban land use and transport planning, sustainable waste management, upgraded water supply and waste disposal, energy-efficient public lighting, heating and cooling of buildings, increased use of renewable energy and resource sharing, as well as climate change preparedness.