GREEN INNOVATION COMPETITION IN MALI At ActionAid

TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR A GREEN INNOVATION COMPETITION

Country: Mali

****Type of innovation project: Existing prototype/model or project under development

1. Introduction

ActionAid is a global federation working for a world free from poverty and injustice. We want a world that is just, equitable and sustainable, in which everyone enjoys the right to a life of dignity, free from poverty and oppression. We therefore work to achieve social justice and gender equality, and to eradicate poverty. Our strategy is to create international momentum for social, economic and environmental justice, driven by people living in poverty and exclusion, including women and young people. In concrete terms, this means working closely with poor and excluded populations, civil society organisations, social movements and supporters. Together, we implement local programmes, provide emergency aid and campaign for causes such as women’s and youth rights, and climate justice. ActionAid International Mali (AAIM) is currently running a project focusing on mobilising young people for the promotion of human rights, access to justice, social cohesion and climate justice.

ActionAid in Mali therefore adheres to the following objectives within the framework of the SPAII program:

Strategic Objective 2: Resilient Livelihoods and Just Transition

• sustainable means of production
• communities, civil society and authorities acting in the face of climate emergencies
• climate-friendly green innovations
• green economy
• climate justice

Strategic Objective 3: Protection in fragile situations

• Communities, civil society and authorities responding to humanitarian emergencies
• humanitarian actions
• responsibility to affected populations
• strengthening community resilience
• Women and youth activism in humanitarian action
• peacebuilding

This document sets out the Terms of Reference (ToR) for an innovation competition aimed at promoting creative solutions in three key areas: renewable energy for domestic energy needs and industrial production, as well as innovative agroecological solutions adapted to Sahelian countries. The competition seeks to stimulate innovation, encourage collaboration and address pressing challenges faced by communities in these sectors.

1. Goals

• Encourage innovative solutions that address concrete problems in targeted categories.
• Promote sustainable practices in renewable energy and agriculture.

1. Innovations submitted to this competition must meet the following key criteria:
2. Recycling and Circular Economy
   • The innovation must incorporate direct or indirect recycling. This may include the reuse of waste or by-products generated during the production or use of the innovation itself, or the use of materials derived from the recycling of waste or residues from external sources.
3. Environmental and social impact
   • Innovation must not cause any harmful effects to people, communities or the environment. It must contribute to sustainability and minimise negative externalities.
4. Usability and accessibility
   • Innovation should be designed with usability in mind, ensuring that it is accessible and functional for a wide range of users, including women, girls, youth and people with disabilities.
5. Affordability and scalability
   • The expected sales costs of the innovation, once scaled, must be affordable and appropriate to the purchasing power of the general public, making the innovation accessible to a wide range of users.
6. Inclusion, Gender Sensitivity and Conflict Sensitivity
   • Innovation must integrate inclusion factors, with a strong focus on gender equality and conflict sensitivity, ensuring that it equitably benefits all members of the community.
7. Educational and technological accessibility
   • Innovation must take into account various accessibility factors, such as:
     • The education level of potential users.
     • Access to new technologies, particularly for marginalized or rural communities.
     • The availability of basic infrastructure necessary for the proper functioning of innovation.

By meeting these criteria, innovations will demonstrate their potential to induce positive social, environmental and economic change within diverse communities.

1. Competition Categories

3.1 Renewable Energy for Domestic Energy Needs

Objective: To develop innovative and sustainable solutions to provide affordable, reliable and clean energy to homes.
Criteria:

• Technological feasibility and innovation
• Scalability and potential impact on energy access
• Sustainability and environmental considerations
• Profitability for end users

3.2 Innovative Agroecological Solutions for Sahelian Countries

Objective: To create agroecological solutions that improve food security, resilience and sustainable agricultural practices in Sahelian regions.
Criteria:

• Adaptability to local conditions and climates
• Innovation in agricultural practices and technologies
• Contribution to biodiversity and ecosystem health
• Economic viability for local farmers

1. Eligibility

• Open to young people, individuals, teams, startups, as well as civil society, public and private organizations.
• Participants can register in one or more categories.
• Solutions must be innovative and applicable in the context of the target areas.
  Public-private partnerships are strongly encouraged and supported.