NITI Aayog Launches ICDK Water Innovation Challenge 4.0 & SDG Entrepreneurs Handbook to Foster Innovation

Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) of NITI Aayog has launched two significant initiatives to boost innovation and sustainability in India: the 'AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0' and the fifth edition of the 'Innovations for You' handbook, which highlights the efforts of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) entrepreneurs across the country.

In partnership with the Innovation Centre Denmark (ICDK) at the Royal Danish Embassy in India, AIM has launched the fourth edition of the open innovation water challenge. This initiative is a pivotal element of the Indo-Danish bilateral green strategic partnership, designed to tackle critical water-related issues through innovative solutions. The selected teams from India will join the global Next Generation Digital Action program, collaborating with young talents from leading universities and innovation hubs across nine countries, including Denmark, Ghana, Kenya, Korea, Tanzania, South Africa, Colombia, and Mexico.

Participants from these teams will go on a hybrid innovation journey featuring group work, boot camp sessions, keynotes, and personalized mentoring. The program highlights sustainability, digital solutions, inclusion, and universal design principles, fostering active collaboration and knowledge sharing. Additionally, participants will have the chance to present their innovations at the Digital Tech Summit in Copenhagen on October 30-31, 2024, funded by the Government of Denmark.

The challenge is divided into two tracks: one for students and another for young entrepreneurs under the age of 35. Early-stage startups, researchers, and young innovators dedicated to environmental change are encouraged to apply. The student track focuses on Digital Action for Societal Impact, addressing sustainability challenges with a digitization emphasis. The Young Entrepreneurs track offers Indian tech startups in their early stages a platform to accelerate their ideas and form global partnerships.

Dr. Chintan Vaishnav, Mission Director of AIM, expressed his enthusiasm during the launch, stating, "We are thrilled to announce the launch of AIM – ICDK Water Challenge 4.0 and the fifth edition of Innovations for You – SDG Entrepreneurs of India. These initiatives reflect our unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability, steering India towards a brighter, more resilient future. Collaborating with partners like ICDK and the Royal Danish Embassy in India, we aim to tackle pressing challenges and empower young innovators to drive positive change in both countries. We encourage all passionate students and startups to seize this opportunity."

Minister Counsellor Soren Norrelund Kannik-Marquardsen, Head of Trade Council in New Delhi and Regional Coordinator for South Asia at the Royal Danish Embassy, remarked, "The Water Challenge encompasses the 5 S’s in the Green Strategic Partnership between India and Denmark – Skills, Scale, Scope, Sustainability, and Speed. This challenge aims to blend the skills of Danish and Indian entrepreneurs to solve global challenges that impact not only India and Denmark but the entire world. The ongoing success of our partnership, now in its fourth year, highlights the dedication of young innovators in addressing critical global issues and promoting sustainability. We are excited to launch the website today and strongly encourage young innovators to participate in solving some of the world's most significant problems. We anticipate a successful fourth edition of this challenge and look forward to continuing this collaboration with all our partners."

Applications open on June 10, 2024, and close on June 20, 2024. Interested applicants can apply at AIM ICDK Water Innovation Challenge.

In addition to the water challenge, AIM has also introduced the fifth edition of the 'Innovations For You' handbook, a coffee table book series that showcases the efforts of SDG entrepreneurs in India. This edition features 60 entrepreneurs from various regions, each contributing to societal improvement through sustainable innovations, focusing on recyclable and renewable materials, green energy, inclusive education, and advocacy for underrepresented communities and local artisans. The book is accessible at Innovations For You – SDG Coffee Table Book.