Capricorn Foundation joins forces with UNIDO, NGIN and CcHUB to launch a global water-energy nexus innovation challenge

Recently, the Capricorn Foundation, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the Network for Global Innovation (NGIN) and Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) Namibia, announced the launch of the global Just Transition to the Future (JTF) Water-Energy Nexus Open Innovation Challenge at the CcHUB Namibia office in Windhoek. This initiative aims to identify and develop innovative solutions that address the critical challenges surrounding water and energy in drought-prone regions in Namibia.

The JTF Namibia Innovation Challenge is also part of the global innovation challenges within the UNIDO’s Global Cleantech Innovation Programme (GCIP). These challenges, focusing primarily on advancing just energy transitions (JET), encourage joint action through collaboration between private sector partners and innovators and promote South-South and Triangular Cooperation (SSTIC). “The JTF Water-Energy Nexus Innovation Challenge highlights GCIP’s focus on advancing innovative solutions to accelerate Just Energy Transitions. By tackling the interconnected challenges of water and energy, this initiative fosters scalable and sustainable solutions that empower communities facing critical climate challenges,” Olga Rataj, Associate Industrial Development Officer, GCIP Programme Lead.

This collaboration within the JTF Namibia Innovation Challenge brings together the expertise of CcHUB Namibia, UNIDO, NGIN, and the Capricorn Foundation, creating an alliance that fosters innovation and community resilience. The Capricorn Foundation has committed to an investment of N$300,000 to support the challenge, which will fund the prize money, facilitate project development on the SKILD platform, and cover implementation costs.

Participants in the challenge will be asked to design integrated solutions that use renewable energy to power advanced water management technologies. These technologies can include, for example, water recycling, energy-efficient water distribution, and water-saving infrastructure. The objective is to help regions affected by drought achieve energy efficiency and water conservation simultaneously. The challenge will be implemented over a year and aims to generate scalable and replicable solutions that can be applied to drought-prone regions across Namibia and beyond.

“By supporting initiatives like this, the Capricorn Foundation reaffirms its commitment to driving sustainability and innovation that benefits local communities and the broader Namibian economy,” said Marlize Horn, the Executive Officer of Capricorn Foundation.

The JTF Water-Energy Nexus Innovation Challenge will explore integrated solutions that optimise water and energy use in a socially inclusive way that considers all three sustainability dimensions, including social, economic, and environmental. The aim is to create sustainable systems adapted for different areas like farming, industry, communities, and households, helping them thrive amid drought and climate change. The Challenge specifically targets the water-energy interconnection, which poses one of the most pressing concerns for local communities and industries in regions like Namibia prone to water scarcity.

The Challenge is open for entries until 17 January 2024, after which the judging process will begin.   Key dates for the challenge include:

•             Round 1 Entries / Application Open                                                       18 November 2024

•             Round 1 Entries / Applications Close                                                     17 January 2025

•             Round 1 Judging Period Closes                                                                6 February 2025

•             Participants for Round 2 (Final) Notified                                             7 February 2025

•             Solution Development Mentorship                                                      28 February 2025

•             Solution Finalization (Prototype Development)                                  26 March 2025

•             Demo Day                                                                                                  27 March 2025

•             Final judging completed                                                                         10 April 2025

•             Winners Notified                                                                                     11 April 2025

•             Winner’s Event                                                                                         16 April 2025                   

“This initiative marks a significant step in creating real-world solutions for some of the most challenging issues in water and energy sustainability,” said Fred Walti, CEO of NGIN. “We look forward to seeing the innovative ideas that emerge from this challenge and how they will benefit local communities and industries.”

As Namibia faces the growing threat of water scarcity and energy inefficiency, this challenge represents a key effort in promoting a sustainable future. The Capricorn Foundation and its partners are excited to engage innovators and communities in this groundbreaking initiative.

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