This Is Cool Challenge: A Call for Proposals

What is it?

The analysis for 2022 shows that across 54 high-impact countries identified in previous Chilling Prospects reports, 1.2 billion people among the rural and urban poor are at high risk due to a lack of access to cooling. A further 2.47 billion lower-middle-income people pose a different kind of risk: they will soon be able to purchase the most affordable air conditioner or refrigerator, but price sensitivity and limited purchasing options mean they favor devices that are likely to be inefficient, threatening energy systems and resulting in increased GHG emissions. Delivering on cooling needs with sustainable, affordable solutions will be key to achieving many Sustainable Development Goals.

What is your proposed technology or policy initiative to accelerate access to affordable and sustainable cooling?

What are we looking for?

We are looking for youth-led sustainable cooling solutions that can help deliver on one or more of the three cooling needs:

• Human comfort and safety: passive or active personal, space, or urban cooling.
• Food, nutrition, and agriculture: agricultural cold chain.
• Health services: vaccine and medical cold chain.

Initiatives may be in the ideation or implementation stage and should demonstrate potential for impact in terms of improving affordability and increasing access to sustainable cooling through one or more of the following:

1. Passive and nature-based cooling solutions.
2. Renewable-based cooling solutions.
3. Energy-efficient cooling solutions.

How can you participate?

• Entries may be submitted by individuals or groups of up to 5 individuals, all under 35 years of age.
• Preliminary entries submitted by June 30, 2022, will receive additional guidance and support prior to the final submission.
• All final entries must be submitted by August 30, 2022, through the Entry Submission Form in English or French.
• Three teams will be shortlisted to present live at COP 27 (TBD), where the winner will be announced.
• Three teams will receive a cash prize and further support from the competition sponsors.

How do we assess your ideas?

All the submissions will be assessed based on the following criteria. More details to follow.

• Goal Alignment.
• Functionality and Relevance.
• Outcome and Impact.
• Scalability and Implementation.

What do you win?

• Prize: USD 3,000, USD 2,000, USD 1,000 from the Sustainable Cooling for All to support the implementation of the idea.
• Visibility: Spotlight feature from SEforALL (and partners) as well as exhibition opportunities (e.g., SEforALL Forum).
• Incubation support: Coming soon.