An international development organization that works in nearly 40 countries around the world, Pact works to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We strive for a world where everyone owns their future. Throughout the course of history, the world has experienced a wide array of disasters that have affected millions around the world. However, the rate at which the COVID-19 pandemic has the ability to affect people who are already challenged by poverty and marginalization around the world is devastating. Many citizens of less developed countries do not have access to or the ability to implement some basic prevention techniques such as self isolation and hand-washing. Additionally, people who live on a small daily income often lack access to real-time information necessary to address the pandemic nor do they have the financial ability to weather the economic impacts of COVID-19.
Click here to read more about Pact's integrated approach.
Pact spent a month unpacking the most profound COVID-related challenges for the communities where we work. The three resulting challenge statements reflect the top challenges as voted on by nearly 200 Pact staff. This challenge runs until August 6, 2020, and consists of three tracks that participants can choose from. There will be four solutions chosen at the end of the period: One from each track selected by Pact evaluators and one overall selected by the public for a "People's Choice" winner. To express our gratitude to participants, Pact will showcase the winners in an interview with our President and CEO. The interview will be live for Pact’s global staff and will also be available via Facebook Live, podcast and as a blog on our website. Additionally, winners will receive recognition on our social media channels and in our quarterly external newsletter.
Challenge timeline here.
Start a post in our Forum to ask a question, find a team, or connect with other innovators.
All submissions will be due on 8/6/20 and winners will be announced on 9/4/20!
1. Relevance - Idea/innovation can be adopted or integrated into current initiatives or ops
2. Need & Impact - Effectively solves an important problem related to COVID-19
3. Reach - Potential of reaching a large audience and/or being replicated across Country Offices
4. Level of Innovation - Potential for improving existing services and/or completely new service
5. Business Value - Potential of boosting new business ($$) and/or our program quality profile
We are looking for a short pitch deck (not more than 4 slides) on early-stage concepts that might be tailored to our programming. Those 4 slides should include 1) The problem statement 2) The User 3) The solution or prototype and 4) Initial, high level next steps. We welcome visuals and prototypes within the pitch deck and welcome a suggested region for implementation. Note: Pact works in Africa, Asia and Colombia.
Additionally, all submissions must be specific to only one of the challenges in order to qualify. Please ensure your submission clearly states which track you are responding to:
Challenge 1: Digital Connectedness
Challenge 2: Community Preparedness
We believe in the power of inclusion and collaboration, and that good ideas can and should come from anyone, anywhere. We encourage all participants to join us in addressing these pressing challenges that communities around the world are currently facing.
