The
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Commission on
Protected Areas (WCPA) Marine Young Professionals Task Force have partnered
with the Blue Solutions project, Mission Blue, #OceanOptimism and TerraMar on a
new initiative to highlight and promote the projects of young people working
for marine conservation around the world.
The
competition partners invite youth and young professionals actively working on
innovative and creative marine conservation initiatives from around the world
to take part in this competition.
Are
you a young blue solution provider?
Do you
have an innovative and creative approach or process that successfully address
marine conservation issues that you are implementing with your own organization
and you are not older than 35 years? Then become a young professional blue
solution provider by submitting this
form by 31st May.
Criteria
Emerging
blue solutions need to:
- Come from a young marine
conservationist not older than 35 years
- Be innovative and creative,
having solved a tricky challenge in a new, “out-of-the-box” manner
- Respond to challenges to
sustainable development and human wellbeing in the marine and coastal
realm and contribute to maintaining or improving the status/health of
biodiversity and ecosystems
- Be effective and have been
implemented with a demonstrated positive impact and,
- Have the potential for
replication or upscaling in other geographic, social or sectorial
contexts.
All
solutions submitted will be reviewed by a judging panel, consisting of experts
of all ages from a broad range of organizations and regions active in the
sustainable management and conservation of marine and coastal ecosystems. This
panel will review your solution regarding aspects of innovation, creativity,
scalability and impact, and select winners focusing on a balance between
age, gender and regional representation.
What
is an emerging blue solution?
Blue
solutions are specific, applied examples of successful processes or approaches
that address challenges related to the conservation, sustainable use and
restoration of marine and coastal biodiversity with a demonstrated impact.
What
are the benefits & prizes?
Winners’
solutions will be showcased through high-profile international marine platforms
including the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawai’i. Additionally, a
series of prizes and benefits are available.
High-profile
international exposure –
The contestants have the opportunity for their work to be showcased on and
promoted through high-profile international marine platforms, social media
channels and networks including the “Solutions Explorer” platform, IUCN WCPA
Marine, #OceanOptimism, Mission Blue, TerraMar and CoalitionWild.
Showcased
at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress – Winning entries will be showcased on a
poster at the 2016 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Hawai’i.
Networking – Submitting your solution
into the competition will link you up with a growing network of marine and
coastal practitioners and decision-makers who are part of the Blue Solutions
network.
Sharing – Bring in your experiences
and innovations as a young professional in the field of marine and coastal biodiversity
management and conservation, and allow others to learn from, and build on your
successes, thus accelerating action towards healthier oceans and coasts.
Self-learning – In the process of
documenting your solution, you are able to identify and highlight the
innovative aspects of your work.
Prizes – All contestant winners
will be presented with a series of prizes. More to be announced at a later
date!
How
to enter the challenge?
Complete
the application form available on IUCNs official MPA
Blog or follow the direct link to the application form here and
then keep your fingers crossed that your solution will be selected!