BEIRUT & NEW YORK - Jan. 11, 2021 - The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and IDEANCO, one of the world's leading crowdsourcing platforms, collaborate on the climate change initiative — IDEANCO CLIMATHON, taking place in nine cities across the globe.
The idea innovator company Ideanco signed a memorandum of understanding with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to strengthen work on climate change. The IDEANCO CLIMATHON will engage local and international innovators to find impactful global solutions and develop successful business models for new climate change startups.
The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and worsening global economic climate were felt by both developed and developing countries. IDEANCO CLIMATHON, supported by the European Union CLIMATE Knowledge and Innovation Community (KIC), provides much-needed assistance to innovators in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals.
Talking about the collaboration, Maher Ezzeddine, the CEO of Ideanco, said: "We are very excited about this unique collaboration with UNDP. Building resiliency in this particular era of uncertainties is a must. This collaboration plays a part in broader efforts to take urgent action combating climate change and its impacts, accelerate progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and bring hope for a brighter future. In this context, IDEANCO CLIMATHON 2021 is the perfect fit for innovators to find solutions for climate change challenges and kick-start their ideas to become startups in the field of climate change. Changing the world of tomorrow can start today with one idea, and Ideanco is committed to its core purpose of creating opportunities for a better world."
Given the urgency of these issues, Ideanco Lab (hybrid Lab) will be working closely with the innovators to tackle the world's climate challenges. Innovators' solutions will be developed further at the Ideanco Lab to become either products or services, the first step toward forming their own startups and creating jobs in the effort to stop climate change.
"UNDP is committed to support partnerships that promote social innovation and a more sustainable economy for people and planet," said Mrs. Celine Moyroud, UNDP Lebanon Resident Representative. "The IDEANCO CLIMATHON is an opportunity to translate sustainable climate action solutions into tangible projects, while at the same time addressing national policy changes and supporting climate-positive businesses and startups."
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) supports inclusive and environmentally sustainable development in over 100 countries with integrated expertise and partnerships across countries and communities. It advocates for positive change and connects countries to knowledge and resources that help ordinary people build better lives.
