5 teams get urban innovation awards

The grand finale of 'Urban Innovation Challenge' organised by BRAC was held on Monday at BRAC Centre where five teams won the challenges in four categories.

'Nirvana and City Bird' won the prize in renewable energy category while 'Jotno Healthcare' in healthcare category, 'Onushongo' in low-cost housing and Drinkwell in water sanitation and hygiene category and Urbanist in WASH category.

With a view to engaging the young people to find innovative, low-cost and effective solutions for urban problems, BRAC organised the competition for the second time this year on 24 July themed 'Our cities, our solutions' where they received 300 ideas at the first stage.

A total of 13 ideas were selected to compete at the final stage. Although ideas were invited in five categories namely housing, healthcare, WASH, renewable energy and climate change, there were no submission for climate change category.

Additional secretary of the environment and climate ministry Atiqur Rahman was present as the chief guest at the grand final event.

Professor Emeritus Ainun Nishat of Centre for Climate Change and Environmental Research at Brac University observed that there is no alternative to finding innovations to ensure social progress.

The winner teams received grants of up to Tk 500,000 each. In addition, BRAC will assist them to work on their innovations and make it ready for practical implementation.