EXTENDED Challenge Deadline: January 5th, 2022 at 11:59 AM Eastern Time/ 10:29 PM India time/ 11:59 PM Western Indonesia Time

The workforces of India and Indonesia, much like the rest of the world, are increasingly susceptible to major changes driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution — changes that have been exacerbated by the economic disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic. By 2030, automation is expected to displace an estimated 23 million jobs in Indonesia, and nearly 70 percent of jobs in formal employment could be automated in India during the same period — including 12 million jobs held by women. However, if harnessed successfully, automation, artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, digital transformations, and other technology-driven innovations are expected to create more jobs over the next decade than are eliminated. These innovations have the potential to create jobs for at least 90 million workers and up to 46 million workers in India and Indonesia, respectively.

These technological transformations pose significant challenges and opportunities for employers and workers alike: manufacturers across industries must respond to rapidly evolving markets in order to remain competitive, while workers must be able to adapt and learn new skillsets in order to participate in the labor market and create prosperous livelihoods for themselves. The pandemic has accelerated the urgent need to bridge the skills gap by upskilling the existing workforce to meet industry demands and preparing the next generation of workers with the skills required to participate in the digitally-driven economy of the future.

The Caterpillar Foundation is partnering with MIT Solve on the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge to identify and support workforce development solutions that can lead to the digital upskilling and reskilling of the Indian and Indonesian populations. The Challenge is seeking innovative solutions that will:

• Equip existing workers in India and Indonesia with country-appropriate and culturally-relevant digital literacy skills and vocational training opportunities

• Connect the skills of the Indian and Indonesian workforces to the demands of employers

• Increase and leverage the participation of underserved communities in India and Indonesia — especially women, low-income, and remote groups — in the creation, development, and deployment of new technologies, jobs, and industries

Table of Contents

Who can apply to the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge?

How are we CrowdSolving the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge?

What type of solutions will be accepted to the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge?

How will my solution be evaluated?

What is the Challenge Timeline?

What will I receive if my solution is selected?

Who can apply to the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge?

This Challenge will be open to anyone from around the world who would like to contribute solutions that will meet the demands of the workforce of the future in India and Indonesia. Solutions must be:

• Currently deployed or have the potential to be deployed in India and/or Indonesia.
• At least at the prototype stage (at a minimum, solutions need to have a working, tested prototype).

If you have a relevant solution, we hope you’ll apply!

How are we CrowdSolving the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge?

1. Sourcing Solutions: Anyone who meets the criteria above can participate in this Challenge and submit a solution. Whether you’re working on a prototype or scaling your program or product, we’re looking for innovators and entrepreneurs with the most promising solutions who can have an impact in India and Indonesia.
2. Selecting Solutions: Once the submission deadline passes, judging begins. After an initial screening by Solve staff and community reviewers, Challenge judges will select the most promising solutions as Finalists. These Finalists will be invited to pitch their solutions at a pitch event, where judges will then select the winners. 

What type of solutions will be accepted to the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge?

Solution applications must be written in English. This Challenge considers solutions at least at the prototype stage of development.

• Prototype: A venture or organization building and testing its research, product, service, or business model.
• Pilot: A project, initiative, venture, or organization applying its research, product, service, or business model in at least one context or community.
• Growth: An initiative, venture, or organization with an established product, service, or business model rolled out in one or, ideally, several contexts or communities, which is poised for further growth.
• Scale: A sustainable project or enterprise working in several contexts, communities or countries that is looking to scale significantly, focusing on increased efficiency.

The most important thing is that your solution addresses the focus of the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge. Through open innovation, this Challenge is looking for a diverse portfolio of solutions across stages of development and teams. We believe that there is no one solution to the world’s most complex challenges—and encourage people of all backgrounds to submit their applications.

How will my solution be evaluated?

The judging panel for this Challenge will be comprised of leaders and experts from across industries. After an initial screening by Solve staff and community reviewers, the judges will score the screened solutions based on the following criteria. All criteria will be given equal weight:

• Alignment: The solution accurately addresses the Future of Work in India and Indonesia Challenge prompt.
• Potential for Impact: The planned solution implementation has the potential to directly impact lives in India and/or Indonesia.
• Feasibility: Solution implementation is feasible and realistic, and the team has a plan for financial sustainability.
• Innovative Approach: The solution includes a new or significantly improved approach to address the Challenge that’s not been done before.
• Human-Centered Design and Inclusion: The solution is designed with and for underserved communities; the solution team demonstrates proximity to the community and culture they are serving in India and/or Indonesia, and embodies and addresses diversity, equity, and inclusion through their solution.
• Scalability: The solution can be scaled to affect the lives of more people in India and/or Indonesia.
• Partnership Potential: The applicant clearly explains how the solution would benefit from the resources that the Caterpillar Foundation and MIT Solve is positioned to provide.

What is the Challenge Timeline?

• August 24, 2021: Challenge Opens
• December 10, 2021: Deadline for Applicants to Submit a Solution
• February 2022: Finalists Announced
• April 2022: Pitch Event for Finalists
• May 2022: Winners Announced

What will I receive if my solution is selected?

Finalists will be invited to a pitch event to present their solutions in front of distinguished judges. A total pool of $395,000 in prize funding is available for selected winners of the Challenge. In addition to funding, each Challenge winner will participate in a six-month tailored support program run by MIT Solve and the Caterpillar Foundation that will include:

A comprehensive needs assessment to determine what resources and support are most appropriate in order to accelerate your impact;

• Access to a network of resource partners, mentors, and coaches across industries and sectors;
• Learning and development modules aimed at refining your business model, theory of change, and plans for scaling;
• Participation in Solve’s annual flagship Solve at MIT event (held in May each year);
• A monitoring and evaluation track to support in building an impact measurement practice; and
• A peer-to-peer network to build a community of practice with dedicated spaces to convene throughout the duration of the support program