How can communities sustainably protect, manage, and restore their local ecosystems?

Challenge Overview

Functioning ecosystems underpin all of human society. They are crucial to pollination, wild food sources, disaster mitigation, and a stable climate with breathable air and an active water cycle, in addition to the intangible cultural value tied to land. Yet, humans have degraded over 75 percent of the Earth’s land area, and 35 percent of fish stocks are over harvested. With restoration and better management, ecosystems can thrive and provide greater benefits, including up to one third of the carbon mitigation necessary for a 2 degree global warming target. 

Many examples of successful ecosystem management exist at the project or community level globally, particularly those that draw on Indigenous knowledge and traditional practices. However, many of these approaches face challenges in sustaining and scaling their impact. Technology and innovation can help improve efficiency, replicate good models, and ensure  communities gain durable sources of funding, land rights, and data sovereignty. 

The MIT Solve community is looking for technology-based solutions that help communities restore, sustain, and benefit from resilient ecosystems. To that end, Solve seeks solutions that: 

• Preserve and restore carbon-rich ecosystems and biodiversity hotspots, whether terrestrial, coastal, or marine.

• Provide scalable and verifiable monitoring and data collection to track ecosystem conditions, such as biodiversity, carbon stocks, or productivity.

• Aggregate local projects to enable access to financial capital for ecosystem services such as natural hazard mitigation, water quality, and carbon storage.

• Create scalable economic opportunities for local communities, including fishing, timber, tourism, and regenerative agriculture, that are aligned with thriving and biodiverse ecosystems 

Prizes

Solver Funding 

All solutions selected for Solve’s five current Global Challenges will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve. Solver teams will be selected by a panel of cross-sector judges.

The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion

The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion is open to solutions that advance the economic, financial, and political inclusion of refugees. The prize is funded by Andan Foundation, a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting solutions that promote refugee resilience, self-reliance and integration. Up to $100,000 will be granted to up to four eligible Solver teams from across any of Solve’s Global Challenges and the Community Indigenous Fellowship.

The GM Prize

The GM Prize is open to solutions that help create smart, safe, and sustainable communities around the world. The Prize is funded by General Motors, which is working toward becoming the most inclusive company in the world, and dedicated to making STEM education more accessible and equitable. Up to $150,000 will be granted to up to six recipients from the Antiracist Technology in the US, Equitable Classrooms, and Resilient Ecosystems Challenges.

Innovation for Women Prize

Solutions that use innovative technology to improve quality of life for women and girls are eligible for the Innovation for Women Prize. This prize is funded by the Vodafone Americas Foundation, which supports technology-focused projects that advance the needs of women and girls, and that promote a world where women’s voices can be celebrated. Up to $75,000 will be granted across up to three Solver teams from any of Solve’s current Global Challenges.

Minderoo Prize to End Global Overfishing

The Minderoo Prize to End Global Overfishing is open to solutions that use innovative technology to help improve fisheries monitoring, eliminate illegal fishing and forced labor, and increase supply chain integrity. The prize is funded by Minderoo Foundation, an Australian philanthropic organization committed to returning the oceans to a flourishing state by 2030. Up to $100,000 will be granted to up to four eligible Solver teams from the Resilient Ecosystems Challenge.

The ServiceNow Prize

The ServiceNow Prize is open to solutions that connect communities to develop, share, and replicate best practices for carbon absorption and decarbonization. The prize is funded by ServiceNow, a cloud computing platform which is focused on making the world of work work better for people. Up to $100,000 will be granted to up to four Solver teams from the Resilient Ecosystems Challenge.

The AI For Humanity Prize

The AI for Humanity Prize is open to solutions leveraging data science, artificial intelligence, and/or machine learning to benefit humanity, as well as to those planning to utilize these technologies to amplify their impact. The prize is made possible by The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropy committed to advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Up to $200,000 in funding will be awarded across several Solver teams from any of Solve’s Global Challenges and the Indigenous Communities Fellowship.

The GSR Prize

GSR will award a prize to solutions that use an innovative and sustainable approach to tackling the most pressing issues of their local communities. As a leading cryptocurrency trading firm, GSR seeks to support education (in particular STEM), alleviate poverty, and contribute to a sustainable world, with an emphasis on blockchain or innovative technology-powered solutions. Up to $150,000 will be awarded across three solutions from the Digital Inclusion, Equitable Classrooms, or Resilient Ecosystems Challenges.

FAQ

Social Posts