Newsletter October 2007

Now in its third year, World Challenge 2007, organized by BBC World and Newsweek, in association with Shell, is a global competition that seeks out development projects and businesses that not only make a profit, but also give back to the community. The competition is all about rewarding individuals or groups that truly make a difference through enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level.

Last year 817 nominations were received from 120 countries, and this year the 12 finalists have already been selected. It is now up to everyone to cast their vote and choose the winner, which will receive a $20,000 prize from Shell to benefit their project. The two runners up will receive $10,000 each. The finalists will be featured in October in Newsweek magazine, and a major story will be written on the winner. The winner will be announced at the awards ceremony to be held at The Hague, Netherlands on December 4, 2007. The awards ceremony will be broadcast on BBC World on December 8 and 9.

One of the 12 finalists is T’ikapapa (Peru), which is an initiative of the CIP’s (International Potato Center) Papa Andina Partnership Program. T’ikapapa is a marketing concept that links small-scale potato farmers from the Andean highlands in Peru to new urban markets, taking advantage of potato biodiversity to tap new market opportunities. The farmers of Peru's high Andes are among the poorest in the country, with average incomes of under US $1 per day. Yet these farmers are sitting on something of a goldmine, for the region is home to some 3000 varieties of potato. These native strains bear little resemblance to the familiar staple of Western diets – many are brightly colored (inside and out) and strangely shaped, as well as vitamin-packed and organically grown. The project's ‘participatory market chain approach' is now being applied to potato chips and other value-added products. Vote for T'ikapapa! We urge you to support T’ikapapa in this contest by voting for the initiative, as well as inviting friends, family and as many collaborators as possible. Voting will close at 1700 GMT on November 16, 2007.

Source: theworldchallenge.co.uk

PAST NEWSLETTERS:

• Newsletter December 2007
• Newsletter November 2007
• Newsletter October 2007
• Newsletter September 2007
• Newsletter August 2007
• Newsletter July 2007
• Newsletter June 2007
• Newsletter May 2007
• Newsletter April 2007
• Newsletter March 2007
• Newsletter February 2007
• Newslette January 2007