Phase two of Food Waste Challenge launched
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The Capricorn Foundation launched phase two of their Food Waste Challenge (FWC) in Windhoek following the successful conclusion of the challenge in 2022.This year's FWC seeks solutions that can create or expand self-sufficient social enterprises (businesses) to address the issue of food waste in Namibia and create employment for Namibians. The title of the challenge is How can we use social entrepreneurship to reduce food waste radically while creating employment opportunities?
In 2022 Namibia was ranked 78th out of 116 countries on the Global Hunger Index. Unfortunately, it has become an all-familiar sight in Namibia to see people scavenge for food at dumpsites across the country or begging for food on street corners.
Through their open innovation platform, the Capricorn Foundation launched the first challenge in 2022 to seek solutions to reduce food waste effectively through which disregarded food that is still fit for human consumption can reach more vulnerable people.
Phase 2 focuses on how social entrepreneurship can contribute to not only addressing the challenge of food waste but also how employment opportunities can be created in the process.
“We aim to uplift communities and form strategic partnerships with organisations to make a sustainable impact,” said Marlize Horn of the Capricorn Foundation.
“The foundation proudly presents this year’s Food Waste Challenge in collaboration with our official media partner Synergi Marketing, the Gondwana Care Trust and Business Box Windhoek. This year, social entrepreneurs can explore business opportunities within the value chain of food production, food processing or food distribution that can positively impact communities and, in doing so, address the problem of food waste whilst being a catalyst for job creation.”
Multiplier effect
By combining social entrepreneurship with the social issue of food waste, the Capricorn Foundation seeks to construct a multiplier effect of creating employment and relieving hunger in Namibia.
The FWC is based on an open innovation platform, offering a cash prize of N$100 000 from the Capricorn Foundation plus a branding refresh and a marketing package from Synergi worth N$50 000.
Proposals can be submitted on Capricornfoodwastechallenge.skild.com by 22 May 2023. Proposals must address hunger through the reduction of food waste and create sustainable employment opportunities.
“Sharing information to empower our communities, Synergi Marketing believes that through our network, we will connect Namibians and international stakeholders to collaborate and take responsibility for food insecurity solutions and job creation in Namibia,” said Hennie Geldenhuys of Synergi Marketing.
“We want to motivate and challenge other media institutions and stakeholders to take up this challenge and be the vehicle for positive change in Namibia. We congratulate the Capricorn Foundation on this remarkable initiative and are committed to telling the stories in whatever form, shape, or size.”
Visit https://capricornfoodwastechallenge.skild.com to enter. Further enquiries can be directed to Rikus Grobler at [email protected]