A regional initiative based on national competitions for young people from PIDF member countries to showcase the benefits of solar energy. PIDF member countries include: Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, Palau, Republic of Marshall Islands, Solomon Islands, Timor-Leste, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu
Introduction
The Pacific Islands Development Forum and its partners are proud to announce the launch of the first ever Fiji Youth Solar Challenge – a national competition for young people from across the country to showcase the benefits of solar energy. The youth of Fiji are its future leaders, and can spread the message that it is time to embrace solar energy.
The prompt is:
Design a project to inspire your community to recognize the benefits of solar energy.
This is an open-ended prompt. We want creative answers!
Officially, the United Nations defines ‘Youth’ as those between the ages of 15 and 24.
However, this competition is open to those under the age of 30 on April 30, 2020.
We want you to create an innovative way to inspire your own community into realizing the benefits of solar. Submissions can take a variety of forms, whether they’re written, displayed, or performed. Some examples include:
- Designing a solar art project that inspires your community
- Creating a guide to solar energy projects in your area
- Writing and singing a catchy and informative song that could be played on the radio
- Creating a short video using whatever means that can be uploaded on video-sharing and social networking sites
- Writing an essay or editorial on how your community can benefit from renewable energy…
….or anything innovative you can think of!
Winning projects will be those that demonstrate creativity and an ability to educate people on the benefits of renewable energy, particularly solar energy, for Fiji.
Some points you may wish to consider:
- How much money can be saved in your community by using solar?
- How can solar energy create jobs for Fiji?
- How will Fijians benefit from solar energy?
- What is Fiji already doing with renewable energy?
- How have other islands used solar? What can Fiji learn and what can it teach?
- In addition to cutting carbon emissions, what are the environmental benefits of solar energy?
- How did Fiji traditionally generate its electricity?
Categories of Competition
There are four categories of competitions, namely:
1) Switch 2 Solar
- Compose a 3 minute video on the positive aspects of transitioning to Solar Energy
- Entice Youths to research about solar and its benefits and “put on their thinking caps” towards a change in mindset.
- Outcome of research could be 1st stepping stone or ignite a flame towards consideration of a career path as solar technicians.
- Enabling factor as a transitional behavioral pattern and acceptance of Solar for the future.
- Youths through “tagging” become a medium of advertisement of Solar and cause a rippling effect in spreading awareness.
- PRIZE
- Certificate of Participation
- Solar light kit worth FJD$150
- Laptop worth FJD $1500
- Youth Ambassador of PIDF
2) Build it Solar
- To motivate “Tech Geeks” and youth inventors to participate through their University student association to build a small solar powered gadgets that could be utilized by communities towards improving sustainable livelihoods, for instance, solar water pumps for community use, guided through and supported by the University. Gadgets to be made on a small scale budget or from repurposed or recycled parts.
- Final voting will be done through a demo display and showcase fair of Solar.
- Enabling factor as a transitional behavioral pattern and acceptance of Solar for the future.
- Youths through “tagging” become a medium of advertisement of Solar and cause a rippling effect in spreading awareness.
- PRIZE
- Certificate of Participation
- Solar light kit worth FJD$150
- Business Grant worth FJD $1500
- Youth Ambassador of PIDF
3) Sell It Solar
- Motivate youth inventors and entrepreneurs to transition towards solar energy and possibly secure seed funding for their business idea.
- Private sector, especially in the Agriculture sector to start exploring Solar energy as a sustainable and cost effective alternative for businesses.
- Solar energy as an enabling factor towards assisting in addressing the food security challenge post COVID19.
- Inclusive and holistic approach in enabling youths in rural communities to be part of the PYSC.
- PRIZE
- Certificate of Participation
- Solar Light Kit worth FJD$150
- Prize Money FJD $1500
- National Internship opportunity
- Solar Ambassador for PIDF
4) Serenade In Solar’
- Transition towards and awareness of sustainable practices shouldn’t be only for those in the private sector or academically oriented. Rather, it calls for a more inclusive approach.
- Songs and music are ingrained in the lifestyles of the Pacific people and what better way to convey messages then through songs.
- Online voting/judging system for video will ensure wide spread publicity and awareness of the PYSC.
- PRIZE
- Certificate of Participation
- Solar Light Kit worth FJD$150
- Prize money FJD $500
- Mobile smartphone
- Solar Ambassador for PIDF
Submission
- Closing Date is: 30 April, 2021
- Submissions link are provided for each criteria above.
- For all queries, send an email to PYSC@pidf.ipasifik.net or call 3311518
Award Ceremony
Video Competition Awardee – Rodney Acraman
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