All systems are go for the 2022 International Solidarity FabLabs Challenge! For the past few months, 15 teams of young people on integration programs have been designing and implementing a responsible agriculture solution with digital tools from the FabLab.
An individual and collective challenge to develop and demonstrate professional skills.
Developing digital skills for a vital cause
Our international digital manufacturing challenge involves unemployed young people, trained for free in our 170 Solidarity FabLabs in 23 countries. The challenge this year involves arousing the interest of the professional world by developing concrete solutions prototyped with Fablab tools for sustainable agriculture. It also directly addresses the UN Sustainable Development Goal No. 2: "End hunger, achieve food security and improved nutrition and promote sustainable agriculture."
15 teams from 10 countries in Europe, Africa and the Middle East have already been shortlisted for the quality of their project and will be competing in a few days. You can encourage them and vote for your favorite ones!
Three finalists, including one super winner revealed at ChangeNOW!
At the end of the challenge, three teams will be named winners in May:
- One team will win the online audience award, which enables anyone with an internet connection to vote online for their favorite project on fondationorange.com until May 6.
- Two other teams will receive the grand prize awarded by the Orange Foundation jury on May 10.
Each of the three winning teams will win the sum of €10,000 to finalize their project, professionalize it, and equip their FabLab.
The three finalists will then be put up for another "Orange & ChangeNOW" vote to designate the ultimate winner at a global event for the planet held in Paris on May 19, 20 and 21. This last vote will be open online from May 11 on fondationorange.com and at the "Orange & ChangeNOW" stand (at the Grand Palais Éphémère and at the Eiffel Tower in Paris), where the three finalist creations will be on show in the Orange Foundation space near the Orange stand. The winning team will be revealed on stage by the leaders of Orange and ChangeNOW on May 21. The winner will receive coaching and support that can accelerate the technical, industrial and/or commercial development of the prototype.
A challenge that encompasses a professional integration program for the jobs of tomorrow
As in previous years, our challenge is aimed at young people aged 16-25 from underprivileged backgrounds attending free digital training workshops at our Solidarity FabLabs and in our Solidarity Third Places.
For the 15 teams competing, it is a chance for them to put their digital creations in the spotlight and show the whole world what they have learned at the FabLab, despite having no formal qualifications or a job!
Since 2014, these young people have been learning digital design and manufacturing, free of charge and in a collaborative way, to design and create solutions. The FabLabs represent an alternative, welcoming and innovative learning environment to help young people grow in confidence and discover the jobs of tomorrow.
The old editions
