With a year of the COVID-19 pandemic past us, the world has begun to respond to our “new normal” in a variety of innovative ways--from online learning to schemes to support local businesses to new systems to reduce virus transmission. With cuts to employment and overall working hours being seen at levels four times those seen during the 2009 financial crisis, the biggest recovery challenges still lie ahead.

The Bounce Back Challenges consist of two innovation challenge programmes: Bounce Back Ideas and Bounce Back Awards. The Ideas Programme seeks to find the best new ideas for addressing the socioeconomic effects of the pandemic, while Bounce Back Awards honours the individuals and organisations already leading our recovery, making sure we "bounce back" in an inclusive way.

Prizes will be awarded regionally and globally in nine categories: New Business, Industry Reinvention, Business Pivoting, Job Recovery, Adaptive Workplaces, Education & Training, Supply Chain Resilience, Community Building, and Data Access. 

Participants are invited to enter online, either as individuals or groups. Entries will be evaluated across seven world regions: United States and Canada, Latin America and the Caribbean, Europe, Middle East, Africa, Central and South Asia, and Far East and Oceania.

Entries are now open for both programmes, with Bounce Back Ideas closing 04 June 2021 and Bounce Back Awards closing 20 July 2021. Both programmes will include virtual awards ceremonies, evaluation sessions led by a diverse and global judging panel, and opportunities for additional promotion and exposure via the accompanying Innovation Catalogue. Bounce Back Ideas will have a grand prize of $5,000 USD with other prizes pending.

Are you ready? Click on the link below to start your #BounceBackChallenge!