The Europe Direct Information Centre (EDIC) Nicosia, the European Documentation Centre University of Nicosia (EDC-UNIC) and the European Documentation Centre University of Cyprus (EDC-UCY) are proud to announce the “Go Green, Go Digital, Go Start-up!” Online Start-up Idea Competition for Cyprus-based young people between 18-30 years old.
The Competition aims to support and encourage young people to develop and expand creative and innovative business ideas within the scope of EU ideals on Innovation in Technology, contributing to its declared climate neutral objective. Along with technological gadgets, young people will have the opportunity to expand their network of contacts and seek out new collaborations.
The Competition will reward young people with business ideas relevant to the European Commission’s Green Deal and Digital Agenda. Potential applicants are invited to submit their start-up ideas within the scope of two critical themes, namely, ‘Innovation in Technology’ and ‘Climate Neutral EU’.
Scope and general information
Europe is fast evolving, which means current and future businesses need to adapt to succeed, especially in the face of a global pandemic with periods of lockdown and in line with the von der Leyen Commission’s objective of the EU becoming climate neutral. The “Go Green, Go, Digital, Go Start-up” Competition was expressly designed to prepare young people for these changes when developing their start-up ideas.
The lockdown, imposed as a measure against the spread of COVID-19 in Cyprus, highlighted the importance of offering support and encouragement to young people with great ideas, in helping them to expand and deliver on their business ideas. In line with that, the winners of the Competition will be provided with technology that will assist in digitalising work practices.
It should be noted that the purpose of the Competition is to invite young people to think creatively and submit concepts which they can then build on to seek out funding opportunities and, ultimately, realize their ideas. As such, the competition does not offer monetary prizes, but rather technological tools, meaning there will be no follow-up to ensure the concepts are implemented or realized.
The best start-up idea, as well as two runners up, will be awarded with technology that will assist in the initial stages and implementation of their idea.
Deadline for submissions: 23 December 2020.
The Competition will be held in English.
For more information on the “Go Green, Go Digital, Go Start-Up” Competition, including terms and conditions, selection and evaluation criteria, and the application process, please visit: unic.ac.cy/greenstartup20/.