Team S.T.E.P. wins the 2022 edition of the Ideas-to-Reality competition
The 2022 edition of the Ideas to reality project was a rip-roaring success. The event was held on Thursday, November 24 at the canteen of the headquarters of Stamicarbon BV. Staff and friends gathered to watch the contestants pitch their ideas for a chance to win the prize money.
Three submissions made it to the final round of the competition. Team Pro Water presented an idea that would make safe, cost-effective drinking water accessible to communities in the Sundarban. Cyclones are damaging the drinking water resources and agricultural land of the villagers and the water sources are being exposed to run-away sea water and its impurities. The water ATM is a plug-and-play standalone kiosk that would run on solar energy and provide 9,000 liters of water a day. It is designed exclusively for use in rural areas. Quality assurance is done through real-time online monitoring. There is an option for an off-grid system that runs on solar power as well. Purified water is available 24x7 with a self-dispensing machine The pilot project would kick off in Sajnekhali (Gosaba Block, South 24 Parganas, Sundarban, West Bengal, India.
Fig 1: Conditions in some parts of the Sundarban Fig 2: An installed water ATM
The second presentation was about harvesting kinetic energy from falling rainwater. The idea is that the downspout of a rain trough could act like a mini hydropower plant. The overarching goal of his project is to produce green electricity that would reduce the dependence on fossil fuels. Small electric devices like security cameras, lights, and power banks could be charged by the mini hydro turbos
Fig 3: Downspout turbine Fig 4: Irrigation system turbine
Team S.T.E.P. championed an initiative to directly address the impediments faced by children while transiting from primary to secondary school in Northern Nigeria. These impediments are a result of the Boko Haram insurgency that has ravaged that part of the country specifically Borno, Adamawa, and Yobe states. These are the states most affected by the insurgency. These 3 states have been declared as having emergencies-in-education and the insurgency has greatly influenced the number of out-of-school children The project specifically targets girls, children with disabilities, orphans, and children of the poor in those states and the country at large. The selected beneficiaries will be trained and mentored through advanced and rewarding systems for a period of 3 months. Upon the completion of the training and mentoring period, they will sit for a preliminary exam and the first 50 students will be selected. These 50 students will further sit for the final exams where the best 20 students will be selected.
Fig 5: Students being taught computer basics Fig 6: Recently graduated primary school students.
The event was attended by around 60 colleagues and started with a presentation by Marc Cornelissen Brightlands Award winner Ricco Fiorito, who shared the development of his innovations in the sustainable furniture industry. Colleagues were given the opportunity to ask questions and feel samples of his finishing spray made from natural waste materials such as recycled jeans and cork.
The three shortlisted ideas were then presented by their owners before the decision was put to a live vote. All three entrants should be congratulated on the quality of their ideas and the effort put into their submissions and presentations.
Congratulation to the winner: Team S.T.E.P
Attracting 48% of the vote, Team S.T.E.P was named the winner of the 2022 Ideas-to-Reality Competition, winning both the honor and EUR 5,000 to turn their idea into a reality. The Ideas to Reality project has undoubtedly made its mark and further affirmed Stamicarbon’s commitment and dedication towards sustainability and innovation. From Uganda to India, we have witnessed how the ideas we sponsor have left an indelible mark. We are on a mission, armed with a vision to ensure we create a lasting impression.
Fig 7: The winner receives the winning from the Stamicarbon CEO.