UAE National Sustainability Competition 2010

The application process

Please read the following steps carefully. Incomplete submissions will not be accepted.

Step 1 – Registration

All interested teams and individuals are kindly requested to register their interest by simply filling in their name and contact details on our website http://www.ilearn.ae/register.aspx

Identify about your project idea. Think of an issue that you want to address. Now work out how you can get this message across. You will need to identify an event or activity you can organize that will have an impact in tackling this issue. Your project needs to be sustainable and leave a legacy, so think of something that will continue to have an impact after you have delivered it. It also must be something that you will be able to make happen by January 2011. Remember your project should address one or a combination of the following environmental sustainability issues in the UAE:

sustainability issues in the UAE:

• Energy and global warming
• Water scarcity
• Waste management

Step 2 – Submission of project ideas

Submission of entries is open from 15th September 2010. Closing day for registration of project ideas is 5 pm, 11th November 2010.

What to include in your submission and how to submit

You should download and fill in the project submission form (a word document). There is one form for both teams and individuals. Complete the questions and email your completed project form along with a photo of your team or yourself if applying as an individual to nsc@ilearn.ae Hard copy resources such as portfolios, posters, resources will not be accepted for submission. Any supporting material in electronic format must be specifically referenced in your project submission form. Images, documents, presentations, videos may be attached to the submission form electronically.

You will receive an email notification that your project submission form has been received. This may take a few days. If you have not received this email within a week, please contact us per email nsc@ilearn.ae

Your application should contain:

1. Title of your projec
2. Title of your Team/ Name of Individual/ Name of the Project Leader
3. Brief description of your submission (no more than 50 words)
4. Document how your project addresses these criteria (500 words max):
   • Identify the sustainability issue(s) and identify your target audience
   • Define the problem - what is your project addressing or trying to change?
   • Can you or do you explore the interconnectedness of related issues (environmental, social, economic and cultural)
   • Identify the impact(s) of your project.
   • How are you planning to implement your project, what partners and resources are you planning to use
   • How did you (or will you) communicate your project's achievements and success?
   • Did you (or will you) talk with others about your project? Did you write a report or a speech, build a model, create a PowerPoint presentation? Did you (or will you) share the outcomes with others in your community?
5. Did you learn anything new about your sustainability challenge or about yourself while doing this project?
6. What does sustainable living mean to you and for the UAE?

In addition to your written application, the submission must take the form of a video film (maximum duration of the DVD is 5 minutes) preferably in Quick Time format. The video should be sent in a compressed format via e-mail to nsc@ilearn.ae

If you have problems submitting your project form electronically please contact the Program coordinator at nsc@ilearn.ae

Teams and individuals will be required (at the appropriate stage of the competition) to submit a declaration form signed by all the relevant participant to confirm that their entry is all their own work.

Responsibility cannot be accepted for lost, delayed or damaged entries. Entries that are not received by iLearn on or before the final entry deadline will be excluded from the competition. Incomplete, illegible or altered entries and any not in accordance with the entry instructions or terms and conditions are invalid and such entry will be excluded from the competition.

Entries will not be returned. Title to and copyright in the short listed entries will be passed to iLearn and iLearn may publish, reproduce or copy entries in any medium for promotion purposes only to promote the competition. Please ensure you keep a copy for your personal reference.

Some of the best entries will be posted on our website www.ilearn.ae

Closing day for registration of project ideas is 5 pm, 11th November 2010.

Step 3 – Selection of shortlisted entries

All projects will be assessed by an expert panel against the following criteria:

• Problem identification - identifying sustainability issues most relevant to the UAE and their community
• Creativity -are most creative and original
• Understanding of sustainability
• Exploring solutions – best describe what the teams/individuals intend to do in order to implement the project and achieve a positive change
• Capacity building – how will the teams communicate and engage their targeted community in achieving the desired results

The 10 shortlisted teams and individuals chosen at the discretion of the judging panel, will be notified by email by 8 pm on 21st November 2010.

The decision of the judging panel is final. We will not enter into any correspondence. Teams and individuals that have not been qualified for the next level will be informed in the course of the following days.

The selected teams and individuals will be eligible to a 45 min consultation session with a sustainability mentor who will provide the participants with guidance on possible partners and resources for implementing their project.

All shortlisted projects will receive a recognition in the form of personalized certificates.

Stage 4 - Implementation

The 10 teams have until January 2011 to implement their project and film their activities.

Closing date for receipt of final submission is 5pm 6th January 2011.

The final submission must take the form of a video clip with a maximum duration of 10 minutes preferably in Quick Time format. The video should be sent in a compressed format via e-mail to nsc@ilearn.ae

Responsibility cannot be accepted for lost, delayed or damaged entries. Entries that are not received by iLearn on or before the final entry deadline will be excluded from the competition. Incomplete, illegible or altered entries and any not in accordance with the entry instructions or terms and conditions are invalid and such entry will be excluded from the competition.

Entries will not be returned. Title to and copyright in the short listed entries will be passed to iLearn and iLearn may publish, reproduce or copy entries in any medium for promotion purposes only to promote the competition. Please ensure you keep a copy for your personal reference.

Please note that winners of this stage of the competition will be representing this campaign and will be asked to participate in promoting it and providing their feedback on the campaign.
An expert panel will assess all projects against:

• Problem identification - identifying sustainability issues most relevant to the UAE and their community
• Creativity -are most creative and original
• Understanding of sustainability
• Effectiveness of proposed solutions and actions
• Capacity building – how did you communicate and engage your targeted community in achieving the desired results

Final winners will be announced by 8 pm on 16th January 2011.