Project and Pitch Criteria

The Project and Pitch is at the heart of the Challenge. This comprehensive, team based project will allow you to dig deeply into the cause you care about and work on a real plan to implement and affect change. You will work alongside a locally based Community Partner Organization like and NGO, CSO, Non Profit or social enterprise of your own choosing and will gain important information about the work they do and how you might enhance it or compliment it with an innovative project that addresses at least one of the Sustainable Development Goals. You will also attend mentor events where you will gain support and help with your project idea. You will gain an understanding of your issue, collaborate with your team and community members, use social media and other means to share your ideas, learn about the cultural, environmental and bureaucratic obstacles to your ideas and how to work through them. Your written report will include realistic budgeting costs and demonstrate sustainability. Your project idea must be realistic, sustainable and have the ability to be implemented should you win prize money. Once your Phase 1 written abstracts (summary) have been evaluated, the top teams advance to Phase 2 where you build on your written project and pitch live to a community audience where thousands will be given out in financial sponsorships to make the projects a reality. Hard work= transformational results!

The Written Component

Below is the criteria for scoring the Final Phase 2 projects. This written format builds on the previous information from your Phase 1 Abstract. It should be comprehensive and can include graphics, links, photos, and other media to enhance your project.

Please complete the following and submit by the posted deadline. This is submitted one week before the live pitch event.

PROJECT DESCRIPTION 15% of grade

What is the problem you want to address and why does it matter to your team?

Give a clear and detailed explanation of what your project is.

How will your project address the problem?

UNDERSTANDING THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS 5% of Grade

Demonstrate your understanding of the SDGs and their importance.

Which SDG(s) does your project address and how?

TEAM DESCRIPTION 10% of grade

Use of Team-Building as part of the SDC preparation. Describe your team members; their contributions, special roles or talents and how you worked together.

How did you encourage a diverse team? Did anyone go beyond the scope of the project? i.e.: volunteering, plans to work with NGO after the Challenge?

COMMUNITY PARTER ORGANIZATION DESCRIPTION 10% of grade

The Role of your PARTNER ORGANIZATION. Whom have you chosen to work with as your community partner? How are they aligned with your goals and values? Demonstrate your knowledge of the work they do. How have you been an asset to them? Explain the nature of your team’s relationship with the organization and explain how they have supported your project. What did you learn from them? What were some of the challenges? Were you able to address them and how?

MENTOR DESCRIPTION 10% of grade

Use of Mentors. Who are your mentors in this project and how did you meet them? Describe in detail, their role in supporting this project. Document your ongoing correspondence with them.

SOCIAL MEDIA or PROMOTION 10% of grade

Project Awareness. Did you use at least one social platform to bring awareness to the larger community about your project and cause? i.e.: social media, interviews by local media, information events in the school or community setting? Did it impact your project? Explain in detail and give links if applicable.

GEOGRAPHIC & CULTURAL CONCERNS 10% of grade

Geographic Awareness of specific country or local/regional context & Cultural Sensitivity.

Demonstrate your understanding of the context of your project idea: Does the physical geography of the area have an impact on your project? Show that you are aware of the economic and/or environmental impact your project may have. How have you considered infrastructure or lack thereof?

How have differing belief systems been taken into account? What are the cultural or social mores that may be challenged or supported by your project?

Have you considered the political situation? Could possible volatility of the region or ‘political correctness’ affect the implementation of your project?

Demonstrate that you have consulted the groups affected by your project. How will ongoing input be utilizes by interested parties?

SUSTAINABILITY CONCERNS 10% of grade

Is your project viable? If you win the prize money, what are your steps for implementation and do you feel confident you can actually make it happen? Explain and defend:

Explain how your project is economically sustainable. How will the project ‘live on’ or grow?

Show your consideration for the environmental impact and sustainability? Is the technology used appropriate for the cultural and economic context?

Is there community buy-in? Would the locals consider this ‘your’ project or ‘theirs’? Would community members consider it being done ‘for’ them or ‘with’ them? Is the project based on their expressed needs or just your ideas? Are locals involved and ready to carry on the project even if you leave?

FINANCIAL CONCERNS 20% of grade

1. Budgeting (10 points)

Give cost estimates for the project as specifically and accurately as possible.

Show how you will use the prize money (up to $5000) efficiently to complete the project. If the projects expands and costs more than $5000, do you have a plan for raising additional funds?

2. Accountability (10 points)

Give realistic figures of the impact of the project (i.e. number of people you can help)

Create a realistic timeline for the use of the funding.

The Live Pitch:

What’s Your # ? is the finale of the Challenge.

This is worth an additional 30 marks.

Each team has 10 minutes to present their project in a creative and effective manner to an audience of students, family and community members as well as a panel of judges.

The format for the presentation may include any artistic means of presentation that touches on each of the criteria areas in an inspiring way but with a minimum of a power point and verbal presentation.

Only videos produced and directed by the presenters may be used in the competition. This public presentation is worth 30 additional marks which, when combined with the abstract grade, will determine the Sustainable Development Challenge winner.

The top-scoring team will receive a school trophy and individual ribbons and financial sponsorship of up to $5000 to complete their project! Everyone is a winner because Sustainable Development Challenge participants make the world a better place! *Funds are dispersed for specific costs related to the project needs via a third party.