As global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise, climate change is disrupting economies and affecting lives, but it is not too late to limit the increase in global temperature.
The Social Shifters x Rathbones Global Climate Challenge is designed to enable young people (18-30 years) to explore, start and grow ideas that will help accelerate the shift to net zero emissions.
A cash award of $10,000 will be made to the best idea and our FREE digital incubator program will be available to all eligible applicants, worldwide!
Accelerating Next Gen Leaders, Innovators & Entrepreneurs
Social Shifters are next generation leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs with fresh solutions to the most pressing social and environmental challenges.
Our Global Innovation Challenge brings together a coalition of the world’s leading businesses to set Challenges that will accelerate the work of these young changemakers.
The Climate Emergency
Climate change is now affecting every country. It is disrupting economies and affecting lives. Weather patterns are changing, sea levels are rising, and weather events are becoming more extreme. While global emissions have increased by almost 50 per cent since 1990, it is not
too late to limit the increase in the global temperature. But urgent action is required, now.
Develop your skills, confidence & future prospects with help from skilled mentors & as part of a supportive global community.
Accelerate Your Idea
Get FREE access to a world-leading Digital Incubator program to help develop your project or business idea.
Make an Impact
Compete for an award of $10,000 to deliver activities that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help move to net zero emissions more quickly.
We are particularly interested in solutions that:
Help make the shift to clean and renewable energy
Reduce the consumption of fossil fuels
Support the switch to sustainable transport
Heat our homes in an energy-efficient way
Reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill
Promote responsible consumption
Scale down plastic pollution
Restore our forests and oceans to help absorb CO2
Accelerating the Shift to Net Zero
In this Challenge, we’re looking for climate solutions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, supporting the move to net zero emissions more quickly. These should be lasting solutions that can be scaled up over time. We welcome ideas at any stage and from anywhere in the world.
Global Innovation Challenge 2021 Climate Award Winner
Marta Uetela | 25 | Biomec | Mozambique
Marta is transforming abandoned ocean plastics into affordable, 3-D printed prosthetics that enable people with disabilities to experience life with more possibilities.
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals
The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) or Global Goals are a collection of 17 interlinked global goals designed to be a "shared blueprint” for peace and prosperity for people and the planet, now and into the future.
Visit the United Nations SDG website to find out more about Sustainable Development Goal 13 - Climate Action and the global work contributing to it.
Meet Winners From Our Other Competition Categories
Ken Ruto | 24 | Kenya
Science and Technology Award Winner
Creating digital tools that will revolutionize State water utilities and provide the next billion Africans with a consistent, clean and affordable water supply.
Marta Uetela | 25 | Biomec | Mozambique
Climate Award Winner
Transforming abandoned ocean plastics into affordable, 3-D printed prosthetics that enable people with disabilities to experience life with more possibilities.
Ivan Hartano | 29 | Belift Beans | Indonesia
Asia-Pacific Award Winner
Changing the lives of smallholder coffee farmers in Indonesia by improving yields, increasing wages, and opening up access to international markets.
Elena Höge | 29 | Yaldi Games | Scotland
Global Innovation Award Winner
Harnessing the power of immersive video games to inspire children to go outside, connect with nature, and improve their mental wellbeing.
Reham Salman | 23 | Clin.ai | United Arab Emerites
Middle East and North Africa Award Winner
Finding new ways to accelerate medical trials, which enable vaccines to be brought to market faster, and better solutions found to fight and eradicate disease.
GIC 2023 Timeline
Today
Register Now For Early Access To Support
June 26th
Submissions Open
August 7th
Submission Support Starts
August 20th
Submissions Close
August 28th
Digital Incubator Starts
September 18th
Judging Begins
October 13th
Judging Ends
November 1st
Finalists Coaching Begins
November 27th
Finalist Pitching Begins
December 8th
Winning Projects Announced
What’s in it For Me?
All eligible entrants will receive free access to our Digital Incubator program, including access to e-learning, exclusive events, and online coaching.
Finalists will be matched with coaches from some of the world's leading companies.
The winner of the Global Climate Challenge will receive a $10,000 USD award, and all shortlisted finalists will get access to mentorship and opportunities for media publicity.
Rathbones Group plc provides investment and wealth management services for private clients, charities, trustees and professional partners. Rathbones has been trusted for generations to manage and preserve its clients’ wealth and is committed to playing its part in the move to a net zero economy.
About Us
Social Shifters exists to help next generation leaders, innovators and entrepreneurs to make a difference in the world.
We operate on a non-profit basis, providing engaging learning experiences, practical mentoring, and a global community of support to move you, and your ideas, forward.
