ABSTRACT
The lack of adequate sanitation facilities is a global problem with an estimated 2.3 billion people using unimproved toilets or no toilets at all when eliminating waste. This problem leads to significant public health issues with an estimated 280,000 diarrheal deaths per year attributable to inadequate sanitation. Poor sanitation is also a major factor in several neglected tropical diseases, including intestinal worms, schistosomiasis, and trachoma as well as contributing to malnutrition. World Vision, supported by SeaFreight Labs, is seeking novel new ideas, concepts, and approaches to attack the lack of adequate toilets and latrines in some of the poorest areas of the world.
This is an Ideation Challenge with a guaranteed award for at least one submitted solution.
OVERVIEW
Properly designed and constructed toilets are a key feature of adequate sanitation facilities. Toilets consist of three primary components (1) containment – the mechanism by which waste is stored for treatment or removal, (2) interface – the point of contact between the user and containment, and (3) superstructure – the structure above the ground that serves to separate the user from the environment and provide privacy and safety. Unfortunately the cost of a proper toilet makes them unaffordable to the vast majority of the rural poor in many parts of the world and an estimated 2.3 billion people use unimproved toilets or no toilet at all. World Vision is seeking to address this problem by soliciting novel ideas, concepts, and technologies to significantly lower the cost of safe, sanitary, and effective toilets. While solutions presenting integrated designs that address all three primary components are ideal, Solvers may also receive awards for solutions that only lower the cost of one or two components. Solutions to this Challenge will have a major positive impact on the lives of countless children and adults worldwide and potentially reduce significantly the number of deaths due to poor sanitation conditions around the globe.
This is an Ideation Challenge, which has the following unique features:
PLEASE NOTE: In addition to monetary awards, winning Solvers, with their consent, will receive recognition in a public announcement made by World Vision and will have the opportunity for engagement and collaboration with World Vision and other stakeholders to discuss application of their solutions.
Submissions to this Challenge must be received by 11:59 PM (US Eastern Time) on 12-Jan-2021. Late submissions will not be considered.
After the Challenge deadline, the Seeker will complete the review process and make a decision with regards to the Winning Solution(s). All Solvers that submit a proposal will be notified on the status of their submissions; however, no detailed evaluation of individual submissions will be provided.
ELIGIBILITY
Employees of World Vision and their immediate families, as well as any individuals involved in the judging of this Challenge and their immediate families, are ineligible to receive an award for this Challenge.