Automation, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies continue to rapidly transform the nature of work. While the net impact of these transformations remains uncertain, workers are contending with three undeniable trends: some jobs are disappearing; other jobs are precarious, with social safety nets and benefits disappearing in favor of contract and freelance work; and many jobs require a changing set of skills. In particular, low-skilled, informal, and migrant workers are most at risk of being displaced through the technological transformations of work.
On the other hand, these transformations present remarkable opportunities for new jobs and new businesses, but only for those equipped with the appropriate skills, resources, and networks. The same countries where workers are struggling to keep or find good jobs also experience skills shortages and unfilled vacancies.
This makes it essential to upskill and retrain workers to enable them to match employer demand or start their own venture. Further, when two-thirds of jobs worldwide are created by small and medium-sized businesses, supporting those traditionally underserved with access to capital, networks, and in-demand skills is key to creating opportunity and good jobs for entire communities.
The MIT Solve community is looking for technology-based solutions that spur good jobs and inclusive entrepreneurial opportunities. To that end, Solve seeks solutions that:
This challenge is one of give current Global Challenges by SolveMIT. All solutions selected for Solve’s five current Global Challenges will receive a $10,000 grant funded by Solve. Solver teams will be selected by a panel of cross-sector judges at Solve Challenge Finals during UN General Assembly week in New York City on September 20, 2020.
In addition to Solve funding, the following prizes are available to Solver teams selected for the Good Jobs & Inclusive Innovation Challenge. To be considered for a prize, complete the prize-specific question within the application. You do not need to meet these requirements to apply to the Good Jobs & Inclusive Innovation Challenge:
The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion
The Andan Prize for Innovation in Refugee Inclusion is open to solutions that advance the economic, financial, and political inclusion of refugees. The prize is funded by Andan Foundation, a Swiss non-profit foundation dedicated to supporting solutions that promote refugee resilience, self-reliance and integration. Up to $100,000 will be granted to up to four eligible Solver teams from the Good Jobs & Inclusive Innovation, Maternal & Newborn Health, Learning for Girls & Women, and Sustainable Food Systems Challenges.
Innovation for Women Prize
Solutions that use innovative technology to improve quality of life for women and girls are eligible for the Innovation for Women Prize. This prize is funded by the Vodafone Americas Foundation, which supports technology-focused projects that advance the needs of women and girls, and that promote a world where women’s voices can be celebrated. Up to $75,000 will be granted across up to three Solver teams from the Good Jobs & Inclusive Innovation, Maternal & Newborn Health, Learning for Girls & Women, and Sustainable Food Systems Challenges.
The GM Prize on Good Jobs and Inclusive Entrepreneurship
Solutions that enable working-age adults to build the skills and resources they need to access well-paying jobs in a changing marketplace are eligible for the GM Prize on Good Jobs and Inclusive Entrepreneurship, made possible by General Motors. Up to $75,000 will be granted across to up to three Solver teams within the Good Jobs and Inclusive Entrepreneurship Challenge, along with the opportunity to visit GM headquarters to meet with engineers and discuss solution scaling.
The Gulbenkian Award for Adult Literacy
The Gulbenkian Foundation Award is open to solutions that increase literacy rates among adults and that advance inclusive economic growth through greater digital literacy. Selected solutions will be based anywhere, and should be interested in including a future pilot in Portugal. The Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation will assist the selected Solver teams to find partners to support local pilots. The award is funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, an international foundation based in Portugal which supports the fields of arts, charity, education, and science. Up to $300,000 will be granted across up to four eligible Solver teams from the Good Jobs and Inclusive Entrepreneurship and Learning for Girls and Women Challenges.
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