Members of the public who may have innovative solutions for utilising ash blown here following the eruption of the La Soufriere volcano, are invited to participate in the Volcanic Ash Product Challenge.
The initiative, which is organised by the Barbados Investment and Development Corporation (BIDC) as part of its Export Barbados campaign, is divided into two components: a social media challenge and a product challenge.
Under the product challenge, interested persons should submit a proposal of between 200 and 500 words which outlines their product or solution; the problem it solves; how the solution can be implemented within 12 months; and a four-minute video explaining the idea and process.
The winner will receive a grand prize of BDS$5,000, while $3,000 and $2,000 will go to the participants who cop second and third place, respectively. Participants can also win access to BIDC’s suite of export business development services valued at over $15,000.
Under the social media component of the contest, persons are invited to post a photo in response to one of the following tasks.
The first option is Challenge 1: Reusing volcanic ash from the La Soufriere eruption, what new or improved products would you create? The second option is Challenge 2: What equipment, machinery or technology product would you create or utilise to clean up volcanic ash?
When posting photos, participants must use the hashtag #ExportBarbados along with #challenge1 or #challenge2, depending on the option chosen. A prize of $200 will be awarded for each winning idea.
The deadline for BIDC’s Export Barbados Volcanic Ash Product Challenge is Monday, May 10. For more information on eligibility and submission guidelines, please click here.