Brokerage event: call for ideas closed

The call for ideas for innovative projects with a positive impact in the Mediterranean region is now closed!

The call had been open from October, 15 till November, 30 and aimed at gathering Expressions of Interest from EU and Mediterranean countries to participate in the MedSpring Brokerage event that will be held in Cairo on the 12th and 13th February 2014.
MedSpring decided to launch this call for new innovative ideas with the primary aim of capturing a wider audience to create new knowledge, and to help transform ideas into new thinking for actions for the benefit of the region. Furthermore, MedSpring is also interested in hearing ideas which could eventually open up new fields of research. We invited proposals from young researchers or young tech-driven entrepreneurs or small groups that are able to either create new areas of work or significantly extend existing projects in the region with the aim of enhancing innovation which will to be measured with the creation of new jobs, new market opportunities, start-ups.

We are happy to announce that we received numerous Expressions of Interest coming mostly from the Mediterranean region but also from other countries opening the event to the international level. We would like to thank all those who positively reacted to this call bringing their expertise and talent to our attention. We would also like to thank all those who contributed to spreading the Call for Ideas through their contacts and networks. A detailed agenda of the Brokerage Event will be announced soon!

The selection of the best 10 "ideas-carriers" is now under way and the selected candidates will be publicly announced on 15th January 2014.
Due to the high number of Expression of Interest we are also considering ways to increase the number of supported "idea-carriers" to the brokerage event. Those who are not selected are welcome to participate in the event on their expenses.

The selection process is carried out by an Evaluation Panel which will use the following four criteria to assess the Expressions of Interest (EoIs).

Thematic relevance - ideas will be accepted on if pertinent to the following topics: resource efficiency (particularly Water), High Quality Affordable Food and Energy, or the links among them.

Potential - The EP will look at the potential of the idea of creating an opportunity for the region, possibly the potential to make a paradigm-changing contribution to knowledge and the challenges facing the region – the potential regional impact. Furthermore the panel will also look at the Business and Market opportunities of the ideas and their potential take-up by investors.

Capacity to deliver new products or services - An important criteria will be its ability to make a difference in the region from the current state of affairs.

Organisation and Team - The proposers will be screened; preference will be given to youths and early-career researchers emanating from the MedSpring Partners Countries proposing novel ideas.

You can read more about the process of selection in the Call for Ideas.

Lastly, we would like to remind those who send the Expression of Interest to register in the Brokerage Platform and to follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn for updates and further information!