SDG Thematics
In the face of the COVID-19 crisis and its economic aftermath, social innovation will be needed more than ever, as a process of developing and deploying effective solutions to challenging and often systemic social and environmental issues in support of social and economic progress.
In these times, we want to position Accelerate2030 as a vehicle to drive the transformation towards a more sustainable economy, providing promising entrepreneurial solutions with the support, exposure and connections needed to scale.
With these thoughts in mind, while the program is open to entrepreneurs tackling any of the SDGs, we want to give Impact Hubs the option to focus and/or integrate specific thematic areas in implementing the program and delivering a more tailored response to the post-COVIC-19 crisis. We invite interested Implementing Hubs to consider thematic cohorts/verticals. This thematic option allows for each Hub to leverage their existing expertise and focus, and potentially connect local cohorts with international partners and opportunities (i.e. Circular Economy Transition Scaling Week or Health Innovation trips) tailored to each thematic focus.
Possible thematics include:
SDG 12: Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns
(Circular Economy Transition)
Why this theme matters
Economic and social progress over the last century has been accompanied by environmental degradation that is endangering the very systems on which our future development and very survival depend. If we don’t act to change our consumption and production patterns, we will cause irreversible damage to our environment.
With the COVID-19 pandemic affecting the livelihoods of millions of people across the world, the call for a more resilient, inclusive and sustainable approach to economic development is currently more urgent than ever. This is why we are passionate about bringing more focus on this SDG within the program this year. Read more about Why this matters, as outlined by the UN.
Inspiration from the Circular Economy Transition Program in Switzerland
Together with the other Impact Hubs in Switzerland, Impact Hub Geneva and Lausanne have piloted a nation-wide Circular Economy Transition initiative to help the Swiss economy shift towards a more sustainable, circular model. Within this program we have run a CE incubator for projects and startups, Business Lab for corporates and SMEs, Community Events for the General Public and also worked on research and policy recommendations.
Potential activities for a thematic vertical (under development)
Within the next edition of Accelerate2030 we aim to transfer this knowledge and experience to participating Impact Hubs who are interested to run this thematic, by providing:
- Online content on Circular Economy for a wider audience in the form of Communities of Practise (more info coming soon)
- Sourcing a dedicated cohort of ventures working on the thematic
- Circular Economy online courses for participating ventures
- Access to an expert network on circular economy
Opportunity for the best CE ventures to participate in a CE Scaling Week (TBC)
SDG 3: Good Health and Wellbeing
Why this theme matters
Ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being at all ages is essential to sustainable development. Currently, the world is facing a global health crisis unlike any other — COVID-19 is spreading human suffering, destabilizing the global economy and upending the lives of billions of people around the globe. Health emergencies such as COVID-19 pose a global risk and have shown the critical need for preparedness. The United Nations Development Programme highlighted huge disparities in countries’ abilities to cope with and recover from the COVID-19 crisis. The pandemic provides a watershed moment for health emergency preparedness and for investment in critical 21st century public services.
Inspiration from our Health Vertical pilot in the last edition
In the last edition we piloted a thematic on Health with particular focus in Brazil, in partnership with Pfizer and 6 Brazilian Impact Hubs. The ventures sourced through the process were extremely inspiring and the ones that made it in the global cohort had a unique opportunity to connect with the key players from the health ecosystem based in Geneva (incl. World Health Organization, UNAIDS, Doctors without Borders etc.). The Accelerate2030 global team has been working consistently in creating strong linkages with the health ecosystem globally. See some more inspirational stories from entrepreneurs and partners.
Potential activities for a thematic vertical (under development)
- Sourcing a dedicated cohort of ventures working on the thematic
- Access to an expert network on health
- Strategic connections with the global health ecosystem – UN agencies, investors, experts, commercial partners (in Geneva and other hotspots across the globe)
SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
Why this theme matters
Billions of people—mostly in rural areas—still lack these basic services. Worldwide, one in three people do not have access to safe drinking water, two out of five people do not have a basic hand-washing facility with soap and water, and more than 673 million people still practice open defecation. The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated the critical importance of sanitation, hygiene and adequate access to clean water for preventing and containing diseases. Yet billions of people still lack safe water sanitation, and funding is inadequate.
Inspiration from our pilot in the last edition
In the last edition we piloted a thematic vertical on Clean Water and Sanitation in Nigeria in collaboration with Impact Hub Lagos, Waterpreneurs and Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council. The ventures sourced through the process were extremely inspiring and had a unique opportunity to be connected to the regional ecosystem on water and sanitation in Africa through high visibility and connection events organized within this collaboration.
Potential activities for a thematic vertical (under development)
- Sourcing a dedicated cohort of ventures working on the thematic
- Access to an expert network on the topic
- Strategic connections with the global ecosystem – UN agencies, investors, experts, commercial partners (in Geneva and other hotspots across the globe)
