LocationsMaldives' Local Councils Spark Innovation for Community-Driven Change
August 10, 2023
Maldives pioneered the inaugural 'Eejaadhu’ Council Innovation Challenge, marking a significant milestone in empowering local councils to drive positive change in their communities.
The challenge, a collaboration between the Local Government Authority (LGA) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives, brought together twelve island and atoll councils from across the country, all driven by a shared commitment to bring innovative change to their communities, who were selected through a rigorous process, to participate in a four-day camp held from 6th to 9th August, 2023. The primary goal of the camp was to provide a nurturing environment for these councils to refine and strengthen their innovative ideas proposed for the challenge.
Objectives of the 'Eejaadhu’ Council Innovation Challenge:
Enhancing Capacity: The challenge aimed to enhance the capacity of councils in utilizing modern technology, project management, and innovative solutions to address pressing social issues within their jurisdictions.
Platform for Experimentation: It offered a platform for councils to pilot and experiment with innovative solutions based on available resources, both within and beyond their communities, to generate sustainable revenue streams.
Inspiration and Showcase: The challenge sought to showcase innovative products and solutions, inspiring other councils to explore innovative problem-solving approaches within their own communities.
Sustainable Solutions: It aimed to foster the growth of innovative solutions in a sustainable manner, potentially leading to the establishment of local authority companies dedicated to driving long-term change.
Six Key Areas of Focus:
The challenge prioritized six critical areas for councils to submit innovative ideas, including the creative use of public spaces, participatory democratic processes, increasing women’s participation in various spheres, environmental protection, disaster risk reduction, and digital system participation.
The climax of the 'Eejaadhu’ Council Innovation Challenge was the final presentations on the last day of the camp. Council teams passionately presented their innovative ideas to a panel of judges comprising representatives from LGA, a private sector partner, an innovation expert, a program facilitator, and UNDP.
Recognizing Innovation and Impact:
The challenge recognized and celebrated the innovative solutions presented by local councils. Noonu Atoll Council emerged as the winner with their innovative project 'N. Atoll 'Bandaara Dhaftharu', which focuses on data-driven interventions for climate change adaptation, disaster risk reduction, and evidence-based decision-making.
The 1st prize winner, Noonu Atoll Council, received a cash grant of Maldivian Rufiyaa 500,000.00 (approximately US $ 30,000.00), along with the opportunity to collaborate with UNDP’s networks and technical experts, ensuring the project's continued success.
A Unified Effort for Positive Change:
The 'Eejaadhu’ Council Innovation Challenge was made possible through the unwavering support of partners such as LGA and the Joint SDG Fund.
The challenge also highlighted the significant role of women in shaping innovative solutions, as diverse perspectives and voices enriched the proposals presented for the betterment of their communities.
In the words of UNDP Maldives Resident Representative, Enrico Gaveglia, "What characterizes team UNDP Maldives is the unwavering commitment to always emotionally connect with communities in their journey to do nothing less than their very best in anything they do. We are proud of our partnership with local actors such as LGA Maldives in the delivery of innovation and entrepreneurship at the heart of a jointly designed local governance offer.”
The 'Eejaadhu’ Council Innovation Challenge sets a precedent for local councils in the Maldives, empowering them to drive innovative solutions, foster sustainable change, and make a lasting impact on their communities.
