Arab Youth Hackathon invites young Lebanese innovators to find solutions to pressing climate challenges

Arab Youth Hackathon invites young Lebanese innovators to find solutions to pressing climate challenges

NNA -nbsp;PepsiCo and the Arab Youth Center (AYC)nbsp;have opened applications fornbsp;young Arab innovators tonbsp;apply for thenbsp;Arab Youth Hackathon,nbsp;anbsp;regional entrepreneurship programnbsp;aimed atnbsp;creatingnbsp;smarter solutionsnbsp;tonbsp;climate-relatednbsp;issuesnbsp;in the areas ofnbsp;agriculture,nbsp;circular economy, water security,nbsp;and renewablenbsp;energynbsp;and efficiency.

According to recent research,nbsp;65% of Gen Z members in MENA are concerned about the world, butnbsp;a higher proportion -nbsp;66%nbsp;arenbsp;hopeful about the change they can deliver.nbsp;50%nbsp;arenbsp;alsonbsp;actively striving to make a change through social, political, or environmental means.

The hackathon will run innbsp;Lebanon,nbsp;Jordan,nbsp;UAE, Saudinbsp;Arabia,nbsp;andnbsp;Egypt, and isnbsp;seekingnbsp;applicantsnbsp;including university students and early-stage entrepreneurs who either are looking to ideate or have a preliminary existing idea at the testing phase, which will evolve during the hackathons. Candidates must apply in teams of 2 to 3 participantsnbsp;aged betweennbsp;18 to 35 years of age, with at leastnbsp;one member older than 21 years.

Once the shortlist of teamsnbsp;hasnbsp;been selected, PepsiCo, PepsiCo Foundation, Plug and Playnbsp;andnbsp;AYC will host athree-daynbsp;localnbsp;hackathon,nbsp;providing mentorship and curated workshops to transfer knowledge to the participants.nbsp;In Lebanon, the hackathon will take place at Beirut Digital District from 28thnbsp;tonbsp;30thnbsp;October.

The proposed solutionsnbsp;will be assessed and selected based onnbsp;itsnbsp;innovation andnbsp;be financially feasible and scalable. A panel of experts will evaluate the entries based on their sustainability alignment, ability to reduce emissions, and the magnitude of impact on areasnbsp;under the four pillars of