Responsible Innovation

Healthcare innovation for safety and sustainability

Szilvia Szabó — Tue, 05 Mar 2024 14:05:07 +0000

Healthcare innovation for safety and sustainability

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Healtcare

Responsible Innovation

Sustainable Business

Topic

Responsible Innovation

When you enter a hospital, you expect immaculate cleanness and high levels of hygiene.

In spite of the best efforts of medical facilities to meet this expectation, one of the most often overlooked elements is the mattresses on which patients are lying.

While you are waiting to be treated or, in the best-case scenario, on the way to recovery, you wouldn`t think of getting infected by spending most of your time in bed.

Michael Sullivan, Founder and CEO of NUA Medical, shines a light on the fact that one in five people contract healthcare-related infections during their stay in hospitals or other care facilities.

He explains that due to extra pressure, limited blood flow and specific microclimate around the skin, patients are more likely to face some unwanted consequences of lying on foam mattresses used by health institutions.

Michael adds:

“The cleaning process of foam mattresses is not adequate for the 21st century, and foam and bacteria go well together. Typically, they are inspected visually and wiped out to clear them, which leads to low infection control.”

Michael Sullivan, Founder and CEO of NUA Medical

He notes that besides the medical aspects, foam mattresses are adding to the growing waste problem since they cannot be recycled, and 60% of them are thrown out after the first use.

About 120 foam mattresses are dumped into landfills weekly in Ireland, which is equivalent to approximately 6000 items annually - equal to the height of Carrantuohill, the highest mountain in Ireland at 1,038.6 metres - causing 230 tonnes of CO2 emissions.

As an engineer with over 25 years of experience working in the healthcare industry researching, designing, manufacturing and distributing cutting-edge pressure relief products, he decided to challenge the status quo.

“We are born on foam and die on foam. But it is a dirty product. Would you lie down and sleep on a mattress that has been used by sick people before you? Normally, you wouldn`t.”

He searched for a better alternative and came up with the NEST® innovative product line designed to prevent and treat pressure ulcers and injuries. It can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and made of 100% recyclable material.

"A very important aspect of our success has been the strategy of listening to medical professionals in Ireland, the EU and the US who provided us with insight and advice that we took back to the laboratory test centres and beta customers that allowed us to fast track the end product.”

The NEST® innovative product line was designed to prevent and treat pressure ulcers and injuries. It can be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected and made of 100% recyclable material. Image: NUA Medical

The first prototype of the mattress came out in 2018, and their current medical pressure relieving mattress and cushion solutions were launched early in 2022. Their products combine three key factors: pressure relief, infection control and minimal environmental impact.

Considering its features, it seems like the ideal solution to reduce the risk of healthcare associated infections and be kinder to the environment, but getting institutions to switch from the traditional approach has been an uphill battle.

“We needed hard evidence to change the system and have a strong business case to convince decision-makers,” Michael shares, emphasising that a mindset shift is essential.

Putting sustainability on the procurement criteria list is one of the essential steps that can level the playing field for businesses like NUA Medical to thrive and bring forward innovative and sustainable solutions.

“A big win for us was when HSE understood the benefits of making changes in their system. However, we had to convince them that by choosing an alternative, they could save money and save the planet.

Environmental factors might not be the top priority for these organisations, but with recent EU and national regulations, carbon management has become an issue.”

Since the NEST® mattress production means 70% less carbon emissions compared to traditional mattresses and is fully recyclable, it makes it a more conscious choice for achieving carbon reduction targets.

After HSE adopted changes in its procurement guidelines, Michael and his team won a game-changing contract to become a supplier to the Children`s Hospital in Dublin.

It was a special moment for him as he also has kids and can easily relate to the challenges families must face at the hospital.

“Knowing that we are here helping prevent infections on top of their hassle is an extraordinary added value to what we are doing.”

But to move towards their mission, their solution needed to be backed with a robust business case.

“Once decision-makers replace short-term goals with long-term benefits, that`s when sustainable products stand a better chance on the market. Of course, you need to have an ironclad business model that proves its worth.”

Michael adds that it is not an easy road, so you must have passion besides professional skills.

He is committed to banishing foam mattresses for good from healthcare facilities, saying that besides their efforts to prove their points, authorities need to go beyond guidelines and change legislation.

Now, they are looking at opportunities to expand their business in Ireland and internationally, raising awareness and making a positive impact on patients' lives and the environment.

Headline image: Canva

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March 2024

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Responsible Sourcing – Groundwork for a Circular Economy

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Oct 2023 17:17:54 +0000

Responsible Sourcing – Groundwork for a Circular Economy

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Responsible Innovation

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Creating a Circular Economy depends to a large extent on the sustainable sourcing of raw materials in global supply chains.

Resources such as rare earth minerals, copper, lithium and many others are crucial to sustainability, especially in the green energy transition.

The demand for these materials is expected to continue to grow substantially. To address this challenge, extracting these materials with the least possible negative impact on the environment and society is increasingly important before integrating them into circular economy systems.

However, achieving sustainable sourcing in global supply chains is a complex and challenging issue as companies, civil society organisations, governments, and countries have differing opinions on the best approach.

Besides, they must also comply with various specifications and laws, making sustainable sourcing legally binding to varying degrees.

While existing singular approaches and policies to promote the circular economy and responsible sourcing are becoming more established, there is still a need to strengthen collective action that recognises the interdependence between the two concepts and all stakeholders involved.

Harmonising fragmented sustainability approaches

The challenge of sourcing raw materials responsibly could be a bottleneck to mainstreaming circular economy solutions.

For instance, the mobility industry is strongly dependent on lithium-ion batteries in order to power the electric vehicles on the roads and run rails of the future.

Responsible sourcing of raw materials is essential in creating a Circular Economy and embracing clean technology. Image: Getty Images

On the other hand, the renewable energy sector is massively linked to rare earth elements and silicon to produce wind turbines and solar PV modules.

Meanwhile, the future of modern technology is built on the electronics and electronic equipment sector, which is intertwined with mining rare earth minerals.

Responsible Sourcing aims to harmonise existing approaches by promoting shared responsibility among policy, businesses, and civil society stakeholders across the global value chain to further sustainable sourcing of raw materials and promote circular economy practices.

The EU-funded RE-SOURCING project set out to provide a global platform for Responsible Sourcing of mineral resources in global value chains, connecting all key stakeholders in the mobility, renewable energy and electronics sectors.

Led by the Vienna University of Economics and Business and 11 international partners, this project offers a neutral, mediating space for collaborative solutions to advance Responsible Sourcing.

It can also subsequently contribute to global initiatives such as the EU Green Deal and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

The project’s main objective is to facilitate the implementation of Responsible Sourcing practices through direct knowledge exchange within its stakeholder network and beyond while advocating these practices in international political forums.

How does the RE-SOURCING Project facilitate action?

The Circular Economy is both an end and a means to achieve Responsible Sourcing.

Project partners developed roadmaps based on existing sustainability approaches, policies, and knowledge from key stakeholders in the three sectors most reliant on global mineral value chains – mobility, renewable energy and electronics.

The three sectoral roadmaps propose targets and milestones towards achieving the targets set in the EU Green Deal by 2050, each tailored to the perspectives, needs and priorities of businesses, civil society organisations or policymakers.

The roadmaps emphasise the reduction of resource consumption through eco-design, the promotion of extended producer responsibility and take-back schemes at all roadmap stages.

What makes the RE-SOURCING Stakeholder Platform unique?

Considering different stakeholder perspectives is essential for any ambition to deliver guidance for responsible sourcing.

At the core of the RE-SOURCING approach is a comprehensive understanding of the interconnections and interdependencies between sectors, stakeholders and sustainability initiatives to create a coherent and integrated picture of sustainability efforts.

The RE-SOURCING project outcomes include real-world examples, demonstrating that proactive and forward-thinking stakeholders can already achieve the proposed goals for the future through practices that already exist today.

How can the RE-SOURCING project help you embrace Responsible Sourcing?

As a policymaker, industry, or civil society representative, you can benefit from the project's many in-depth best practice examples, ranging from technology businesses setting up repair ecosystems to extend the life of their smartphones, to evaluations of the latest EU directives on responsible sourcing, to what to expect from the use of blockchain technology in supply chains.

Learning resources are publicly available in an open-source format, presenting the learnings from global supply chain stakeholders and gathering knowledge from international experts on Responsible Sourcing in various panel discussions

Key learning opportunities for the mobility, renewable energy, and electronics and electronic equipment sectors from the RE-SOURCING project:

Industry representatives

best practices in responsible sourcing
guidance for implementing successful business practices

Policymakers

insight into how international standards and regulations interact
broadening knowledge about opportunities for collaboration

Civil society organisations

ways to bring in unprecedented voices
counter greenwashing
exchange ideas with industry and politicians

Headline image: Unsplash

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October 2023

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How can innovation help your back pain disappear?

Business Spirit News reporting — Thu, 30 Sep 2021 10:16:19 +0000

How can innovation help your back pain disappear?

Tags

Innovation

Responsible Innovation

Responsible Research and Innovation

Wellbeing

Smart Health

Topic

Innovation

Responsible Innovation

Smart Health

The concept of a Smart Chair to improve the health and wellbeing of office workers has been developed as part of a Responsible Research and Innovation project.

The pandemic and working from home have dramatically increased the time we sit on a chair and the number of people suffering from back and neck pains.

A Smart Chair helping you improve your posture and maintain good habits could be a solution to avoid the negative health implications of sitting while working.

As a part of the Living Innovation project, global digital services company ATOS worked on this problem, trying to find a solution with citizens, particularly Millenials and GenZ, experts and scientists.

“We held several Design Thinking workshops in Spain and remotely with Austrian young people to understand the real needs of these groups.

Then, experts in the company have analysed the results and tested ideas in a virtual innovation workshop,” says Lydia Montandon, Business Development Director at ATOS Research & Innovation group.

As a result, they developed the concept of a Smart Office Chair, which is expected to be ergonomically designed in line with the recommendations of therapists: it should provide good support for the back, while integrated sensors detect the incorrect postures and send information to the user.

Lydia Montandon, Business Development Director, ATOS Research & Innovation group

The company would need to cooperate with office furniture manufacturers and physicians or traumatologists to produce a Smart Chair that can meet these requirements.

“In the future, smart health will probably focus more on preventing illnesses or diseases, helping people to avoid bad habits and therefore enjoying better wellbeing and healthier lives. But, let me ask you: How do you feel about your back and neck today?”

adds Montandon.

Software developers would use AI technologies to analyse built-in sensor data and detect unhealthy patterns.

An app would serve as an interface for the users and alert them when unhealthy postures can be corrected.

The idea is that “correct” postures can progressively become normal and become a new habit for the user.

The interesting part is that this chair is designed to be “shareable”.

Once the sitting position has been improved for one person – or one employee in an organisation – the Smart Chair can be passed on to the next one.

Thus, the business model is based on the idea of health prevention benefiting both employees and organisations in the long term.

According to Lydia, the whole design process has been fascinating since they involved different stakeholders in the ideation process.

“It was an exciting experience to reach out to younger generations and experiment with co-innovation methodologies during the pandemic.

It requires a lot of effort, but the resulting value proposition is richer than what we could have been achieved with traditional methods,” she recalls.

So far, the product has not reached the market yet, but the design team expects that the involvement of all stakeholders in the first steps of the project design will enhance its adoption when the product is ready to be commercialised.

“The main barrier in embracing co-creation in product design is the time and investment needed to organise co-innovation activities involving a representative group of stakeholders, including citizens, experts, salespeople, organisers, facilitators, etc.

Another barrier is the innovative way of doing things, which is still not convincing to all interested parties. A lot of effort is needed to raise awareness about the benefits of this approach,” Montandon explains further.

Lydia believes that a change of mindset regarding designing and developing an innovative product is needed, alongside how you approach customers, involving them in the process rather than presenting a result.

One of the early achievements would be for her to see her colleagues complaints about their back pains and visits to the therapist disappear soon, and provide this relief for many other people in the near future.

To learn more about this and other Responsible Innovation projects join the 'Living in a smart future' session at the Responsible Innovation Summit virtual conference on 19-22 Ocotber.

Headline image: Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels

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September 2021

Social innovator to deliver a positive impact in Africa despite pandemic

Tia Clarke — Wed, 19 Aug 2020 16:54:34 +0000

Social innovator to deliver a positive impact in Africa despite pandemic

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Social Innovation

Responsible Innovation

Topic

Italian social entrepreneur on a mission to save infants lives' in Sub-Saharan Africa

Lucia Dal Negro, the founder of the Italian benefit corporation De-LAB, is on a mission to reduce the rate of infant mortality in Sub-Saharan Africa using an incredibly simple yet innovative solution - the KOKONO protective cradle. Lucia is a researcher focusing on Frugal Innovation in her studies and a social entrepreneur who is passionate about creating meaningful change in collaboration with locals in African regions.

According to plans, the protective cradle will be distributed in rural villages in Uganda first, as a solution for working parents to ensure that they can carry their babies to work and keep them safe - for example on the fields, or markets.

Lucia Dal Negro, researcher and social entrepreneur

It also protects babies against infections from mosquitos and suffocation whilst sleeping at night.

This product is not only bringing positive changes to people but made sustainably too using 70% locally sourced natural fibres and produced by local people.

Lucia and her team had to adjust to the new situation and challenges both in manufacturing and sales, presented by the COVID pandemic.

They are currently focusing on raising funds for a simplified version of the KOKONO cradle made of recycled plastic to make it more accessible for the vulnerable people who need it most.

KOKONO protective cradle

The transition from academia to business to create the KOKONO Cradle

" I started this project in the first place because I was extremely tired of listening to academics describing wonderful possibilities to do business by doing good in low-income communities without having ever tested any of their assumptions and hypotheses. So I decided to walk the talk of the ‘social business hype’ and do something practical, in order to learn from the field what was the real challenge of using business as a force for good.

Co-creating the KOKONO cradle with locals in Uganda

KOKONO’s mission is to protect babies below one year of age from the leading health and security threats to which they are exposed due to poor living conditions in South-Saharan Africa, more precisely in Uganda.

We decided to investigate this area of needs after spending many years studying and operating in the Global South, with De-LAB, realizing that childcare is mainly managed at a hospital level, wherever possible, but more rarely at a household level.

Based on our learnings, we started to design an object that could protect babies’ health from accidental hits and animal attacks, insects - including those transmitting malaria - rodents, reptiles.

We invented and patented a unique cradle, named KOKONO, which means empty pumpkin in Ugandan dialect.

It provides a safe space for taking care of infants during the day and night-time. We are offering a solution to parents, mainly women who are working far from home. One of the possible scenarios is when a mother is working on plantations or cultivating the cassava plant that after a couple of hours carrying her baby, she puts him/her down to the ground. That's where the babies are more exposed to sanitary and safety risks.

Designing for impact and usability

We needed to consider various factors in the design process. Like the shell had to be rigid enough so a snake cannot crack it, covered with a mosquito net with a self-sustaining handle which is made of rope and can be replaced very easily if needed.

We wanted mothers to be able to bring their baby with them wherever they are going and if necessary, leave the baby on the ground with a piece of mind that its safe.

Typically only one mosquito net is available for each family, so parents and all of their children usually sleep in one big bed protected by the single net in their household. Due to this situation, there are many cases of accidental baby suffocations at night-time.

Parents with a KOKONO can put the baby sleeping next to them in the cradle up until the child is one year old, giving better chances to survival in the most critical first 12 months. After that, the mothers can sell it, rent it, or pass it on to a friend.

One of the most rewarding highlights of the journey so far happened when we were co-creating the object with local communities in Hoima villages. A pregnant woman came to me saying that she was so happy to know that a new solution was about to be available in her village, but I had to be very fast as her baby was about to be born.

I think this was one of the best endorsements I could have ever received that we are creating something meaningful!

Adapting the business model to address Coronavirus pandemic related challenges

When the Covid crisis started, our venture was impacted greatly. 67% of Ugandan people lost their jobs due to the Covid-19 crisis. The international airport has been closed, and foreign investments are radically decreased.

The country is almost completely isolated with people being out of work which means that they are only getting poorer and poorer over time.

To get the first handcrafted version of KOKONO out is still our top priority and we will definitely want to keep it, but the production became too expensive in a post-Covid market.

Collaborating with local authorities to bring KOKONO to the market

We are determined not to give up on our original mission in helping locals keep their family safe, so we came up with a more cost-effective design which would still function well.

One thing I wanted to avoid is to let down these extremely poor people who were hit by this pandemic badly.

The new version of the cradle is made of recycled plastic with a simple design that is quick and easy to produce.

Although we need a plastic moulder to assemble it which requires investments, therefore we are setting up an online crowdfunding campaign to raise funds to start production.

Also, we have a zero-waste distribution model that means if the cradle becomes broken, it can be collected by our team and use it again.

Join our mission by becoming a supporter of KOKONO

I see KOKONO as a project, not just a product.

I believe that it has the power not just to help solve a specific social problem but to create a bridge between different cultures.

Image credit: Pexels

Taking care of babies is a universal experience for people regardless of where or how they live.

As part of our crowdfunding campaign, we want to encourage people to connect through sharing their traditional lullabies which we hope will serve as a reminder that children are our common future.

Contributors can choose a short refrain from a lullaby which we will engrave onto the side of the cradle. We aim to create a sort of cross cultural global embrace.

The crowdfunding campaign starts in November 2020, and people can donate any amounts to support the KOKONO project.

In the meantime, we are more than grateful to receive any support that could help to make KOKONO a reality for parents in Sub-Sharan Africa to protect their babies.

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August 2020

Women on a mission: Challenging business as usual

Anonymous — Wed, 10 Jun 2020 13:30:52 +0000

Women on a mission: Challenging business as usual

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Business

Branding

Responsible Innovation

entrepreneurship

Topic

Sustainable business

Social Innovation

Fighting the conventional to embed social, environmental values into business strategy.

Despite working in different fields, such as industry, academia, communication, three women have one thing in common. They are passionately working to create a new norm where embedding social, environmental values into business strategy will be part of business as usual. How do these strong female leaders are making change happen and influencing others too?

Sustainability in business

"I would probably describe myself as a corporate activist for sustainability, but I didn’t initially come down this route. I went to work in the traditional environmental sector, but once I became more aware of the climate challenge – both the scale and potential impact – and the role of business, I was hooked.

Since having children, I have become even more involved, worrying about their future, and selfishly about my own, as climate change is going to have an impact in my lifetime.

I have worked in corporate sustainability for over a decade. I spent several years as a sustainability manager for IKEA Ireland, which was an excellent opportunity to see and shape trends in this space.

I recently joined the team at SustainabilityWorks, a consultancy on a mission to help Ireland accelerate the transition to a sustainable economy. We are a unique team comprised of experts in sustainability strategy, finance, policy, innovation and communications. I really enjoy having the opportunity to support Irish businesses to make the necessary shift towards more sustain able business models.

It is exciting to be part of this change, I love the pace of innovation in this space. For me it’s all about looking beyond traditional business models based purely on profit and figuring out how a business can deliver more.

In my opinion this is not a question of if, it’s when! It’s not going to be a trend much longer, it is just going to be business as usual.

We have a lot to do in terms of educating leaders that this is not about sacrificing profit, and the importance of thinking long term rather than short term. To integrate sustainability into the core business, it has to start at the top with leadership commitment and creating an environment for employees where they can become part of the change. It has never made more sense for a business to act on sustainability.

All the questions we had earlier, like ‘is this the right time’ or ‘do people care’, are all answered.

There are two common misbeliefs regarding sustainability in business:

1. That you are conflicting with commerciality once you start talking about sustainability.

2. Thinking that sustainability can be a side project.

The biggest mistake to be made right now is to underestimate how much people care about this issue, how much they are looking for businesses to provide solutions, and how much longer are they willing to wait to see the changes that they demand.

There is a whole new generation of conscious consumers who are asking for this; employees are choosing workplaces that align with their values; investors are looking for additional information on environmental and social factors. All stakeholders are pushing businesses to drive climate action.

The quicker a business moves, the better they can leverage the benefits and opportunities of climate action. We have to understand that we have limited time left to make these changes, so a sense of urgency needs to come into the mix. We can all do something about it, and we need everyone to get involved, it is not just for people with sustainability in their title.

Embracing social innovation in education

"The traditional business model is to look for solutions that would be commercially viable to find a feasible gap in the market. However, if you are starting with a social, environmental challenge first and then finding out how to make the solution financially sustainable, you are in essence, creating a social enterprise. This can be more complex in terms of achieving goals on multiple levels (social, ethical, environmental), yet these ventures must also remain competitive against other more traditional business offers that are available on the market

It is vital that individual’s do not get caught up with praise when embarking on a social enterprise. I often notice that when people are presenting their idea about a social enterprise or purpose-driven business that they get a lot of acknowledgement. Of course, this can be justified as they are attempting to do something positive for a community.

Yet social entrepreneurs must continue with more probing questions like ‘That’s great that you liked our idea, but would you buy the product? Would you pay for it? Why? Why not?’

Especially in the beginning, when they are not actually on the market yet, the overwhelming feeling of being praised for their mission, might cloud their judgement and leave important business questions out of the equation.

There is a difference between “a customer should buy” and “a customer will buy”.

When I work with students who are passionate and have a clear vision with their socially driven idea for an enterprise, it is imperative that they base their project in reality. A robust feasibility study based on sound evidence and research helps to pre-empt any issues, test all assumptions and remove any entrepreneurial bias.

Sometimes I will advise them to allow an independent researcher lead a focus group or interview, someone who is not emotionally invested in the results. Being too close to it can affect how you will question and react, and will influence those who are providing their insights to you.

Distancing yourself from your idea can lead to crucial discoveries to address difficulties, which better reflects on reality. As a result, you have a better chance to achieve your goals.

Usually, value-driven companies start from a personal trigger moment and want to find a better way to deal with a particular challenge. To stimulate social enterprise within education, we allow students to explore social problems in a safe environment and provide experiences that would enable them to connect with these social groups or challenges.

Empathy is fundamental to build a solution that solves the real problem rather than just scratching the surface or dealing with misleading perceptions.

I am an ENACTUS faculty advisor, which is a global movement to inspire social innovation through entrepreneurial actions in third-level education. This programme helps to create a learning experience that inspires this empathy, critical thinking, and innovation irrespective of a student’s degree choices or intending career path.

I am always amazed by the ideas and solutions presented at the end of the programme. Homelessness the climate, mental health, the refugee crisis – these students put their hearts into creating robust, profit-making and viable social enterprise concepts that will help. Some even pursue their ideas and create real ventures.

I feel fortunate to work with them and see the shift in their thinking that will shape future workplaces and the world of business, including its ethos.

Marketing as a force for good

"Marketing is changing because the world is changing. The younger generation just thinks about brands and consumes in a different way which is challenging businesses to change too. Accessible and affordable sustainability products are becoming more of a trend on the market, and people are actively seeking out these alternative options as opposed to traditional offers.

One of the biggest barriers in the making that mainstream is that they are just not accessible to everybody.

To achieve a just transition to a more circular and net-zero carbon economy, we need to think about solutions that are available to all.

New businesses are more likely to put purpose in their core right from the ‘get-go’ phase and build a connection with their consumers from there. For existing businesses, especially for more prominent brands, it’s a challenge to find an authentic voice. Even when young people start seeing businesses shift, they don’t always trust it right away.

Greenwashing or the perception of greenwashing is something that these companies have to overcome at the first place.

It’s not just about changing for the better and doing good – being able to communicate this effectively to people is crucial.

Communication enables people to make a purchase decision based on values or purpose – and also puts pressure on competitors to do the right thing too.

It is evident by now that the days of 100 page CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) reports are gone. You need to make sure that your stakeholders are engaging with the content that you are producing. It has to be attractive – even fun – and easy to digest. The element of fun in social mission might be surprising, but it is a great way to get people involved.

Brand activism is something that we do a lot to raise awareness and connect global issues with a brand. We did a campaign for the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream brand where we created ice sculptures of politicians at public spaces, using a motto ‘if it’s melted it’s ruined’. The link between climate justice and the brand manifested in a way that made it easy to get the attention of their audience.

For new businesses, once the purpose is at the core, it will guide everything they do. A strong purpose will fuel a more impactful, trustworthy and authentic communication.

Personally, I think that this mindset could be the next norm in creating better businesses: take a step back, look around to identify social, environmental issues and find a way to tackle those by creating a financially viable organisation.

When we started to work with Tony’s Chocolonely, it already had a powerful social mission to make a chocolate that is 100% slave-free. The brand was built by journalists who saw the dark side of the chocolate supply chain – including child labour and modern slavery. They decided to start an experiment to see if they could make a slave-free chocolate bar, which led to start a business and build a brand to raise awareness.

In this case, it was creating profit from the purpose and not the other way round, which I think is inspirational for start-ups.

Marketing, for me, is about finding out why we do certain things! I studied philosophy in college, and it fascinates me how much it matters to raise the question of ‘why’ before we do anything. It inspires me to look at the world differently.

I thought a lot about walking away from the corporate world, but then I realised that probably I could have a more significant impact from the inside by working with businesses.

I believe that a brighter future lays before us if we are willing to question certain things and go through an ideology shift. We need to change people, culture, and why we create a business in the first place with the focus on what its function in society. I definitely suffer from eco-anxiety about what’s happening in the world with climate change, loss of habitats and the uncertainty of the next few decades.

With my work at the THINKHOUSE youth marketing agency, I feel like I’m doing something about it and face these challenges front on. I don’t want to sleepwalk through this crisis that we are in and ignore it. I want to have an impact on what is happening and be able to look back on my life and see that I did what I could.

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June 2020

What does it take to run a value-driven business for more than 20 years?

Szilvia Szabó — Tue, 19 May 2020 16:23:46 +0000

What does it take to run a value-driven business for more than 20 years?

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Responsible Innovation

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Positive Impact

Where science and art meet: A Place For Penguins

Szilvia Szabó — Wed, 29 Jan 2020 15:40:44 +0000

Where science and art meet: A Place For Penguins

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Responsible Innovation

UNDP launches new Ocean Innovation Challenge

Szilvia Szabó — Mon, 20 Jan 2020 16:43:21 +0000

UNDP launches new Ocean Innovation Challenge

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SDGs

Ocean

Responsible Innovation

Topic

Funding

Open Call

Blue Economy

Financing Innovation for Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14 - Life under water

The ocean ecosystem has never faced such a diverse range of threats caused by overfishing, pollution, habitat loss and the multiple impacts of climate change.

Recognising the increasing urgency of tackling ocean pollution, particularly from plastics and nutrients, the first of several planned Ocean Innovation Challenge focuses on SDG 14.1- Reduce Marine Pollution. This open call seeks innovations that are transferable, replicable and scalable offering grants ranging from $50,000 to $250,000.

“To achieve SDG14, we must break new ground with innovative technologies, policies, regulations and financial instruments. In this regard, the new UNDP Ocean Innovation Challenge is a most welcome addition to the growing number of ocean incubators and accelerators.” says Peter Thomson, UN Secretary General’s Special Envoy on Oceans.

That is clear by now that the `business as usual` scenario will not deliver the transformational change needed to move towards sustainable ocean use.

The Ocean Innovation Challenge is issuing a series of 'Ocean Challenges' or Requests for Proposals, each focused on a specific SDG14 target.

This unique new support has been designed to accelerate progress on SDG14 by the identifying, financing, advising and mentoring of genuinely innovative, entrepreneurial and creative approaches to the ocean and coastal restoration and protection that sustains livelihoods and advances the ’blue economy’.

“At a time when the world’s oceans and seas face unprecedented pressures, UNDP’s new Ocean Innovation Challenge will shine a light on innovative, entrepreneurial and creative approaches that can advance ocean and coastal restoration and protection,” says Achim Steiner, UNDP Administrator.

The first 'Ocean Challenge', launched on 8 January 2020, seeks innovative solutions to counter the scourge of ocean pollution.

Initial concepts may be submitted by public or private entities, including governments, private companies (including start-ups), NGO/CSO, United Nations entities, academic institutions, and intergovernmental organizations.

Interested applicants should submit their preliminary proposal here no later than 5 March 2020.

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January 2020

Social Innovation towards Sustainability: Embracing Contemporary Challenges for Regional Development

Szilvia Szabó — Thu, 09 Jan 2020 14:28:20 +0000

Social Innovation towards Sustainability: Embracing Contemporary Challenges for Regional Development

Tags

Responsible Innovation

Sustainability

Social Innovation

Date

16th April 2020

Venue

Faro, Portugal

Call for papers: Social Innovation Towards Sustainability workshop - Faro, Portugal

The Portuguese section of European Regional Science Association (ERSA) invites you to participate to the 25th APDR workshop “Social Innovation Towards Sustainability: Embracing Contemporary Challenges for Regional Development”.

This event intends to promote an inter-sector dialogue among researchers, activists, local, regional and national policy-makers, associations, non-governmental organizations, practitioners of social innovation and social entrepreneurs.

The workshop is organized by APDR – Portuguese Association for Regional Development and CES – Centre for Social Studies of the University of Coimbra.

Call for papers

The Local Organising Committee invites researchers, activists, public officials and social entrepreneurs to submit proposals for contributions to the workshop. Submissions might be based on formal research or on concrete activist, community or public policy initiatives.

The workshop is particularly interested in proposals related to these thematic fields:

On innovation: studies, reflections and examples about innovation (s) that, particularly, are concerned to emphasize sustainability and regional development, such as social innovation, grassroots innovation, transformative innovation, among others;
On transformation: studies, reflections and examples focused on sustainability transitions, multi-level perspective, transferability and scaling-up, and their relationships with innovation and regional development;
Doing It: Examples of real-world practices in developing innovative practices that address social and environmental needs, such as sustainable intentional communities (ecovillages), smart-cities, eco-cities, cities in transition, transition movements, living laboratories, NGOs, territorial and local development agencies, public policies, among others, that may instigate regional development.

Abstracts Submission Deadline: 31 January 2020

Social Innovation towards Sustainability - Workshop - Faro, Portugal

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From school project to multi-award winning business

Szilvia Szabó — Fri, 08 Nov 2019 10:50:28 +0000

From school project to multi-award winning business

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Business

Responsible Innovation

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Business

Awards

Irish company is paving the way for startups to drive positive change.

Is it too ambitious for a startup to drive positive change and make a profit at the same time? Lizzy Hayashida and Willie Conaghan are on a mission to build a community of everyday philanthropists, donating one cent at a time to not-for-profits across the globe. The platform is easy to use: each time you pay by card, it will round up your purchase to the nearest euro and donate your spare change to the charities of your choice.

In reality, they are changing so much more than the way we donate.

More than a school project

Lizzy: Change Donations started as a school project, and we were lucky to have lots of help which allowed us to get as far as we are today. When we first set out, we had big ambitions, and we knew we really wanted to make an impact.

It still feels a bit surreal and hard to believe that this time in 2018, we were finishing up our MBA course at Trinity College in Dublin and starting the LaunchBox accelerator program.

We spent the whole summer working on the platform. We talked to as many people as we could, refined our presentation and developed our MVP, all while finishing the MBA. It was a lot of hard work and such a team effort which allowed us to go on to win the LaunchBox program. I wish someone had taken a picture of the shock on all of our faces!

It was a great moment, and I think that gave us the confidence to really push forward with the platform. We realized that we actually have the chance to create something that both donors and charities needed. That was such a liberating feeling.

Willie: .Just before Christmas 2017, we decided that this idea had legs and we wanted to run with it. There wasn't really any doubt about committing to the idea. It was mainly a discussion about the best steps to make it happen.

Business model built on everyday philanthropy

Willie: I have always been incredibly passionate about giving back and wanted to find a career path that I believed in. I had gone through 8 years of Jesuit education, so the prayer for generosity has been drilled into my head for a while now.

We all know that profit is necessary, and you have to have a sustainable business model to continue to operate. Still I think the public sector is finally pushing back and forcing companies to think beyond their bottom line.

We’re committed to building a community of everyday philanthropists, empowering people to make a positive impact on their community through their daily spending.

Lizzy: We’re lucky to live in a time where there’s a growing trend toward making a profit with purpose.

For us, it was more a case of figuring out how we could create a sustainable business from our purpose vs how to make more than just a profit.

We’ve had so many learnings so far. One of the biggest for me has been the importance of clear communication; not just with each other, but in general: letting friends, family, charities and donors know what we’re working on and what we’re struggling with.

It was talking to the charities that convinced us that there was a real need.

The more open we are, the more manageable things become, and it’s been a pleasant surprise to see how ready and willing people are to help.

Willie: We are Americans, and I believe that we are conditioned to think that asking for help is a sign of weakness. Therefore we have a tough time admitting when we need a hand.

The biggest learning from the past two years is: ask for help.

The startup life is lonely enough as it is, so seeks out all of the help you can get. There are so many organizations, government bodies, and public support systems that offer support.

Winning the Business SPIRIT Award in 2018 was one of the first steps to start showing what we've been working on.

My favourite memory is probably winning the Ones2Watch pitching competition at the Futurescope conference in 2019, Dublin. There were so many great teams with incredible businesses, and we were just happy to be talked about in the same breath as them. Our traction and public profile started to pick up after that, and it gave us some positive momentum.

Everyday challenges

Willie: Everything is moving incredibly fast, we are working around the clock and there aren’t enough hours in the day. However, we love the energy and excitement that the public has shown us, and we are so thankful for the support we have been given from various organizations.

I tend to stay pretty even keel on an emotional level, so I take the victory and defeat with virtually the same attitude. One of my favourite sayings is “this too shall pass” which tends to be a quote used by many to get through tough times.

For me, it’s a good reminder that the nature of a startup is extremely volatile, and I need to regulate my state of mind to make sure that I don't lose focus.

Lizzy: About this time last year, we built a 5-year roadmap which helped us understand where we were and where we wanted to be. From there, we were able to work backwards, marking out milestones to help us get there.

Of course, many things have changed since we laid out our first version of that roadmap.

As a team of two, it’s easy enough just to talk through anything we need help on, but there also aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done, so we have to divide and conquer the tasks.

Sometimes it can be frustrating when things take longer than expected, but that’s part of being a startup. Overall, having a plan has helped us set goals and prioritize (and reprioritize) with those goals in mind.

It’s natural to have disagreements, but that really comes down to communication and respect. As long as you have those two things, you can talk through anything until you come to an agreement or compromise.

Overcoming barriers

Lizzy: We’ve put everything into building Change Donations, and we think it has the potential to make a massive impact on amazing causes all around the world.

We’ve definitely jumped in 100% still running a startup can be quite scary at times. I’m lucky to have a great support system both locally and abroad. I’ve learned to lean on them when I need to talk through a problem, frustration, or celebrate a big or small win.

My biggest fear is that we’ll fall short of our goal to make the impact for our charities and donors.

Talking to both charities and donors as often as possible helps us continuously improve and build with our partners in mind. It’s also been a great motivator to hear feedback on the impact we have the potential to make.

Willie: Lately, I have had a bit of a rollercoaster in my personal life. I had been unknowingly battling walking pneumonia from January to April. By the end of April, I lost both of my grandparents which made Ireland feel a lot further away from home than it actually was. It just reinforced the importance of family.

Inspiration and self-care

Willie: Courage in the face of uncertainty inspires me a lot.

I don't like people going against the grain just for the sake of rebelling, but when you see someone who actually believes in what they're doing, and they gracefully dismiss the doubts and judgements of others, I find that to be powerful.

My three role models are Jane Goodall, Paul Farmer, and Jim Kim.

Lizzy: One of the most inspiring things to me is seeing the big ideas that young people are putting into action before they’re even out of high school.

I'm passionate about what we're working on, and I don’t think you can ever fully switch off once you start your own business. However, it is vital to get away and sometimes. I’ve found that these are the times when great ideas will pop into your head!

My switch-off time is when I’m running or doing anything physically active. I wasn’t great about it last year, so this year I signed up for a few races.

Willie: It doesn't take too long for me to recharge: sitting outside, getting some fresh air, and just taking a break from screens help a lot.

In a typical 9-5 workplace you get the weekends off, but with a startup, your business is always on your mind, so you have to find your weekends in 15-minute increments -sometimes a cup of tea and a fun conversation are enough.

I bike to work every day, which has been a great way to decompress, but after a tough week, I make sure I get outside and recharge.

How to keep the momentum going?

Willie: I expect us to be fully operational in Ireland, the US, the UK, and Canada in the next five years, and looking to expand into other markets.

Most of our decisions and growth plans are dependent on funding, so if we get the funding we need our next move will be into the US. We have about 20 schools in the US interested in using our platform, so it is a natural progression for us.

Lizzy: Every great company starts with the team, and we’re putting in a lot of work to build an amazing team who has the same vision as we do: create the easiest, most flexible way to donate what you can in Ireland, the US and the UK.

We’re starting to look at new opportunities to bring on additional partners like retailers and big corporations to help them create and expand their donation options to employees and shoppers.

At Change Donations we are always looking for ways to improve our solution and support more charities. Feel free to give feedback or recommend a charity to add to the platform.

Check out our work and join the community of everyday philanthropists!

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November 2019