Five Winning Ideas Emerge at Miyaheli Social Innovation Camp 2021

Miyaheli Social Innovation Camp 2021 has concluded in Thulusdhoo last weekend. Together with over 30 youth participants along with mentors, innovative ideas themed around ‘Innovation for People, Planet and Prosperity’ were seen at the camp. 

 
Out of the 10 proposed ideas, 5 were picked as winners by a panel of judges and awarded seed funding and mentorship in accordance with their proposed budget and requirements to refine and bring the ideas to life. 
1st place went to both HIVVARU - a platform for freelancers to showcase services and for customers to access them; and ASHI - a marketplace for artistes to provide them with rightful opportunities and means to a dependable income  2nd place went to HUNARUVESHI - a platform to help level up professional skills for employment in the local tourism sector   3rd place went to IRUVAI - providing easy and affordable Renewable Energy sources for the public, and   4th place went to FEHIKAANAA - building healthier communities by connecting them with healthier meals   
Miyaheli provides resources and a platform for youth to involve in a democratic life and in civic affairs and social change. By bringing together like-minded people, leading youth are encouraged to foster social entrepreneurship and address pressing social issues in the Maldives. The change will then be brought about from the grassroots up, allowing young people the opportunity to turn their ideas for social good into reality. 

 
“In recognizing this and seeking further opportunities to build youth entrepreneurship and inclusivity, UNDP stands with partners to continue tackling the challenges, bringing such efforts to promote youth-led entrepreneurship and social innovation straight across the islands on a national scale,” said Enrico Gaveglia, UNDP Resident Representative, thanking partners for the support, and participants for their solutions, and alluded to the contributions of the social innovation camps towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goals. 

 
Speaking on the importance of youth involvement in addressing the challenges in their communities, Noora Zahir, Manager Brand and Marcomms, Ooredoo Maldives said, “Miyaheli aims to unleash the creativity and innovation of young people in creating fresh new solutions to societal problems. We are happy to see some brilliant ideas from this year's teams as well. Our warmest congratulations to the winning teams and we look forward to seeing their ideas come to life.”  
 
Together with Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in the Maldives and Ooredoo Maldives, this year’s camp was organized in partnership with Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment, and Business Center Corporation. The generous support from Government of Australia and the European Union are notable.