Dilmah Ecovation Awards 2021 open for this year

In the backdrop of COVID-19 and the race towards limiting global warming to 1.5-degree Celsius, the world needs sustainable ideas and inventions to solve its looming problems. In this context, Dilmah has brought back Ecovation awards for its second run. Themed “Sustainable Environmentally-friendly Packaging and Resource Efficiency”, Ecovation 2021 focuses on generating solutions for sustainable packaging, resource efficiency, and waste management, the company said in a media release.

Ecovation 2021 Awards present the perfect opportunity for anyone with a non-mainstream eco-innovation concept or working prototype to gain financial support and resources to take their innovation from concept to market or further develop their prototype into a commercial product. They will further receive legal support to protect their intellectual property. Another bonus is that winners will have an opportunity to introduce their innovations and ideas to the patron and general members of Biodiversity Sri Lanka (BSL), comprising blue-chip companies in the hopes of finding potential investors. The overall prizes of the awards are valued at over Rs. 2 million. Due to COVID-19, the award rounds will take place in a virtual format.

Submissions are open to anyone with a passion for sustainability and resource efficiency – including schoolchildren, undergraduates, postgraduates, grassroots organisations, academics, scientists, artists and designers.

Short-listed applicants will be given two months to build their prototype or present their concept. The final stage of Ecovation 2021 is slated for December and will be an exhibition where the winners will be chosen by an eminent judging panel. The panel comprises Dr. Ilmi Hewajulige, Additional Director, R&D ITI; Ms. Padma Abeykoon, Director, Operational Focal Point Biodiversity Secretariat, Ministry of Environment; Jeevan Gnanam, Founder/Group CEO of Saksglobal; Ms. Savera Weerasinghe, Ms. S. Yasarathne and Prof. A. de Alwis.

The Ecovation award was first launched in 2016. This inaugural event showcased many Sri Lankan innovators. The top award recipients were B. G. Harsha Abeywardana (prototype winner) and K. K. L. Madusanka (concept winner). The former created a prototype of an eco-friendly method of using tea refuse from tea factories to produce items such as paper, cardboard, brick, pots, etc. The latter conceptualised a purified tank to clean invasive plant species infested waters. Category award winners were also chosen under blue economy, waste, water, and energy.

Ecovation Awards, a platform where budding eco-innovators can be empowered and recognised, is the brainchild of Dilmah founder Merrill J. Fernando.