Innovators. Entrepreneurs. Global Citizens.

Over the past six years, 130 binational teams, over 227 faculty and more than 2,830 students from the US, Jordan and Iraq have competed in the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge since September 2018. Their goal: Remix their community with sustainable business by designing the best sustainable concept to a need within a specific industry. Cohorts have focused on the hospitality industry, the food industry, the arts and entertainment industry and the technology industry.

Teams investigated the impact of problems in their local communities, collaborated globally through virtual exchange, and developed real-life solutions through creation of a sustainable business concept.  

The challenge is supported by the Stevens Initiative, which is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with funding provided by the U.S. Government, and is administered by the Aspen Institute. It is also supported by the Bezos Family Foundation and the governments of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates. Learn more about the Stevens Initiative.

Fall 2022 Cohort VII Finalists   

During the Fall 2022 Cohort VII, thirteen binational teams, 61 faculty, and 235 students from the US, Jordan and Iraq competed in the Global Solutions Sustainability Challenge. Their goal: Create the best business concept to meet a need in their community related to four of the UN Sustainable Development Goals: Affordable and Clean Energy, Sustainable Cities & Communities, Responsible Consumption & Production, and Climate Change.     

All teams investigated the impact of problems in their local communities collaborated globally and developed real-life solutions through the creation of sustainable business concepts.
 
The top five teams pitched their concept at the Virtual Global Business Expo. 

 

First Place: Environment Eagles

Lone Star College (Texas, US)  

Duhok Polytechnic University (Duhok, Iraq)

Solution: A redistribution and repurposing system through a website to provide free access to both Kurdistan and American consumers, and immigrant/emigrant consumers in both nations who need items. 

Second Place:   Black Iris   

University of San Francisco (California, US)  

Khawarizmi University Technical College (Amman, Jordan)

Solution: An app and smart trash bin that supports people in Amman and San Francisco who want to keep their city streets clean by incentivizing proper trash disposal and participating in community beautification initiatives.

Third Place: GS 323643-77 

University of Rochester (New York, US)  

Middle East University (Amman, Jordan)

Solution: A solar charging station that encourages people to use public transportation by providing a space to charge their electronic devices.

 

 

Contact

Contact Information Email: globalsolutions@irex.org