info@fountain.lk
EcoSpera ’24
Sustainable Innovation Exhibition & Competition
“Spark Hope, Sustain Nature”
Overview
EcoSpera ’24 is a groundbreaking competition organized by the FOUNTAIN team at the University of Peradeniya, part of the 15th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment 2024, also known as ‘The Kandy Conference.’ This competition aims to discover global talents and showcase the best sustainable, innovative, and green solutions. It highlights cutting-edge ideas and features diverse participants dedicated to shaping a better, sustainable future.
Theme
EcoSpera ’24 focuses on identifying and promoting innovative, sustainable, and green products under the following four categories:
- Sustainable Agriculture and Food: Innovations to improve food production, reduce waste, promote organic farming, and enhance sustainable resource management.
- Green Building and Eco-Friendly Construction Materials: Solutions involving eco-friendly materials, energy-efficient designs, and sustainable urban planning to minimize environmental impact.
- Eco-Friendly Materials and Packaging: Sustainable packaging alternatives, such as plant-based plastics, reusable containers, or compostable materials that promote a circular economy.
- Clean Energy Technologies: Innovations in solar panels, wind turbines, energy storage systems, and bioenergy solutions aimed at reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
Competition Categories
Category | Description |
EcoSpera Champion | Judged by a panel of experts who will visit the exhibition place and evaluate each product based on sustainability and innovation. |
EcoStar: The People’s Favorite | Voted by physical participants, including local and foreign authors, session chairs, invited guests, and attendees, to determine the most popular product. |
Objectives
- To Identify and Promote: The best sustainable, innovative, and green products will be identified and evaluated by the judge panel, resulting in the EcoSpera Champion.
- To Foster Interaction: Providing networking opportunities between participants, professors, practitioners, and industry representatives through the EcoStar: The People’s Favorite voting.
- To Encourage Practical Application: Exhibitors will demonstrate how learned concepts have been applied to create innovative solutions that contribute to sustainability.
Impact & Benefits
- Open Participation: Available to all conference attendees.
- Environmental Awareness: Promotes the importance of sustainability and eco-consciousness.
- Educational Opportunities: Facilitates networking with academic and industry professionals, providing early exposure to sustainability challenges.
- Hands-On Experience: Opportunities for participants to visit relevant sites and laboratories for practical insights.
- Real-World Application: Allows participants to apply knowledge to create tangible, innovative solutions.
Prizes
- EcoSpera Champion: Certificate + [Cash Prize]
- EcoStar: The People’s Favorite: Certificate + [Cash Prize]
- Participation: All participants will receive a Certificate of Participation.
Application
- Link: https://forms.gle/6gsZ7c4mtGzrHf7k8
- Deadline: 25 October 2024
- Submission Format: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT) with no slide limit. Ensure to list all group members and their affiliations if applying as a team.
- Format: PowerPoint Presentation (PPT)
- Team Details: If submitting as a team, include the names and affiliations of all members.
Eligibility
- Who Can Apply:
- No age limit
- Open to undergraduates, recent graduates, college students, representatives from industries, and young innovators.
- Team Size: Up to 10 members, with cross-field participation encouraged.
- Registration Fee: No submission/registration fee.
Review Process
Only selected proposals from the preliminary round will be invited to exhibit and participate at the Kandy Conference. Participants must attend the conference physically.
Judging Criteria
Criteria | Weightage | Assessment Focus |
Sustainability & Resource Efficiency | 35% | Does the product minimize waste, use renewable resources, or promote long-term ecological balance? |
Market Potential & Scalability | 25% | Can the product be adopted on a large scale? How easily can it be scaled for mass production or wider distribution? |
User-Friendliness & Accessibility | 20% | How easy is the product to use, and how accessible is it to a wide range of users, including those in developing regions? |
Social Impact & Community Engagement | 20% | How does the product improve quality of life, create jobs, or engage local communities in promoting sustainable practices? |
Finalist Presentation
- Date: Sunday, December 22, 2024
- Venue: Earls Regency, Kandy Conference (Indoor Exhibition Area)
- Presentation Time: 5 minutes
- Q&A Session: 10 minutes
- Judging Panel: Comprised of both local and international experts.
- Shortlisted Teams: Only shortlisted teams will present their products. Other participants can view the session online via Zoom.
- Team Attendance: Only two members per group can present in person. Other team members may join via Zoom.
For more info contact:
Ms. Sadeesha Senanayake | Research Assistant | UOP
Contact: +94 701249883
Email: fountain@eng.pdn.ac.lk
Mr. P.R.B. Wimukthi Dhananjaya | Conference Secretary | The Kandy Conference
Contact: +94 714640507
