On 2 November 2015, the Orange Foundation launched the kick-off of the 1st Solidarity FabLabs International Challenge, which will take place until the end of January 2016, the final date for application submission.
The competition - a first in France and in 8 other countries - is open to the 32 FabLabs supported by the Foundation.
Young FabLab makers are challenged to set-up digital projects - a solution, an application or a 3D object - to reinvent daily life in their city of the future. Goal: to put the spotlight on a totally new way of learning and provide young people with a springboard.
The challenge: to make the city smarter and more collective
The “I make 4 my city” Challenge will be a showcase of all that these young people are able to create with digital technology, through collaborative supervision and a support network adapted to their needs. The challenge is aimed at young people in Solidarity FabLabs: aged 12 to 25 years, who are unemployed and are in programs to learn digital skills. This is the first time in France and abroad that they will be given such a great opportunity to show-off their know-how.
Participants must invent and create an object, a prototype, an application or a solution to improve the daily lives of the inhabitants of their city.
The young "makers" must work in a team, with the usual FabLabs tools: 3D printers, laser cutter, vinyl cutter, digital sewing machine, milling machine, thermoforming, specialist software and other more traditional tools.
The Foundation’s Jury and an online vote will reward the most exciting project, for its creativity, its relevance or for the solidarity links it will have enabled.
Three prizes will be awarded in April 2016, each of a sum of €15,000: the Jury’s Grand Award, the "Favourite" Award and the Online vote Award.
A passion for digital technology, a new chance for young people in difficulty
Brigitte Audy, Orange Foundation General Secretary since July 2014, sees in this creative Challenge a new stage in the Social Labs sector: "by organising this challenge, we hope above all to give another chance to these young people in difficulty, by highlighting their passion and increasing their chance for recognition and integration in the professional world. We know the digital ecosystem well, and what it can offer them: new skills, new occupations and business creation... They must also be motivated with a positive approach and concrete projects. Our Solidarity FabLabs are a gateway between these young people aged 12 to 25 years who are at odds with traditional teaching methods, and special programmes based on doing
and sharing."
