Innovation Challenge
Bright Futures, Bold Solutions: An Innovation Challenge to End the HIV Epidemic
Are you ready to harness the power of technology and creativity to revolutionize HIV prevention, treatment, and care? We're launching a global innovation challenge for young people ages 18-29 to design tech-based, youth-centered solutions that address the core barriers to prevention, treatment, and care that impact young people living with and affected by HIV. Globally, young people are disproportionately affected by HIV. Recent studies show that one in five new HIV diagnoses are among youth, with Black and Latinx queer youth experiencing the highest rates of new diagnoses.
Our Innovation Challenge goal is to meet young people where they are by supporting bold youth-led and youth-centered solutions inspired by the “Lessons Learned” insights from ViiV Healthcare’s Positive Action for Youth impact report, Our Own North Stars: Supporting the Next Generation of Leaders.
We challenge you to create an innovative digital idea to address the core barriers impacting young people living with and affected by HIV. The winner will receive $5,000 USD in seed funding, plus support and mentorship from ETR, to bring their idea into reality.
Need a little kickstart to get those ideas flowing? You can:
- Use an existing online community or communications platform.
- Develop a new app, chatbot, game, or website.
- Check out ViiV’s Our Own North Stars Report to inspire your plans.
- Watch ETR & ViiV’s 3 in 30 Webinar on Supporting Youth-Centered Solutions in HIV Prevention, Treatment, and Care.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Teams of 1 to 5 people – groups are encouraged!
- All team members must be ages 18-29 at the time of application.
- Video Submission: along with a short online application, each team will submit a 3–5-minute video to pitch your idea to our panel of expert judges.
Your video should:
- Introduce all team members (as a group or sequentially).
- Describe your proposed digital idea and what makes it innovative – in other words, what is different about it compared to what already exists?
- Share how this innovation meets the challenges youth in your community face when addressing HIV prevention, treatment, and care.
- Explain how you plan to utilize your funds if you win the challenge!
- Be submitted in English. The content for the innovation itself can be in any language.
When creating your digital innovation, please consider the following:
- Digital Divide: The digital divide refers to the distinction between those who have the access and skills to use information and communication technology (ICT) products and services, and those who are excluded. The digital divide can occur across differences in race, gender, age, education, income, social group, geographic location and/or any other identity marker that impacts young people’s experiences of the world.
- Gender Equity: Digital platforms can promote positive gender norms and gender equity, as well as help groups marginalized by systems of power and oppression find safety and community. However, these same platforms can also exacerbate gender inequities and fuel discrimination and marginalization, particularly against young people who identify as women or feminine.
- Safety & Protection: Digital platforms should apply methods to protect users from harm and ensure anonymity and confidentiality. Young people also need support to critically assess digital content and develop digital literacy, so that when they are online, they can find accurate content, avoid harm and use appropriate reporting and help-seeking measures when needed.
Have questions? Contact us at ythlive@etr.org!
