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Global Good stars of the future: meet our 2018 ‘Ones To Watch’ who are creating global change.
The Global Good Awards celebrates organisations and initiatives, of all shapes and sizes, that are working to create a better world: making positive social and environmental change, whilst also driving growth in the global economy.
This year we saw an exceptional amount of entries that showed massive potential across so many areas of sustainability and social impact, but were still relatively young projects, and didn’t have the necessary measured impact to meet the full criteria.
We are sure that we’ll be seeing them again in the not-too-distant future – which is why they are our ‘ones to watch’!
These 5 entries could have a huge impact on how we live our lives in future years. They’re each tackling a problem that affects people all around the world, and doing so in a way that can be scaled up or shared across global sectors, industries or interconnected communities…
Best International Sustainable Community this year gave us The Shoe that Grows: This project builds on the knowledge that with shoes, kids are more healthy, attend school more often, and are more confident. The Shoe That Grows has created footwear for children that multiplies these positive impacts through its ability to expand 5 sizes, and therefore last for additional years. This simple but effective product has been developed by Because International.
The panel were really impressed by the engagement and awareness-raising aspects of this creative idea. The product delivers immediate results, in a way that’s sustainable and empowers local communities.
While the relatively informal growth of this project has so far been by word of mouth, it’s clear that the search for new manufacturing opportunities could increase capacity enough to scale-up and spread the word fast, particularly if the project can engage larger partner organisations such as NGO’s. Having a better understanding of the true outcomes of this product a year or two down the line will really demonstrate the impact it’s having, and make it a GGA winner for sure.
Staying in the Best International Sustainable Community, another project with huge potential for global impact, the UK based Binti: a charity with a mission to provide menstrual dignity to all girls, all over the world. They facilitate access to pads to ensure menstrual hygiene; educating girls about what menstruation is and what they can expect from it; dispelling stigma, taboos, myths and negative perceptions around menstruation. This charity is as much about awareness and education as it is about providing an affordable and much needed product.
Based in the UK, and already running projects in India, Kenya, Swaziland and the US, we felt that this charity boldly tackles a clear need, one which is still often poorly understood. The judges agree that working with a subject like health and menstruation takes a certain level of innovation, just to meet the basic need. The approach, straddling both education and distribution, has a clear benefit to the community and individuals engaged.
We can see how the model, when fully established, will be self-sustaining; the production of cheap sanitary products will create profits which can be re-invested back into the project, and over time, if need still exists, this can only continue to grow. Mark our words, this project is going to have a great impact as it grows.
Sustainable Supply Chain may seem like a blue sky concept in this day and age, but we’re always pleasantly surprised by the number of organisations doing their bit to make it an exciting and credible category.
This year we heard from Cred Jewellery, an ethical brand that supports and works with local mining communities in Africa, pioneering responsible trading practices to produce 100% Fairtrade jewellery.
The focus on improving core business practices and sustainability is at the heart of what Cred does, and this is proven by their engagement with Fairtrade and the provision of a guaranteed market for mines. The judges felt that this approach gives the product both longevity and commercial viability, but, most impressively, could stimulate a market demand for more of the same.
The ‘mine-to-market’ approach tackles a multitude of supply chain issues; doubling income for miners, reducing the use of child labour and protecting nature. The judges agree: There’s a demand for this sort of business model, and the size of the potential market is so immense as to make this a very exciting first ‘pilot’ step.
In the Best Sustainable Transport category, we saw Riding Sunbeams: A feasibility and research report from 10:10, in partnership with Imperial College and Innovate UK.
The team have invented a clever bit of tech that means you can plug solar panels directly into the railway to power trains, and the report looks at the long-term feasibility of implementing and rolling out this technology around the world.
While the judges acknowledged that this project is only at concept phase, they all agree that it clearly has the potential to be amazing; world changing in fact.
The report is grounded in the long-term thinking and innovation potential of the technology, with sustainability at its heart. There’s great potential impact from Riding Sunbeams outside of the U.K., including the U.S., India and Spain, and we can’t wait to find out how they plan to test and communicate their findings going forward.
In the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle | Circular Economy we saw MacRebur’s idea for revolutionising our roads with a high performance, asphalt binder additive made from 100% waste materials. Plastic Roads have been specifically designed to improve the strength and durability of asphalt whilst reducing the quantity of bitumen required for surfacing our roads.
It’s a great product and innovative solution focused on end of use. The success, and resulting coverage are impressive, and it’s clear to us that the company have had to educate the supply chain both ways to win support. And so far, it seems to be working.
Sustainability is at the core of this product, and following great early results, we’re excited to see how it will prove its viability as the business grows.
Check into the GGA Good Stuff pages for the rest of our 2018 ones to watch and read all about our 2018 winners, here >>
Interesting in entering the Global Good Awards in 2019?
It’s not too early to register your interest in entering for 2019. Entries open on 1st December but if you’re registered with us, we can update you on categories, criteria and dates.
Anyone wishing to be part of the Global Good revolution and this unique awards programme can contact Founder, Karen Sutton: karen@GlobalGoodAwards.co.uk
