The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) in Singapore has launched an initiative through its Open Innovation Platform (OIP) to address challenges arising from COVID-19 and beyond. Established in 2018, the OIP helps companies source creative ideas, expertise, and resources to meet their innovation and business needs, fostering the development of novel digital solutions.

This Innovation Call, themed “COVID-19 & Beyond – Innovation for Social Good”, aims to find solutions for issues faced by vulnerable individuals and businesses in Singapore. IMDA and its partners hope to inspire the use of digital technology to solve problems related to the pandemic.

Some examples include improving food distribution to disadvantaged households, developing efficient worker testing methods with minimal business disruption, and improving access to resources for migrant workers.

IMDA Chief Executive, Tan Kiat How, emphasized the significant and lasting impact of COVID-19, particularly on vulnerable communities. He highlighted the initiative as a call to action for innovators to collaboratively find solutions and adapt to a post-pandemic world.

Melissa Kwee, CEO of the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), emphasized how crises often highlight societal strengths and weaknesses. She believes that social innovation can drive community collaboration to address unmet needs, rethink solutions, and create a more inclusive society.

The OIP will present six challenges focused on problems exacerbated by COVID-19, with a total of S$90,000 in prize money. To encourage participation, IMDA will contribute 70% of each challenge’s prize money, while the remaining 30% will be provided by partners.

This is the seventh Open Innovation Call by the OIP. Previous calls have attracted over 6,500 registered participants addressing 123 problem statements and awarding over S$3 million in prizes.

Details:

The deadline for submissions is 5 June 2020. Interested parties can apply online at https://www.covid.openinnovation.sg/.

Challenges

National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC)

• Enhancing neighborhood-based volunteerism and enabling regular social support for the vulnerable within the neighborhood community

How can trust and reliance be fostered within neighborhoods to promote giving and support, particularly for vulnerable families, creating a community-driven support system?

• Smarter food resource management to alleviate food wastage and ensure food is distributed to the ones who need it

How can digital solutions be leveraged to establish a food rescue and repurposing ecosystem involving the food industry, charities, and supporting industries to minimize food waste in Singapore?

NVPC and GlobalSign.In

Veemal Gungadin, CEO & Founder of GlobalSign.In, an event management company, emphasized the importance of supporting migrant workers, who are integral to Singapore’s development. He stressed the need for innovation and collaboration during the COVID-19 crisis to improve the lives and living conditions of those affected, starting with providing access to necessary information and resources.

• Assisting migrant Workers to gain access to resources and enable self-help

How can barriers be reduced for migrant workers trying to access healthcare, food, shelter, information, and their rights independently, ensuring they are aware of available help and can seek and receive timely assistance?

Golden Energy and Resources

Tan Toi Ngee, Head of Innovation at energy and mining company Golden Energy and Resources, emphasized the importance of emerging from this crisis as a more resilient society. She highlighted the need for collaborative innovation to find solutions that enable workers to return to work safely while helping displaced individuals find new ways to contribute.

• Avail resources to better utilise skills and time of displaced workers for supply chain transformation

How can existing resources or platforms be leveraged to better utilize the skills of potentially displaced workers to transform the supply chain, meeting societal needs and leading to more sustainable, efficient, and resilient business models through stronger public-private partnerships?

• Decreasing the effective cost of testing our workforce to ensure they are safe and protected

How can the effectiveness and cost-efficiency of workforce testing be balanced to ensure safety and protection while minimizing disruption to business operations?

ABM Media

Gary Hong, Founder of ABM Media, a B2B marketing and media group, discussed how corporate social responsibility (CSR) has evolved beyond monetary donations. He shared ABM’s interest in exploring innovative and integrated CSR practices, leveraging shared strengths to create impactful engagements. He expressed hope that a platform connecting the community will encourage collaboration, sharing of good stories, and the collective creation of a more meaningful life.

• Digital platform for community participation, engagement & management

How can a single platform bring together stakeholders to offer sponsored resources, mobilize their communities for skills-based volunteering, deliver impactful social activities, and ensure accountability for sponsored resources?