HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Swachhata Start-Up Challenge was started to encourage waste management innovation.
- The goal of the challenge is to raise awareness about waste management and sanitation startups.
- Under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0, the challenge is a step toward smart government.
What is in the News?
The Swachhata Start-Up Challenge was initiated to encourage waste management innovation. The Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Department of Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) launched it. The AFD is a public financial institution in France. It carries out the French government’s policies. The top ten contestants will each earn a cash award of Rs. 25 lakh. The challenge will be run under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ supervision.
Concerning the challenge
The goal of the challenge is to raise awareness about waste management and sanitation startups. The competition will push startups to bring about change in the area. The challenge is open to both Indian and French startups.
In four areas, the contestants must find answers. Zero dump (solid waste management), social inclusion, plastic waste management, and transparency via digital enablement are the four pillars.
Vilgro is one of the challenge’s implementation partners. The winners would receive a follow-on investment of 50 lakh rupees from Vilgro. In addition, the winners will get $100,000 in technological support from Amazon Web Services, a technology partner.
Significance
Under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban 2.0, the challenge is a step toward smart government. Its goal is to encourage entrepreneurs to realize the dream of garbage-free cities. In the next five years, the SBM – Urban 2.0 aspires to achieve garbage-free cities.
Background
The problem has arisen at a time when France and the European Union are negotiating a global pact against plastic pollution with India. The treaty intends to change the economy to a circular one.
