2018 Ideas for Action Winners Announced

The World Bank Group and the Zicklin Center for Business Ethics Research at the Wharton School announced the winners of the fourth annual youth development finance competition, which received over 2,000 proposals from 124 countries on how to finance and implement the Sustainable Development Goals.

First place went to Mino Microbubble Technology (Indonesia), which developed technology that increases dissolved oxygen in water to improve fish farm yields — claiming to boost yields by up to 40 percent compared to existing aerators. Second place went to Starlight (Rwanda), a women-led business model to improve sustainable access to energy by training local women as microentrepreneurs to distribute solar-powered lanterns, replacing kerosene lamps. Third place went to Amal (United States), software giving women in Middle East and North Africa countries access to information about their legal rights and help completing required paperwork.

Al Derb, the Arab Youth Parliament for Water, and Pennepidemic were recognized as runners-up, alongside eight honorable mentions including proposals from Colombia, Ghana, China, Tanzania and other countries.

Winners presented their proposals at the World Bank Group–IMF Annual Meetings in Bali, Indonesia, receiving expert connections and training opportunities from the Wharton School.