Vietnam Innovation Day 2011 Innovation for social equity and sustainable growth 1. General Introduction Competition Guidelines The Vietnam Innovation Day (VID) 2011, organized through the partnership of the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the World Bank, is an opportunity to bring to life innovative ideas that address local development challenges. Its co-sponsors to date are Australian Agency for International Development, Department for International Development (U.K.), the Royal Embassy of Denmark, the Embassy of Finland and U.S. Agency for International Development. VID 2011 identifies and directly supports small and innovative development proposals that exhibit high potential for development impacts and deliver results which can then be expanded or replicated. The theme for this year s program is Innovation for Social Equity and Sustainable Growth. 2. Vietnam Innovation Day 2011 Country Background and Competition Guidelines The Current Situation Vietnam s GDP grew at an average of over 7 percent annually during the past 10 years (GDP per capita in 2009 was approximately US$1,052). Vietnam is now a middle income country and is ontrack to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Vietnam s Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), which account for almost 85 percent of the 471,000 registered enterprises in Vietnam, have made a substantial contribution to the country s success in poverty reduction and economic development and generated most of the new jobs over the last decade. However, there remains a large untapped potential for innovation among MSMEs and social entrepreneurs to bring even greater benefit to the poor and under-served, to bridge the economic and social disparities and contribute to the country s sustainable development and quality of growth in Vietnam. Competition Theme VID 2011 calls for proposals on Innovation for Social Equity and Sustainable Growth with the focus on the following sub-themes and with the objective of developing products and services for the benefit of the poor and under-served communities:
1. Energy Efficiency: Despite an average annual growth rate of 12% in electricity production over the past few years, Vietnam is still facing a great challenge in meeting - everincreasing demand. The National Target Program on energy efficiency has set a target to save 5-8% of electricity consumption by 2015. Economic and efficient use of energy and the introduction of renewable and alternative energy sources are crucial solutions to ensure sustainable and continuous social and economic development. VID 2011 is seeking innovations in acquiring, adopting, creating and using new technologies, new processes and products that will reduce wastage of energy and promote alternative low-carbon energy sources, especially for those that are low cost and improve access to underserved communities. 2. Traditional Herbal Medicine: Vietnam has a long history of utilizing traditional medicine and health solutions using traditional knowledge and herbal plants. Traditional medicine is one of the national development priorities identified by the Vietnamese Government. Prime Minister Decision No. 2166/QD-TTg, dated November 30, 2010, On the issuance of Government s Action plan to develop traditional medicine and pharmacy of Vietnam by 2020 aims to modernize and develop traditional medicine and pharmacy to improve and protect the health of the people. VID 2011 is seeking initiatives that tap Vietnam s great potential in enhancing scientific and clinical research to allow traditional herbal medicine products to be brought to the market and improve access to related services. 3. Agriculture based products and services focusing on - (i) nature based, safe and environment friendly products/ production practices, (ii) low cost technologies/ models for agro-produce/food storage and agricultural waste management / utilization (e.g., use of agri. waste to develop alternative materials), and (iii) non-traditional institutional arrangements to better link farmers with domestic agricultural product/food markets and distribution channels. The focus of each sub-theme is designed to serve as guidance for developing proposals that replace higher cost products (e.g., imported medicines), and improve affordability and access to product and /or services to the poor and underserved communities. Eligibility Criteria A. Eligible Applicants: The VID is seeking proposals from all registered Vietnamese organizations especially but not exclusively SMEs and social entrepreneurs with legal status registered by Vietnamese Enterprise Law, with the exception of the following agencies, organizations and units affiliated to: (i) the organizing agencies and coorganizer(s) and co-sponsor(s); and (ii) Army and Police services. Foreign and international organizations may only apply in partnership with local organization(s) bearing primary implementation responsibilities. Collaboration between business and R&D communities both with local and international organizations is encouraged.
B. Award Size: the maximum award size will be US$30,000. C. Implementation Period: up to one year from the date of fund disbursement. D. Thematic Relevance: The proposal must adhere to the theme of the competition, have a clear objective to be met within one year of the award and meet the demands of the local development process where the project will be implemented for the benefit of the poor and underserved communities. E. Language: The application and any related documents should be in Vietnamese or both Vietnamese and English. F. Number of Proposal(s): An enterprise /organization may submit more than one proposal. However, one enterprise /organization can receive only one award. Proposal Submission Method and Format Proposals should follow the format outlined in the application form issued by the VID Organizing Committee and available from the World Bank Vietnam s Web site at http://www.worldbank.org.vn and the website of the Enterprise Development Agency, Ministry of Planning and Investment www.business.gov.vn Applicants are encouraged to provide a summary (maximum one page) of the project objective, outcomes and link to the VID2011 theme. Full details of the program, instructions on how to submit a proposal and application forms in hard copies can also be obtained at the reception desk of the World Bank Country Office located at Building 63 Ly Thai To St., 8 th Floor, Hanoi, the Vietnam Development Information Center on the 2 nd floor of Building 63 Ly Thai To St., Hanoi or all SMEs Promotion Centers under the Enterprise Development Agency throughout the country. The documents can also be provided by fax, post or email attachment upon request. The proposal should be signed off by the Head of the enterprise/ organization and must be submitted in hard copy by post and as soft version via email to the VID Organizing Committee by 5:00 pm on May 5 th, 2011 (for those outside Hanoi, the deadline is based on the date of the postoffice) address to: Vietnam Innovation Day 2011 World Bank Vietnam Office 8 th Floor, 63 Ly Thai To St. Hoan Kiem dist., Hanoi Email: hdoan@worldbank.org Proposals submitted after the deadline will not be considered. For further information, please contact: Ms. Doan Thi Thu Hang, World Bank Vietnam Office Tel: (04) 934-6600 (ext 335); Fax: (04) 934-6597 Email: hdoan@worldbank.org
Proposal Assessment Criteria Proposals will be assessed according to the following criteria: Innovation: How does the project approach differ from existing approaches? All proposals selected for funding should incorporate new methods that go beyond the current practice or projects. Link to theme: How well does the proposed project fit with theme and sub themes of the VID 2011? Growth Potential: Does the idea have the potential for expansion? Can it be replicated elsewhere? Potential for upgrading, scaling up and sustainable commercial production? Results: Will the project have clear and measurable results that will have a direct impact on the poor and under-served communities? Does the project clearly define the potential beneficiaries and stake-holders during the implementation process? Collaboration: Does the project involve collaboration with other organizations (R&D and business community) - local and international? Realism/Organizational Capacity: Does the project have a realistic implementation time frame and detailed budget? What is the organization s capacity to implement the project? Does project team have an ability to implement the proposed initiative, including the ability to mobilize human resources, working facilities and financial contributions (if possible)? Sustainability: Does the project have the potential to continue beyond VID funding? The project should receive support from community and attract participation by beneficiaries. Timeline and Key Steps: o March 7 th, 2011: Launch o March 14 th - 30 th 2011: Introductory workshops Four introductory workshops will be organized in Hanoi and several provinces. o May 5 th 2011: Proposals submission deadline o May 5 th 24 th 2011: 1 st Review of proposals Proposals will be reviewed against the assessment criteria mentioned above. Finalists will be selected. o May 25 th 2011: Announcement of finalists Finalists will be announced and invited to the VID 2011 main event and present their ideas before a jury panel. o June 14 th 15 th 2011: VID 2011 Main event: Competition Final Round, Awarding Ceremony and Knowledge Exchange, Hanoi. An independent jury comprising of leading Vietnamese and international experts invited by the organizers will evaluate each proposal and select winners to receive grants for project implementation.
Background information on the Vietnam Innovation Day Program: Vietnam Innovation Day is an annual program co-organized by the World Bank and government counterparts in partnership with many multilateral and bilateral donor organizations and business entities. The Program identifies and provides seed-funding for innovative, early stage ideas at the grassroots level that exhibit high potential for development impacts. The first Vietnam Innovation Day was organized in 2003. It has since become an annual event. The theme for each year is identified through wide consultation on issues of public interest, country focus and priorities in the government development agenda. Previous themes have included Life Safety (2003), Fighting HIV/AIDS (2004), Environmental Actions (2005), Disadvantaged Children and Youth (2006), Traffic Safety (2007), Food Safety (2008), More Accountability and Transparency, Less Corruption (2009), and Climate Change (2010). Since its inception, the program has seen an increasing numbers of applications, partners and donors. The Program has received nearly 1,600 entries nationwide in response to the past 8 calls for proposals, demonstrating a huge volume of innovative local solutions to promote development and poverty alleviation. Nearly 40 donors have joined the Bank to co-sponsor the programs contributing two thirds of the award pools. More than US$2.4 million in grants have so far been awarded to 231 diverse and innovative projects.