Have you heard of the MIT Solve Supporting Survivors of Modern Slavery Challenge 2024? The main objective of this Challenge is to find innovative, exceptional solutions for survivors that make use of ethical technology like AI to enhance and expand essential resources required for various purposes.
And to increase their reach and impact:
- Enhancing current resources related to legal, financial, physical, psychological, and social well-being of survivors
- Enhancing accessibility and awareness of critical resources for survivors
- Strengthening the collaboration and effectiveness among service providers through improved communication, data sharing, and coordination
- Providing training and support to existing organizations and agencies to better engage and assist survivors.
Challenge Overview
More than 50 million individuals are currently ensnared in modern slavery globally. With a disproportionate impact on women and children. Alarmingly, one in every three victims of human trafficking is under 18 years old. Whilst survivors span diverse age groups and backgrounds, migrant populations and those with limited economic means are more susceptible to exploitation. It is concerning that without access to a safe environment, 80% of survivors fall prey to re-victimization.
Although numerous organizations are actively engaged in raising awareness. And combating the risks associated with modern slavery and forced labour. There is an urgent need for enhanced solutions that offer resources and support to empower survivors in their journey towards a thriving existence.
Survivors of modern slavery encounter formidable impediments as they strive to reconstruct their lives, including feelings of isolation, absence of essential documentation, and challenges in accessing financial aid, housing, and viable job opportunities. Embracing ethically developed and applied technology like artificial intelligence presents an opportunity to enhance efficiencies, amplify impact, and foster superior solutions for addressing the world’s most intricate dilemmas.
Despite this potential, there remains a scarcity of backing for scalable tech-centred approaches and organizations dedicated to aiding survivors of modern slavery. Undertakings worldwide are creatively harnessing technology and expanding resources to aid survivors in rebuilding their lives and reintegrating into society, offering indispensable amenities such as banking services, affordable housing, childcare, trauma-informed healthcare, and career support. These initiatives recognize that substantial change necessitates not just individual solution support, but also backing for a thriving community of innovators committed to a shared goal.
Benefits
- Finalists will have the opportunity to showcase their solutions in front of esteemed judges during a virtual pitch event. A funding pool of $300,000 is allocated for up to 5 winners of the Challenge. The funding distribution will include $75,000 each for 2 grand prize winners and $50,000 each for 3 runner-up prize winners.
- Apart from financial support, each Challenge awardee will engage in a 6-month assistance program led by MIT Solve in partnership with the HPE Foundation and The Anti-Slavery Collective. This program will offer:
- Curated in-kind resources to assist entrepreneurs in key areas like pro bono legal assistance, software licenses, and marketing.
- Virtual orientation sessions and monthly cohort gatherings throughout the program period.
- Regular virtual meetings with Solve staff for progress updates.
- Professional leadership coaching for winners.
- Capacity-building workshops hosted by experts on various topics such as Participatory Design, Theory of Change, Impact Metrics, and more.
- Access to expertise from global networks.
Eligibility Criteria
- Submissions are open to individuals, teams, and organizations, with a strong emphasis on encouraging participation from survivors or those who have experience with human trafficking or modern slavery.
- Solutions can follow for-profit, nonprofit. Or hybrid models and should be developed at least to the prototype stage.
- By MIT Solve’s Terms of Service, applications from individuals residing in Iran, Cuba, Syria, North Korea, Crimea, and Donetsk People’s Republic. Or Luhansk People’s Republic regions of Ukraine cannot be accepted due to US legal restrictions. Applications from individuals in Venezuela, Belarus, China (including Hong Kong), Saudi Arabia, and Russia will undergo legal scrutiny and may be removed if they violate US laws.
Application Process
To commence your Application, click here.
For more information, visit the official website of MIT Solve Supporting Survivors of Modern Slavery Challenge.
Application Deadline
July 1, 2024.
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