Research and present a solution to a local issue your community is facing ensuring you make an impact that is both innovative and sustainable (“Community” can be class, school, local town, or country).  

These are the entry requirements for Round 1 of the competition:

• Students must upload a 3-5minute video pitch

• Groups can be made up of 1-2 members only

• Every member of the project should speak in the video pitch

Students must be in grades 9-12 (years 10-13)

• Based on the 4 SDGs of GISS 2023 (see below)

As global citizens we encourage students to explore and learn more about the UN SDG's, therefore Students will have four choices from the sustainability goals to focus their projects on, these are;

Responsible consumption

Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns

Question: How can we ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns?

Climate Action

Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts

Question: How can we combat climate change and its impacts?

Life below water

Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development

Question: How can we ensure the sustainability of life below water?

Life on land

Sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, halt and reverse land degradation, halt biodiversity loss

Question: How can we sustainably manage life on land?

How to submit the video pitch:

A link will be shared with every school, check with your school focal point to upload your video pitch.

Up to 25 projects will be selected to proceed to Round 2.

You're nearly there!!!!  

Round 2 Requirements:

• Pass Round 1 and get an invitation to proceed.

• Prepare an initial 800-1000 word report, to include the following:

  1. • Initial research findings -  this should include some data. 

     • A clear short reflection of how your project has made a difference in your community so far and any changes made to the initial plan if any.

     • Check the rubric and the Q&A for more detail.

     • Initial report should not exceed 6 pages

• Participants will have 4 months to implement their project and submit the Round 2 Report by the 10th of September 2022.

How to submit the Round 2 Report:

A link will be shared with every school, check with your school focal point to upload your Round 2 Report.

15 - 20 successful projects who pass Round 2, will be selected to proceed with Round 3. 

This is the last stage!

Focus on the theme: Local Solutions for a Global Impact!

Prepare your final report for Round 3 as follows:  

• 1500-2500 word report that includes

  • Final Research findings

  • Actions taken

  • Include suggestions for improvement. 

  • Include whether the local solutions ( your project), can be applied globally. Is it scalable 

  • Data and evidence showing improvements/ impact in the community. Evidence can be given through; numbers, tables, charts, pictures, and videos.

• Reflection of how your project has made a difference, this evidence should include feedback from the community.

  • Visual/ multimedia evidence to document your journey

  • Video footage, pictures, or your journey to showcase the progress 

  • Video footage of interviews with the community

  • Pictures of the stages of development

  • Any other multimedia to support your submission (be creative!)

  • The final report should not exceed 20 pages.

How to submit the Round 3 Report:

A link will be shared with every school, check with your school focal point to upload your Round 3 Report.

15 to 20 projects/students that have successfully completed Round 3 will be invited to the summit in Qatar.

• Prepare one or more of the following to be presented at the Summit in Qatar 

  • • 3D model of your project 

      1. Cost not to exceed 2000QR

      2. Items should be easily shipped to Qatar, brought with you on your flight, or can be easily found and assembled in Qatar. 

    • Digital representation

    • Presentation (summary of the project to be presented in the conference using PowerPoint or other media)  

    • Posters to represent your project

    • Others ( be creative)

    • You will have 1/2 a day in Qatar to prepare your final presentation and/ or your 3D model before the Summit.

• Pay the registration fee of 1000 QR ($273 USD), per school/project. All other costs will be covered by the GISS 2023 sponsors.  This includes:

  • • Return airfare from country of residence for up to 2 students and 1 adult per school/project

    • Accommodations for the duration of the stay (up to 10 days) for up to 2 individuals per school/project.

    • Expenses for transport, excursions and entry fees

    • Breakfast + one other meal.

    • Other personal expenses are not included. 

• What to bring with you to Qatar:  A detailed guide will be sent to you to include the following:

  • What to pack?  

  • Passport and visa requirements

  • Cultural awareness

  • Dress code

  • How much money to bring for personal spending