The E-idea competition launches in Japan on April 26th, 2011, and will also run in Australia, China,
Indonesia , South Korea, Thailand and Vietnam. In each country, the competition will be open to
start-up ventures as well as “step-up” expansions of existing projects. The winners will be those that
focus on real-life sustainability challenges.
To win, projects have to clearly address some of the biggest environmental challenges facing localurban communities. These include waste reduction and efficiency, environmental transport and
travel, energy reduction, water efficiency and sustainable design.
E-idea is a unique alliance between the British Council and Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance
(LRQA). The competition will engage, empower and encourage the winners as they bring their ideas
to fruition by providing the successful eco-entrepreneurs project funding as well as expert technical,
business, marketing and networking support.
The regional competition was formally announced at the Sydney Opera House in January, 2011 byWilliam Hague, UK Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs who "applauded all
involved, particularly the British Council and LRQA for their involvement," and described E-idea as
"addressing one of the central problems in world affairs and calls for people's ingenuity and
entrepreneurship in doing so... I hope many, many people are going to take part."
For more information about E-idea go to www.e-idea.org
E-idea Thailand Launches on April 27th
In Thailand, the E-idea competition officially launches on April 27th where eco-entrepreneurs will
compete for six awards: three for start-up awards worth 120,000 Baht each; and three in the step-up
category worth 200,000 Baht each. The Thai competition closes on Sunday 3rd July.
LRQA have agreed to contribute ?260,000 towards the implementation of the seven Asia Pacific
programmes. In addition to financial support, LRQA and the British Council will equip E-idea
winners with leadership, project management skills and knowledge. E-idea winners will also
become part of the British Council and LRQA’s regional E-idea network, giving them access to
national and international training and networking opportunities.
With a proven track record working with young people across countries and cultures, the British
Council is ideally positioned to engage and empower young people committed to finding solutions
to climate change and sustainability issues. The British Council already works directly with more
than 120,000 young people in over 60 countries who are interested in tackling climate change.
LRQA, as part of the 250-year-old Lloyd’s Register Group, brings a well-established independent
and authoritative professional global network as well as a high level of technical climate change
expertise. The E-idea competition will give the young winning entrepreneurs the opportunity to work
with LRQA’s global business network of 50,000 clients.
Huw Oliphant, British Council Project Manager for E-idea, said, “The British Council is delighted to
be working with LRQA on this project. LRQA’s expertise and positive and enthusiastic commitment
to this project make them an ideal partner for us. We are confident that this alliance will give real
support to those young leaders who want to make a difference while also raising awareness of
climate and sustainability issues on local, national and regional stages.”
Simon Batters, LRQA Project Director for E-idea Competition, said: “This is a major opportunity for
LRQA, as a responsible company, to make a proactive, creative and dynamic contribution to
climate change. We are contributing directly to society by supporting these young environmental
leaders and are actually investing in the future by doing something tangible for the environment.”
Quotes from the project winners of the E-idea pilot competition held in Japan in 2010
Mr. Tsuneyuki Fujioka from Funfam.
Funfam make people aware of an alternative to fossil-fuel derived products by promoting bamboo
tableware as a stylish, sustainable and renewable resource: http://e-idea2010.climatechange.
jp/en/fujioka.php
“Getting the E-idea 1st prize was really meaningful in terms of developing my project. The support
from such famous and trustworthy organisations as the British Council and LRQA was really
influential for my project and the mentoring and support from both organisations as well as the
public recognition I received helped to raise the project’s reputation and secure additional funding.
Also, being part of E-idea has given me many opportunities for promoting my project though the
media such as the Eco Solutions programme on CNN. E-idea has been a real gateway for me to
become a social entrepreneur.” Mr Fujioka.
Mr. Shuichi Ishibashi and Mr. Takayuki Miyauchi from Energy Literacy Platform
Energy Literacy Platform (ELP) is a tool that helps us learn how much electricity is used at home.
Energy consumption from electronic appliances are detected by a module and quantitatively
presented on the ELP website for users to monitor. The objective is to familiarize users with energy
consumption and work towards overall energy reduction: http://e-idea2010.climatechange.
jp/en/ishibashi.php
“Through the E-idea training, I learnt how globally social entrepreneurs tackle social issues. It was
a good experience to discuss with, and get advice from, other participants within the British Council
and LRQA network. This allowed me to develop my project further based on the participants’ actual
case studies. By networking with similar-minded people from other countries, I also have started to
understand the needs of each country and the importance of working together.” Mr Miyauchi.
About LRQA and the British Council
LRQA is a member of the Lloyd’s Register Group and is a leading independent provider of
Business Assurance services including certification, validation, verification and training. The Group
enhances the safety of life, property and the environment by helping our clients to ensure the
quality construction and operation of critical infrastructure. It comprises charities and non-charitable
entities, which support the charities in their main goal. For more, please visit: www.lr.org
The British Council is the UK’s international organisation for educational opportunities and cultural
relations. They work in over 100 countries worldwide to build opportunity and trust for the UK
through the exchange of knowledge and ideas between people. They work in the Arts, English,
Education and Society - including science and sport - and contribute to the security and prosperity
of the UK and the countries where they work. Last year they engaged face to face with 18.4 million
people and reached 652 million. The British Council is a non-political organisation which operates
at arm’s length from government. For more, please visit: www.britishcouncil.org
E-idea Contacts E-idea www.e-idea.org
British Council Thailand Chananyou Muadmanee
Programmes Manager (E-idea)
British Council Thailand
T +66 (0)2 657 5610 or +66 (0)2 657 5630
Asia-Pacific Adam Pillsbury
Senior Communications Manager,
Climate and Sustainability, British Council Beijing
T +86 (10) 6590 6903 ext 257
LRQA Asia-Pacific Richard Cook
Corporate Communications Manager Asia
Lloyd’s Register Group
T. +852 2287 9375