The Farming by Satellite Prize rewards young innovators exploring the use of satellite technologies to improve agriculture and reduce environmental impact. Applications for the 2020 Prize opened 16 March 2020.
Kicking off its 5th edition, the Farming by Satellite Prize is designed to encourage young professionals, farmers and students in Europe and Africa to create new, sustainable and environmentally friendly solutions using Copernicus, EGNOS and Galileo. A total Prize pool of €10,000 is up for grabs in 2020 with prizes distributed among the top three European applicants as well as the best idea submitted to the Special Africa Prize. Returning this year, the Special Africa Prize encourages young Africans to seek satellite-based solutions for their agricultural needs.
How does it work?
Each team nominates a leader to register their team and idea on the application platform. Once registered, teams can start on their applications and return to the platform to keep working on their ideas until the deadline of 15 June. All applications will then be evaluated, and the top finalists will be selected to continue to the deep dive phase. This next phase will see teams submit a pitch deck to compete for the chance to travel to the live pitch and award ceremony event. Two phases, live pitching and €10k up for grabs! Interested?
Who can participate?
Individuals or teams of up to four people are invited to register online between 16 March and 15 June 2020. All team members must be under the age of 32 by the submission deadline and be a citizen or resident of a European or African country.
An initiative of the European GNSS Agency (GSA) and the European Environment Agency (EEA), this Prize was established in 2012 and has awarded 14 of Europe and Africa’s brightest young innovators. “Agriculture has been an enthusiastic early adopter of satellite technologies to improve performance in the sector. The Farming by Satellite prize aims to tap into this thirst for innovation and support young innovators in delivering applications and services based on Galileo, EGNOS and Copernicus that will contribute to the evolution of agriculture and to meeting some of the critical challenges facing the global community,” said GSA Acting Executive Director Pascal Claudel.
Innovation is crucial for the growth and sustainability of the agricultural sector especially with the rise of global population and the impact of climate change. Hans Bruyninckx, Executive Director of the EEA, shares his perspective, “It is clear that we need to make food production much more sustainable and lessen its impacts on the environment and climate. Satellite data, technology and innovation can support this change, which is why partnering with this initiative aligns well with the EEA’s commitment to protecting our nature, climate and human health.”
The 2020 edition of the Farming by Satellite Prize is supported by the GSA, the European Environment Agency and CLAAS. As one initiating partner, the GSA is the agency of the European Union managing Europe’s satellite navigation systems, EGNOS and Galileo. Another initiating partner, the EEA is an agency of the European Union that provides independent information on the environment to decision makers and the public and industry. Industry partner CLAAS, is a manufacturer of agricultural engineering equipment. Full details on the competition are available on the competition website. Participants are invited to register early and submit their full written application before the registration deadline on 15 June 2020.
