From drug-delivery drones to specialty handwashing stations, student entrepreneurs in nine countries are putting their COVID-19 fighting ideas into action thanks to grants from the Ford Motor Company Fund.
Ford Fund is the sole sponsor for these 14 winning teams under the Ford COVID-19 College Challenge, which was created as an extension of the Ford College Community Challenge (C3).
Now in its seventh year, Ford Fund’s signature C3 program empowers student teams to develop and lead sustainable projects that meet an urgent community need, such as clean water, food or mobility.
Ford Fund has awarded more than $16,000 to 14 Enactus teams for student-led projects that will address COVID-19 issues in communities around the world.
. Enactus—Ford Fund’s global partner for the Ford College Community Challenge—engaged student teams from its 37-country global network, inviting them to submit proposals for how they would address a specific COVID-19 related need in their community.
Out of 152 entries, 14 Enactus team projects were selected to receive at least a $1,000 grant through the Ford COVID-19 College Challenge.
The Enactus teams awarded grants come from nine countries—Brazil, Egypt, Eswatini, Ghana, India, Kenya, South Africa, the United Kingdom and United States. Each displayed an innovative approach to meeting the challenges created by COVID-19.
Winners of the Ford COVID-19 College Challenge are:
City University of Seattle, United States – Shirtie Mask produces and distributes reusable face masks for vulnerable populations. The project includes an online training program and app to connect mask producers to shelters.
Federal University of Pará (UFPA), Brazil – Project Costuraê typically produces EcoBags, but is pivoting production to make masks adapted with recycled material to facilitate communication with deaf people.
Helwan University, Egypt – Link Market will provide a safe way for customers to get essentials from supermarkets and pharmacies, while also employing delivery people.
Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi, India – Kimaya is a new virtual community of victims, counselors and women who will help one another deal with the growing issue of domestic violence during and after quarantine.
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana – Project ReL is a new, comprehensive, virtual remote learning platform for students at basic and high school levels. The project includes special learning modules for deaf students.
Multimedia University, Kenya – With a focus on technology, health and sanitation, this team is setting up handwashing stations in Nairobi County. Each station can hold large quantities of water, soap and sanitizer and is equipped with sensors for safety.
Netaji Subhash Institute of Technology, India – Project Aashray is a new web-portal that maps all stakeholders fighting COVID-19 as a one-stop-shop for users to find potential partners to collaborate with. Categories include contact tracing, testing, employee support and free food providers.
Southern Africa Nazarene University, Eswatini – Hlanteka Wonder Bucket aims to encourage proper handwashing. The system turns a general bucket into a hands-free tap and mixes the proper ratio of soup and water to save resources.
SRM Institute of Management Studies, India – FlyLife will be an automated drone delivery, transport and logistics service for the e-pharmacy industry that delivers to homes. Grant funding is going towards the building of the drone and launch of the project.
State University of Santa Cruz (UESC), Brazil – Enpathos is a new website that assists local entrepreneurs by connecting them with volunteers.
University College of Management Studies of Accra, Ghana – WATERCOVIDAPP-19 is an app that lists private water vendors in order to help users locate water for household use at a marginal cost during COVID-19.
University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa – SmartGro will create a web-based solution to provide essential goods to households. The team will establish relationships with supermarkets and pharmacies as well as hire delivery drivers.
University of Nottingham, United Kingdom – An extension of the Foodprint store—a supermarket that redirects surplus food—Foodprint on Wheels is delivering necessary food and safety supplies such as PPE for nurses to Nottinghamshire Hospice in an effort to help relieve some of the pressure put on their community.
University of Southampton, United Kingdom – The Future Brew team will partner with local supermarkets to collect surplus food and create packages that will be delivered to homeless shelters and low-income families.