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Social Innovation Challenge

Addressing Basic Needs Through Community-Driven Solutions

The Spring 2025 Social Innovation Challenge invites students or student groups to propose innovative solutions around basic needs. A student perspective is imperative in the pursuit of ideas that are sustainable, innovative, grounded, and relevant in a rapidly changing world.

Objective

Design a community-driven initiative that addresses unmet basic needs—such as food security, clean water, healthcare, education, or shelter—for underprivileged or underserved populations. Your proposal should foster sustainability, resilience, and community empowerment.

In the video below, Shelly Parks overviews the Social Innovation Challenge and what meeting basic needs means. Check it out for important information and inspiration!

Definitions of basic needs to help refine your focus:

Context

Around the world, many communities face significant challenges in accessing basic resources. Addressing these challenges often requires innovative approaches that are sustainable, culturally sensitive, and foster local ownership. By focusing on community-driven solutions, we can create lasting change that meets people where they are.

Challenge

Your task is to create a comprehensive plan for a community-based program that effectively addresses at least one basic need in a way that is sustainable, scalable, and empowers the local community. Consider how this program could leverage local knowledge, resources, and partnerships to maximize impact.

Key Considerations

• Community Involvement: How will you engage local stakeholders in the planning and implementation process? What strategies will you use to ensure the program reflects the community's priorities and leverages local expertise?
• Sustainability: What mechanisms will you put in place to ensure the program is sustainable in the long term, both financially and operationally? How will you ensure the community is equipped to maintain the program without external support?
• Cultural Sensitivity: How will you ensure your program respects and integrates local culture, values, and traditions? What steps will you take to build trust and rapport within the community?
• Scalability and Adaptability: Can your solution be adapted or scaled to other communities with similar needs? What aspects of your program would be most easily transferable?
• Partnerships and Collaboration: Identify potential partners, such as local organizations, NGOs, government agencies, or businesses, that could help support your initiative. How will you foster effective collaboration among these partners?
• Technology and Innovation: How can you incorporate technology or innovative practices to enhance the effectiveness of your program? Consider the role of digital tools, data analytics, or renewable energy in your approach.

Outcome

The ultimate goal is to create a program that meets a specific basic need while promoting community engagement, sustainability, and resilience. By focusing on these aspects, your proposal has the potential to make a significant and lasting impact on the well-being of the targeted community.

We are seeking practical applications, new regulations, changes to culture and societal attitudes, or changes to resources and technology that are solution oriented. Some areas of focus relating to reimagining higher education may include:

• Awareness, Access & Advocacy
• Equity & Diverse Identities
• Public Policy & Perception
• Reducing & Mitigating Risk Factors
• Social Innovation & Structural Reform
• Technological Resources

What You''ll Work Towards

How You'll Do It

• Any ´ó·¢ student or group of students are welcome to participate.
• The Kickoff event will be held on Tuesday, Feb 11 from 12pm - 1 pm. If you would like more information about the Social Innovation Challenge and how to prepare, please refer to the video from Shelly Parks above.  
• Complete a describing your innovative contributions towards the topic.
• While regional and local solutions are encouraged, global solutions are welcome.
• Submissions are due: Tuesday, March 25, 11:59pm.
• Finalists will prepare a 3-5 minute presentation for final judging being held at the Innovation Hub on April 10 at 4pm - 5:30 pm.
• Official Competition Guidelines
  

Your submission will be evaluated on...

• Articulates the innovation: Showcases innovation in addressing the problem and is clearly articulated.
• Realistic and feasible: Demonstrates that the idea is practical and implementable.  
• Broad impact: Describes the beneficiaries of the idea and how they will benefit, including specific communities that might benefit the most.

Questions or Guidance?

Feel free to contact us! innovation@csusm.edu