Alpbach Ideas

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28 Jul, 2023

EFA365

Do you have an idea in mind that will help to shape a better Europe? Or do you want to join other bright minds in their aspirations and co-create solutions to pressing challenges? Join Alpbach IDEAS at the European Forum Alpbach 2023!

Alpbach IDEAS is a yearlong journey initiated by the European Forum Alpbach that aims to tackle pressing challenges on a community, societal and global level within the four thematic tracks of the EFA23. Alpbach IDEAS wants to provide aspiring changemakers and innovators with a space to experiment, learn & co-create ideas for a bolder Europe and will support participants through collaborative workshops, access to tools, mentorship, or simply by asking the right questions.

The one-year cycle of Alpbach IDEAS will be kicked-off at this year’s European Forum Alpbach with three dynamic IDEAS Camps, where participants will learn how to articulate their visions and aspirations, delve into different approaches to problem-solving, while also having the opportunity to put the learned frameworks into practice. Those teams with the most impactful and well-defined ideas will have the opportunity to participate in three bootcamps starting in November 2023, will receive a small funding to test their concepts, and eventually participate in the European Forum Alpbach 2024 to present their ideas for a bolder Europe.

Interested? This is how you can join:

1. Talk to us at “Food for Thought” from 21 to 24 August (1.45 to 2.45 p.m. at Mittelschule)

2. SIGN UP on the EFA23-APP and join us for the 3 IDEAS Camps:

  • 25 August, 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. | IDEAS Camp #1 on mindset & co-creation, hosted by Marina Bartoletti
  • 26 August, 2:00 – 4.30 p.m. | IDEAS Camp #2 on understanding a problem, hosted by Gabriele Rizzo
  • 27 August, 9.00 a.m. – 12.00 p.m. | IDEAS Camp #3 on exploring solutions and creating teams, hosted by Gabriele Rizzo

3. Alpbach IDEAS Infopoints: elaborate your ideas further & get inspiration from Content experts each day from 29 August to 1 September at 12.15 p.m. until 1.30 p.m. (Schulhäusl). This includes a workshop on how to design an engaging video reel to tell your story effectively!

Join us on 31 August at 12.15 – 1.00 p.m. at Schulhäusl.


Expected output?

By 2 September, all teams will have uploaded a 90 seconds video reel outlining the challenge they want to address and their suggested solution. Up to 8 teams will then be chosen to continue the journey throughout 2023 and 2024.

Don't miss this incredible opportunity to engage in transformative learning, shape your ideas, and contribute to positive change in the world. Join us at the IDEAS Camps and let's embark on a journey of exploration, experimentation, and collaboration.

Why should I join?

This is an opportunity to work on solving a pressing problem and to contribute to shaping a "Bold Europe!" You will get to know an international network of people to work and exchange with and get access to world-class experts from various fields.

Who can join?

Aspiring changemakers, innovators, and problem solvers are invited! Participation in the Alpbach IDEAS programme is open to everyone, including scholarship holders and participants of the LAB days. There is no age limit – anyone who can participate in the "IDEAS Camp" during the European Forum Alpbach 2023 (25 – 27 August) can join the program.

Which ideas qualify?

You do not need to have a pre-defined idea to join the programme. Passion for a problem is key: Refine "your question" and draft a solution during the Forum.

The developed idea has to connect with at least one of EFA’s four thematic tracks: Rallying for Climate Action, Fighting for Europe’s Economic Sovereignty, Securing Europe in a Multipolar World, Reinforcing Democracy in Europe. Find out more about them HERE.

How many people can participate and how are the teams selected?

Up to 120 people can participate in the Alpbach IDEAS Camps at EFA23. A maximum of eight teams of between three and five people will get the chance to refine their ideas on a year-long journey after the event.

  • At the end of the EFA23 (on 2 September 2023), each team will have the opportunity to upload a 90 second reel showcasing their idea.
  • Then, the public will vote for the videos until approx. 10 September 2023
  • Then, a jury of four experts will rate the ideas. The public voting will be a part of the score, based on a weighted rating methodology.

Criteria for the team selection are:

  • Engagement during the Forum
  • Understanding of the problem
  • Relevance to the European Forum Alpbach Tracks
  • Solution Concept – how lean is the suggested solution?
  • Experiment design – what is the assumption the team wants to test? How does it plan to do it?
  • Public voting

What happens after EFA23?

The teams with the most impactful and well-defined idea suggestions and experiment designs will receive funding to test their idea in 2024. Additionally, they will gain access to:

  • Mentors for regular check-ins throughout the year
  • Funded participation in three bootcamps (including one in Vienna, with all expenses paid)
  • Funded tickets to join the EFA24 and present their learnings
IDEASSS

UPDATE 11 January 2023: Find the updated timeline at the bottom of this page.


Did you have a big idea during an EFA session or while reading your favourite magazine? Have you had this long-running crazy scheme in your head or are you already talking to colleagues about a specific project?

Then what are you waiting for? No matter if you are alone or together in a group or if your idea was born during EFA22 or somewhere else, if you want to contribute as a team member, as mentor or in any other way – the European Forum Alpbach warmly invites you to take part in Alpbach Ideas!

What is Alpbach Ideas?

  • Alpbach Ideas is an initiative that supports participants in tackling urgent challenges with transformative approaches in the framework of the four EFA tracks.
  • With the aim of fostering concepts or ideas with positive long-term effects on a local or planetary scale, Alpbach Ideas calls for a systematic understanding of the problems we are facing today.
  • Unlikely allies are invited to find together in teams to better understand these common challenges and to develop concepts or ideas to generate integral answers and visible value.
  • Selected concepts or ideas will take part at EFA23 and set the stage for Europe’s future.

190 participants from more than 45 countries joined already. Stay tuned to see what's coming next!

So, if you had an idea during Alpbach or already have been scheming on something in the past, Alpbach Ideas is your chance for kicking it off!

How to do that? The answer is very simple. Go to the ideas workspace, sign up and get involved! This is the place to submit your idea and to connect with other initiators, mentors, and idea-inventors. In addition, it provides further information on Alpbach Ideas, its process, and the tasks.

Keep in mind, it does not matter whether you are alone or already in a group, it does not matter whether you have an idea, or you want to contribute as mentor or whether you simply want to set an impulse – we want you to get involved and be part of Alpbach Ideas!

Timeline

  • SELECTION PHASE 7 February 2023: Jury selection process
  • ANNOUNCEMENT and AGREEMENT TALKS: end of March-April

Framework

What's in for you?

The spirit of Alpbach inspires you? Sign up on our platform and submit your idea to

  • find ‘partners in crime’ for the realisation of your idea,
  • gain support from a mentor from the EFA network,
  • get the chance to receive funding for your selected idea,
  • participate in EFA23 and be part of its programme.

Who can contribute to Alpbach Ideas?

Every person or institution who is interested in

  • submitting a project idea and lead an Alpbach Ideas team,
  • joining an already existing Alpbach Idea as team member or mentor,
  • acting as mentor or consultant to all participants.

What does the EFA offer?

In January 2023 only a handful of project ideas will be selected by a jury to get further and more profound support. All things considered, EFA offers you

  • an online workspace platform for the submission and development of your project idea,
  • access to competent mentors and consultants from the EFA community,
  • assistance by the EFA team,
  • financial funding,
  • and participation at EFA23.

What requirements should your final idea proposal meet?

In order to be selected, a final proposal has to be submitted during the Refining Phase in January. This proposal needs to

  • elaborate on the project idea’s topic, its vision and mission. Your project idea must answer the question of how it will make a difference on a European or even a planetary scale.
  • ensure your project idea is aligned to one of EFA’s four thematic tracks (climate, democracy, finance, security) and answers the question of how it will contribute to next year’s EFA23.
  • name at least three team members and one mentor. You must clarify your team’s structure, the distribution of tasks as well as the team’s capacities in terms of time.
  • clarify how much and what kind of support you need from the EFA and other parties and provide an estimation of costs.

How do you submit your application?

If you follow this link, you will be redirected to the ideas workspace. After creating an account, you can immediately get involved with Alpbach Ideas! If you still have open questions, please either visit the platform or message us at ideas@alpbach.org. If you encounter technical difficulties with the platform please contact the technical support team directly at admin@babele.co

Possible Topics for Ideas

We took a look at the collected Ideas Cards which have been filled out by participants during EFA22 and the Ideas Camps. These following topics, aligned in no particular order to the four EFA tracks, generated most interest. Take a look!

Climate

  • Agriculture and Biodiversity
  • Carbon Reduction and Renewables
  • Cities & Living
  • Climate Communication and Raising Awareness
  • Food
  • Mobility

Finance and Economy

  • Financial Literacy
  • Investment into People
  • Capitalism
  • Sustainable Business Models
  • Tax

Democracy and Rule of Law

  • Civic and Political Education
  • Diversity and Inclusion
  • Emigration and Immigration
  • Hate Speech and Misinformation
  • Inequality
  • Participation and Improving Democracy
  • Populism and Polarisation
  • Racism and Discrimination
  • Education
  • Trust & Distrust

Security

  • Digital Security and Threats
  • Geopolitical Tensions
  • On-the-Ground-Action
  • War in Europe and Consequences
  • Western Balkans
  • Women in Security Politics

Your EFA contact

Please email Sophie Langer-Hansel at ideas@alpbach.org

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Apply now!

Sign up and register your idea:

Visit the Alpbach Ideas Workspace

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