*Please circulate widely and apologies for cross-posting*

I hope this will be of interest to you.If you have questions or comments, please contact Earl Mardle at earl.mardle@stockholmchallenge.se or Ulla Skid��n at ulla.skiden@stockholmchallenge.se.

Best,

Yong Liu

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The Stockholm Challenge Award 2006 is open for entries

http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/news_right.asp?IdNr=150THE STOCKHOLM CHALLENGE AWARD 2006 invites excellent ICT projects from all over the world to compete for the prestigious Challenge trophies. The Challenge is searching for the best initiatives that accelerate the use of information technology for the social and economic benefit of citizens and communities. The objective is to help local entrepreneurs, who work to close the digital divide, by bringing in research communities, development organisations and strong corporate initiatives.

THE AWARDS WILL BE HANDED OUT IN SIX CATEGORIES http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/show_facts.asp?IdNr=9in the City Hall - on May 11, 2006. Special focus will be on projects in countries and regions with the greatest needs. There will also be an international Challenge conference in Stockholm on issues related to the role of ICTs in global development work.

*THE AWARD IS OPEN FOR ENTRIES until December 31st 2005*. The application form http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/omtavling_index.htmlis easily accessible on the home page.

The Stockholm Challenge is headquartered at the IT University http://www.it-univ.se/?lang=en- a joint initiative by KTHhttp://www.kth.se/eng/(The Royal Institute of Technology) and Stockholm University http://www.su.se/english . It is managed by a consortium that also includes the City of Stockholm, Ericsson and Sida, the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency.

For more information, please contact: Project Manager Ulla Skid��n ulla.skiden@stockholmchallenge.se Telephone: + 46 8 7904469 Cell: +46 70 678 72 82

www.stockholmchallenge.se http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/

*Rules for participation in the Stockholm Challenge Award 2006http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/show_facts.asp?IdNr=3 *

These are the basic rules for the participation in the Stockholm Challenge Award. All competing projects must:

1. Include ICT Illustrate how ICT is used to create new or better traditional services and/or products, which are beneficial for human and social development.

2. Be implemented All competing projects must be up and running. They should be implemented/piloted since no less than three months. The Stockholm Challenge Award does not accept drafted concepts and ideas only. The jury will only evaluate and compare projects that can show measurable outcomes and impact.

3. Be linked to and/or supported by an established private or public organisation.

4. Be verifiable, i.e. able to present credible references.

5. Be free from religious, political or other personal beliefs.

*To be noted:*

*Projects that have won one of the Challenge categories in previous years cannot enter the competition again.*

*All applications must be in English*

*Evaluation criteriahttp://www.stockholmchallenge.se/show_facts.asp?IdNr=4 *

Innovation, creativity and the convergence of ICT with many different disciplines are some of the qualities that are looked for in the competing projects. The jury, a group of international senior experts, base their evaluation on the following criteria, most of which all Challenge projects should meet:

*Innovation* Competing projects should illustrate new and innovative ways of using ICT to improve the living and economical conditions especially of those with great needs.

*Convergence* The addition of ICT as a tool to traditional development work can improve and widen the scope of the project impact. Projects should show successful convergences of different disciplines and sectors.

*Inclusion* It is favourable for the competing projects to show that they bring individuals, groups and local organisations into larger communities �C national and global - such as medical, government, educational and cultural networks, as well business environments.

*Equal Opportunity* It is important that the initiatives counteract inequality related to the likes of gender, origin, age, physical and/or mental disabilities.

*Sustainability* An important factor is sustainability. Not only economic sustainability, i.e. how long the project will last and bring benefits to its users. Sustainability also includes the contribution of the project to a sustainable society and environment at large.

*Opportunities http://www.stockholmchallenge.se/show_facts.asp?IdNr=2*

To enter a project in the Stockholm Challenge Award is not only to participate in a prestigious international ICT competition - it is also a way to join networks of some of the best ICT entrepreneurs and pioneers in the world. Testimonials from many of the projects, which have competed in their respective categories over the years, say that it is the inspiration, the new ideas, contacts and partners that are the greatest rewards for a Challenger.

The Stockholm Challenge represents excellent marketing through the exposure to media, and to private and public organizations that are involved in ICT work and implementations. It gives promotional opportunities for entrepreneurs, universities, cities, cities and regions. The Stockholm Challenge Final Events include a Best Practice Exhibition and a Conference. It is a meeting place for some the world's most successful IT entrepreneurs.

Winners and finalists of the Stockholm Challenge are global role models for cities, companies, organisations, schools and others who are involved in adapting and spreading the use of ICT.