ICTA recently announced that two of the ‘e-Swabhimani’ – Digital Social Impact Awards nominees have been shortlisted under the ‘Young Innovators Category’, at the World Summit Awards 2021.
Since 2009, over the past 11 years, ‘e-Swabhimani’- Digital Social Impact Awards has successfully brought to light the best local talents, encouraging them to greater heights by recognizing social causes that positively impact people’s lives. In addition, ‘e-Swabhimani Awards’ serves as a platform to take the best applications to the international level.
World Summit Awards is a unique awards system, which recognizes and promotes local digital innovation to improve society. Combining an ongoing series of international events and activities with a global network of start-ups, social entrepreneurs, mentors, jurors, speakers, experts, government leaders, academia and civil society. WSA is an international platform for cutting edge examples of how ICT can impact society in a positive way. WSA is a quality seal for digital content with societal impact in over 182 participating countries.
Coco Remedy and Olai Shop were shortlisted under the ‘Young Innovators Category’ from over 377 candidates from 85 countries.
Coco Remedy is the first mobile and web-based application in Sri Lanka that provides surveillance and identification of coconut diseases and pest infestations. Coco Remedy uses mobile and web-based software to manage Weligama Coconut Leaf Wilt Disease (WCLWD) and Coconut Caterpillar Infestation (CCI), which devastate coconut cultivation. This innovative application provides a method for early detection and fast communication across stakeholders, which will eventually help in sustainable coconut production and processing. The research for the solution has been jointly conducted with the collaboration of the Coconut Research Institute of Sri Lanka (CRISL).
Launched in 2019, Olai Shop is an online platform that designs and sells Palmyrah products, mainly Handcrafts and edibles. The products ordered online are delivered in eco-friendly packaging, which can also be customized according to a customer’s needs. Olai Shop is not just an e-commerce platform but a business that is on a path towards reigniting a fast-fading culture and tradition of the Northern Penisula.
It is also noteworthy that these sustainable and eco-friendly palmyra-based products can replace many plastic products used in everyday life, from mats to baskets of all kinds. Launching Olai shop has empowered many local artisans to earn a living while developing an eco-friendly business for positive social impact.
The ‘e-Swabhimani Awards Ceremony’ is scheduled to be held in February 2022.
