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Hyundai And UNDP Mark One Year Parnership, Shows Off Projects, Including Solar Tricycle, e-Cycles
Hyundai Motor Company and UNDP mark one year of their ‘for Tomorrow’ global project for Sustainable Global Innovations.
The project was aimed at turning their proposals for sustainable local innovations into globally impactful initiatives.
The project has also shared more than 72 grassroots sustainability innovations from 44 countries.
Hyundai Motor Company and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are celebrating one year of their partnership through the “for Tomorrow” global project.
The project was aimed at spreading messages of sustainability to people around the world and turning their proposals for sustainable local innovations into globally impactful initiatives.
Over the past year, for Tomorrow, via 91 UNDP Accelerator Labs in 115 countries, has connected innovators from around the globe to solve local challenges by making cities more inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.
Since its inception in September 2020 at the 75th UNGA, the for Tomorrow initiative has promoted over 72 grassroots innovators in 44 countries globally by sharing their stories and allowing them to connect through the platform with other innovators.
Marking the one-year anniversary, Hyundai Motor and the UNDP Accelerator Labs virtually hosted the livestreamed event, Dialogue for Tomorrow, during the 76th annual United Nations General Assembly on September 29.
“At UNDP, we believe bottom-up innovations are critical if we want to accelerate progress towards the Global Sustainable Development Goals,” said Joseph D’Cruz, the UNDP Special Advisor for Strategic Planning and Innovation.
“We designed this one-year anniversary to connect the members of the for Tomorrow community, strengthen the bonds that hold us together, and foster solutions that are driving the much needed change in cities and communities around the world.”
Thomas Schemera, Hyundai Motor Company Executive Vice President and Global Chief Marketing Officer, said:
“Celebrating one year of the for Tomorrow platform is a meaningful milestone for our entire team. We’ve had the opportunity to review, engage and enable innovators who have worked diligently to create a more sustainable future across the globe.
As a sustainable tomorrow can’t be achieved without a concerted effort, we’re thrilled to have played a role in creating a platform that cultivates civic innovations and corporate citizenship on a global scale.”
The Dialogue for Tomorrow was part of the UNDP’s annual official events schedule as well as an official part of the UN Innovation Network Program during the UNGA.
The various grassroots solutions submitted to the for Tomorrow project include:
Solar Tuk Tuk
A solution that transforms motorcycle taxis in Central America into solar-powered electric vehicles. It helps in reducing CO2 emissions and noise pollution
Solar e-Cycles
A solar powered electric cargo tricycles in Kenya for those with mobility needs, access to electricity and revenue
Imagination Solar Car
Sierra Leone’s first locally made solar powered car, built with bamboo sticks and outfitted with a large solar panel to promote clean and pollution-free transportation
Informal DIY Remote Gas Stations
A mobile gas stations in Indonesia’s rural areas created with jerrycans and other recyclable materials to address the shortage of rural gas stations
“These solutions come from people, bottom up, which are informal, organic and creative, but also sustainable, practical, resilient and holistic,” said Paola Constantino, Head of Solutions Mapping for the UNDP Accelerator Lab in Guatemala.
