Winners will each receive USD 15,000 to move closer to bringing their idea to fruition. Winners will have the opportunity to meet with potential investors, receive further support and apply for generous grants to develop their idea to the proof of concept stage. Challenge 22 uses the power of hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar, to bring together innovators to explore solutions that could directly benefit Qatar and other hosts of mega-events globally. This cycle, challenges are focused on the four key themes below.

Sustainability

Sustainability and post-tournament legacy use are at the core of our design strategies for 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ stadiums and precincts. Water conservation, waste management, carbon management, renewable energy, environmental protection, urban connectivity, biodiversity and urban ecology are just a few of the means being used to achieve our goal of delivering the most sustainable major sporting event in history. We want creative and cost-effective ideas that will lead to more sustainable outcomes in the design, construction and operational stages of our tournament infrastructure delivery. Ideally, these solutions should have broad applications across a range of infrastructure. We want to benefit the tournament in 2022 and change the world for the better in the decades to come.

Health and Safety

The success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™ hinges on the amazing work being carried out every day by the individuals delivering our stadiums. The SC is committed to safeguarding the welfare of all workers on our projects.

Statistical analysis indicates that a large percentage of accidents on construction sites globally occur due to a lack of understanding of or failure to comply with safety instructions. In many cases, this is due to poor communication. The SC’s workforce is multinational and speaks several different languages, and most workers come from countries with high levels of functional illiteracy.

This presents unique communications challenges requiring innovative solutions. A second area for innovation is the heat and humidity experienced during the summer months in Qatar. Your challenge is to find effective means of monitoring health and hydration during these months and year-round.

Internet of Things

We live in an increasingly connected world, where technology makes it possible to collaborate with people across the globe. Devices and machines that weren’t historically connected to the internet, such as buildings, vehicles and consumer products, can now communicate data and be controlled remotely by users. This is known as the ‘internet of things’.

In 2022, Qatar will host the most connected FIFA World Cup™ in history. Your challenge is to identify ways the internet of things can provide innovative services in journey planning and navigation, crowd control, virtual queues, ‘sport as entertainment’ or sport and health – to improve the health of athletes and the general public – creating a better tournament experience for all.

Tourism Experience

In 2022, fans from around the world will converge on Qatar in a celebration of the beautiful game. It is imperative that we provide our guests with consistently high levels of service, and deliver an amazing experience at every touchpoint. The Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) has identified four types of tourism products and services that will contribute to exceptional visitor experiences, including: culture and heritage products, business events, recreation and sports tourism and urban and family entertainment.

To enhance our existing plans, your challenge is to share unique and exceptional ideas which show visitors from across the globe the beauty of Arab heritage and culture. We want you to create truly memorable experiences which reflect the best of who we are to fans, while contributing to the long-term diversification of the Qatari and regional economies.

Applications can be submitted by individuals or teams of up to four innovators. Teams must select a Team Leader who will submit the application on behalf of the team. Other team members will be known as team members. These titles are for administrative purposes only, and all members of the team have equal status and equal responsibility for the project.

Applicant eligibility

1. All applicants must be at least 18 years of age, and be a legal resident of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Tunisia, Jordan, Morocco or Egypt at the time of application.
2. As Challenge 22 was established to engage the region ahead of the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™, at least one applicant must be of Arab origin. This will be evidenced through current or past citizenship of the applicant or at least one of the applicant’s parents, in one of the following 22 Arab states: Algeria, Iraq, Mauritania, Somalia, Bahrain, Jordan, Morocco, Sudan, Comoros, Kuwait, Oman, Syria, Djibouti, Lebanon, Palestine, Tunisia, Egypt, Libya, Qatar, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Yemen
3. Each applicant may only be associated with one proposal.

For displaced peoples or applicants with refugee status, citizenship for purposes of the Challenge 22 may be evidenced through birth certificates, travel documentation or a government certificate evidencing origin.

Proposal eligibility

Proposals submitted to Challenge 22 must be unique and tailored to the Challenges related to the 2022 FIFA World Cup Qatar™. The proposal must not have been previously submitted to or funded by any other initiative.

The proposal will immediately be disqualified if:

1. it is not written in English or Arabic;
2. it violates intellectual property rights, in part or in whole; and/or
3. it violates the laws of the State of Qatar or of the proposal’s country of origin.

Each proposal will be evaluated independently and should not be part of, or depend on the success of, other proposals.