Arctik is currently supporting the EU-India-TTC-WG2 Ideathon, a collaborative initiative between the European Union and the Indian PSA Office under the Trade and Technology Council, will be officially launched in September through an online webinar. This cross-border Ideathon will bring together startups, businesses, researchers, and sustainability enthusiasts from India and the EU to co-develop solutions for tackling challenges in marine plastic tracking, removal, and prevention. The winning India-EU teams will receive tailored advisory services and cash awards to support the scaling of their impact.
The initiative is open to both individual participants with innovative ideas and established India-EU teams. To support individual participants, an online collaboration phase in September will offer the chance to connect with potential partners from the other region, form India-EU teams, and receive expert guidance to refine their solutions. These teams will pitch their final ideas at a hybrid event ceremony in India by the end of November, where the top three co-created solutions will be recognised and awarded tailored advisory services.
To be eligible, each team must consist of up to six members, ensuring a balanced representation from both India and the EU. During the event, India-EU teams will present their ideas to a jury, who will assess the pitches based on three equally weighted criteria: relevance, innovation, and team quality.
For more details, participants can express their interest and register for the launch event on the official website or contact the organisers via email at eu-india@servicefacility.eu.
About the EU-India-TTC-WG2 Ideathon
The EU-India-TTC-WG2 Ideathon is a joint initiative by the European Union and the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India under the EU-India-Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies, implemented by Global Service Facility (GSF).
About the European Union- India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) Working Group 2
The EU-India Trade and Technology (TTC) was first announced by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, and India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, in April., 2022. Established on 6 February 2023, this strategic coordination mechanism allows both sides to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology, security and deepens cooperation in these fields. Establishing EU- India TTC is a key step towards a strengthened strategic partnership for the benefit of all people in the EU and India.
The TTC is a key forum to deepen the strategic partnership on trade and technology between the two partners. Geostrategic challenges have reinforced the EU and India’s common interest in ensuring security, prosperity and sustainable development based on shared values.
The TTC will help increase EU-India bilateral trade, which is at historical highs, with 120 billion euros worth of goods traded in 2022. In 2022, 17 billion euros of digital products and services were traded.
The TTC consists of three Working Groups:
1. Working Group 1 on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity.
2. Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies; and
3. Working Group 3 on Trade, Investment and Resilient Value Chains.
Working Groups are now jointly working to advance identified objectives and key actions. The matchmaking event launched today is one of the keys agreed short-term actions under Working Group 2 on Green and Clean Energy Technologies. The EU- India TTC Working Group 2 on green and clean energy technologies is being co-chaired from the Indian side by the Office of the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India and from the EU side by the Directorate-General for Research and Innovation of the European Commission.