AC-REP Gamechangers Awards

Economic vitality

A Gamechanger in Economic Vitality demonstrates the following criteria:

• Economic Transformation: They introduce substantial changes to the economic landscape, driving the region towards new and lucrative industries, diversifying the local economy, and creating jobs.
• Industry Leadership: Projects or individuals position the region as a leader or hub in a particular sector, attracting businesses, talent, and investments from across the globe, resulting in a vibrant ecosystem that fosters innovation, collaboration, and entrepreneurship.
• Job Creation: Projects or individuals stimulate job growth by generating employment opportunities across various skill levels. It can lead to the creation of both direct jobs within the industry and indirect jobs in supporting sectors.

• Increased Investment: Projects or individuals that attract significant investments from local and international sources. This influx of capital can be used to expand infrastructure, support startups, improve education and workforce development, and enhance the overall business environment.
• Quality of Life Enhancement: Gamechangers have a positive effect on the region and their community, such as improved infrastructure, enhanced amenities, increased cultural offerings, and a higher overall quality of life for residents.

Inclusivity 

A Gamechanger in this category acknowledges a dedication to creating an environment where everyone can thrive, regardless of factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, age, location, or circumstances. The recipient is chosen based on the following principles:

• Integration of Inclusivity: They seamlessly incorporate inclusive practices into all facets of their operations rather than treating it as a distinct initiative.
• Community-Centered Engagement: They actively involve community members most affected by existing systems, using their insights to inform practical solutions for better outcomes.
• Collaborative Approach: They prioritize collaboration with community members, involving them in the planning and execution of necessary changes.
• Innovative Strategies: They showcase innovative approaches and strategies that advance economic and social advancement for all.

Innovation

A Gamechanger in Innovation includes several of the following criteria:

• Originality and uniqueness: They demonstrate a significant departure from existing solutions or approaches by introducing new ideas, concepts, or methods that have the potential to disrupt and transform the economic landscape.
• Impact and scalability: They exhibit the potential for substantial economic impact, both in generating economic growth and creating employment opportunities to be replicated in different contexts or sectors.
• Market potential and competitiveness: They show commercial viability and market potential to address a real market need through competitive advantage, creating new marketings, or significantly improving existing ones.
• Entrepreneurial spirit and leadership: They are driven by visionary leadership and an entrepreneurial spirit and should reflect qualities such as risk-taking, perseverance, creativity, and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Measurable outcomes and evidence of success: They display tangible outcomes, results, or prototypes that showcase their effectiveness through data, metrics, or qualitative evidence substantiating their achievements.

Sustainability

A Gamechanger in Sustainability demonstrates the following criteria:

• Environmental Impact: They consider factors such as reduced greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency, waste management, water conservation, use of renewable resources, and preservation of local ecosystems.
• Innovation and Technology: They promote innovative projects that leverage cutting-edge technology to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the overall sustainability of the community.
• Collaboration and Partnerships: They recognize projects that leverage partnerships to achieve shared sustainability goals and maximize positive impacts.
• Education and Awareness: They raise awareness and educate the community about sustainability issues and practices.
• Measurable Impact: Projects produce tangible and measurable outcomes to create sustainable solutions. They consider metrics such as energy or resource savings, waste reduction, carbon footprint reduction, increased employment opportunities, or improved quality of life.
• Scalability and Replicability: They demonstrate the potential for the project to be scaled up or replicated in other communities or regions. The project offers transferable lessons, best practices, or innovative models that can inspire similar sustainability initiatives.
• Long-term Planning and Vision: Projects align with long-term sustainability goals for the community or region with a clear vision for the future, well-defined objectives, strategies, and plans for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, and adaptation.
• Leadership and Commitment: They demonstrate strong leadership and commitment to go above and beyond to achieve sustainability objectives.