Have you got a game-changing idea for improving the communication of development aid?

on 26 March 2012.

The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation have issued a call for proposals for 10 game-changing ideas to improve the communication of the importance and benefits of development aid. This call is part of round 9 of the Grand Challenges Explorations.

Successful proposals will receive $100,000 with the possibility to apply for a follow-up funding of $1,000,000. In addition, the Cannes Lions Chimera, a special panel made up of the best talent across advertising, media, and technology will mentor the winners as they develop their projects. The call closes 15 May 2012.

The call for proposals mentions the following:

If we, as a global community, are to succeed in ending extreme hunger and poverty and improving the health of the poorest, we must find ground-breaking ways to gather and share stories of aid working well. We must bring the data behind those stories to life. And we must do it on a global scale, making it relevant to audiences who are wrestling with tough economic decisions at home.The goal of this challenge is to solicit new approaches to communications that motivate the public in the wealthy countries of the world to change their minds about aid, and take actions to demonstrate their support.

We and others in the development community have traditionally focused on the "why" of aid. But most people already believe it is the right thing to do.  We must do a better job of explaining the "how" and the "what" (How exactly does aid work? Where does the money go? How is it used? What impact does it have on communities?).

For more information, see http://www.grandchallenges.org/pt.