As the 2024 Social Logistics Challenge comes to a close, we are pleased to announce our Winning Teams!

This year’s competition has been a tremendous success, with significant growth across the board. We saw a double in our submissions, almost doubling last year’s with an increase from 38.71% to 60.38%.

• 64 Teams submitted proposals, representing
• 228 students
• 30 schools
• 21 countries (across Africa, Asia, Europe, North & South America) 

In addition to these exciting metrics, the range of projects submitted this year reflects students’ creativity and commitment to tackling diverse issues. We received:

The Top 5 Teams presented their projects to an international panel of judges, who are industry experts in humanitarian supply chain and logistics, on October 30th and 31st. The sessions allotted 10 minutes for student teams to present their idea and 15 minutes for exclusive Q&A from the judges.

Thanks to our Sponsors, a $5,000 scholarship prize will be awarded to the 1st place team, and $1,000 to the 2nd and 3rd place teams.

Deliverables

Each team prepared a Solutions Package that incorporates both written and visual elements. Teams applied logistical knowledge and training to improve a societal access problem. In additional students identified a region or community of this problem, the multiple stakeholders involved, and how this solution supports one of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. Each team developed a unique and implementable solution within in a locally-relevant context. Teams were encouraged to identify any technological disruptions within the problem and/or illustrate the role of technology in their solution.

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1st Place

Bulaksumur Consulting introduces Resilient360, an innovative solution designed to enhance Indonesia’s disaster management capabilities, particularly in response to its frequent natural disasters. With thousands of earthquakes recorded from 2000 to 2020, the need for a robust response system is critical. Resilient360 utilizes IoT sensors and AI-powered predictive analytics to create a proactive early warning system, delivering location-based alerts to governments and communities before disasters occur.

The platform emphasizes public education through materials that raise awareness of disaster preparedness. Key features include GPS tracking for real-time monitoring and a centralized intervention module for coordinated responses. The use of drone technology for post-disaster logistics—conducting aerial assessments and delivering essential supplies—sets Resilient360 apart.

This comprehensive approach aims to save lives, minimize damage, and foster community resilience. The platform targets local and national governments, NGOs, and community organizations, generating revenue through contracts and subscriptions. By aligning with multiple UN Sustainable Development Goals, including sustainable cities, climate action, and health, Resilient360 aspires to transform Indonesia’s disaster management landscape.

SDG Goals:

9: Decent Work and Economic Growth

11: Sustainable Cities and Communities

17: Partnerships for the Goals

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2nd Place

Team Abyssinia introduces FITS (Farmers Integrated Trading System), an innovative platform designed to empower Ethiopian farmers facing numerous challenges. By leveraging blockchain and AI technologies, FITS creates a transparent marketplace that enables farmers to sell directly to consumers, bypassing exploitative middlemen and ensuring fair pricing.

Key features include a “Harvest Hub” for safe storage of excess produce, which reduces food waste and enhances food security. The platform also addresses limited fertilizer access by negotiating bulk deals with suppliers, ensuring competitive pricing for farmers. Additionally, FITS connects farmers with local transporters, fostering job creation and improving delivery efficiency.

The system is designed to overcome barriers such as infrastructure limitations and low literacy rates through AI-driven support. FITS aims to reach individuals in conflict-affected regions by collaborating with humanitarian organizations. Revenue is generated through membership and transaction fees, ensuring sustainability while focusing on empowering farmers and advancing key UN Sustainable Development Goals, including poverty reduction, hunger alleviation, and responsible consumption.

SDG Goals:
1. No Poverty

2. Zero Hunger

3. Good Health and Well-Being

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3rd Place

Team The Guardians presents maternaCARE, a comprehensive solution to combat high-risk pregnancies in rural India, where nearly half of all pregnancies face significant health risks. The program employs predictive analytics and mobile technology to enhance antenatal and postnatal care delivered by local healthcare workers, such as ASHA, Anganwadi, and ANM.

Operating on a hub-and-spoke model, community health workers gather data that feeds into an AI platform, which analyzes predictors of high-risk pregnancies. This includes clinical and non-clinical factors, enabling timely alerts for healthcare workers to intervene. maternaCARE also includes offline capabilities and support for local languages, ensuring accessibility in underserved regions.

The program envisions incorporating wearable technologies and drones for medical supply delivery. These additions enhance monitoring and response capabilities, addressing the maternal health specialist shortage in remote areas. Overall, maternaCARE aims to significantly improve maternal health outcomes while contributing to various Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in health and well-being.

SDG Goals:

3. Good Health and Well-Being

10. Reduced Inequalities

17. Partnerships for the Goals

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Honorable Mentions

Team Invictus has developed an innovative strategy to tackle the sustainable transport challenges in Nairobi, Kenya, where heavy reliance on privately-operated matatus has resulted in significant congestion, pollution, and safety concerns. The team’s proposal focuses on retrofitting existing matatu fleets to establish a more efficient Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system, avoiding the costs associated with a completely new fleet. By integrating matatu routes with the BRT, the plan optimizes public transportation while utilizing existing infrastructure.

Additionally, the proposal incorporates smart traffic management technologies powered by AI and IoT to enhance operational efficiency and safety. A comprehensive mobile app is also envisioned, offering features such as smart parking, cashless payments, and real-time updates to improve the user experience. To promote environmental sustainability, the team proposes electrifying the matatu fleet, supported by incentives and expanded charging infrastructure.

This multifaceted approach aligns with several UN Sustainable Development Goals, including sustainable cities and communities, industry and infrastructure, and climate action. By leveraging technology and fostering public-private partnerships, Team Invictus aims to create a more inclusive and environmentally friendly transport system in Nairobi.

SDG Goals:

9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

17. Partnerships for the Goals

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WUTeam3 addresses the pressing humanitarian crisis in Burkina Faso, where over 1 million people are cut off from aid due to armed group control of key transportation routes. Traditional helicopter deliveries are both costly and hazardous for aid workers. The team proposes utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to deliver essential supplies like food and medical goods to hard-to-reach areas. With UAV technology having advanced significantly, it offers a cost-effective and flexible alternative to traditional methods, with unit costs between $20,000 and $150,000.

The report outlines a practical operation model where UAVs, launched from a secure location such as Ouagadougou, can reach affected towns within a 200 km radius, enabling multiple daily deliveries. This approach effectively addresses critical issues: funding shortages for air services, safety risks for aid workers, and the inaccessibility of certain areas. Furthermore, the UAV solution aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to ending hunger and promoting health. The report concludes by urging aid organizations to consider UAVs as a viable means to deliver urgent supplies in Burkina Faso’s humanitarian crisis.

SDG Goals:

2. Zero Hunger

3. Good Health and Well-Being

6. Clean Water and Sanitation

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Winners of The Resiliency Initiative Scholarship

In addition to the 1st-3rd place prize money, the teams that best addressed the following question:

“What strategies or initiatives would you propose to help create more resilient communities, especially in the face of natural disasters, social challenges, or economic disruptions?”

will receive a scholarship to attend a Resiliency Academy, a virtual workshop on managing crisis response offered by The Resiliency Initiative. This scholarship opportunity will be available to all team members of the winning team.

The Nine ‘O’ Three team presents FoodLink, an innovative initiative aimed at addressing food insecurity in Mumbai, a city with significant waste and hunger disparities. While 59.7% of slum households face severe food insecurity, surplus food from restaurants and other sources often goes to waste. FoodLink plans to bridge this gap by redistributing surplus food to those in need through community hubs, partnerships, and a phased technology approach.

Initially, community centers and places of worship will serve as distribution points, where food collected from donors will be manually checked and distributed by volunteers. FoodLink’s long-term goal includes leveraging technology, with future plans for a mobile app, blockchain for transparency, and IoT for quality monitoring. The initiative aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals 2, 8, and 12 by combating hunger, promoting responsible consumption, and generating employment. Through FoodLink, Nine ‘O’ Three seeks to transform Mumbai’s food landscape, reducing waste and nourishing vulnerable communities sustainably.

SDG Goals:

2. Zero Hunger

11. Sustainable Cities and Communities

12. Responsible Consumption and Production

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Team Phenomenon’s report examines the Kiteezi rubbish fall incident in Wakiso, Uganda, where a massive pile of waste collapsed following heavy rains, causing a deadly landslide. This tragedy, which resulted in fatalities and extensive property damage, underscores the urgent need for sustainable waste management in Uganda’s urban areas. Poor waste practices, lack of proper facilities, and seasonal rains contributed to the disaster.

In response, Team Phenomenon recommends a holistic approach that includes proper recycling, composting, and waste-to-energy initiatives, coupled with community education and government intervention. They propose introducing tech-driven recycling bins, promoting DIY upcycling projects, and hosting community events to foster awareness and action. By engaging both residents and authorities, Team Phenomenon aims to build a sustainable waste management framework that protects communities, promotes economic growth, and minimizes environmental hazards, ultimately fostering a cleaner, safer future for Wakiso.

SDG Goals:

15. Life on Land

Thank you to all participating Judges for your time and commitment in determining the Top 5 and Winning Teams!

Finals Judges

• 

  Fatima Ait Bendawad

  Head
  Global Humanitarian Logistics Competence Center (GHLCC), DHL
  United Arab Emirates
  
• 

  Roberta Blankson

  Consultant
  African Development Bank
  Ivory Coast (Cote D`Ivoire)
  
• 

  Andrea Davis

  President & CEO
  The Resiliency Initiative
  USA
  
• 

  Andre Kreie

  Director Logistics Education – Emerging & Developing Countries (LEED)
  Kühne Foundation
  Switzerland
  
• 

  Dr. Obiora Madu

  Chairman/CEO
  Multimix Group
  Nigeria
  
• 

  Aziza Menouni

  Researcher
  Katholieke Universiteit of Leuven
  Belgium
  
• 

  Dr. Shereen Nassar

  Associate Professor in logistics and Supply Chain Management
  Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
  United Kingdom
  
• 

  Pamela Steele

  Supply Chain Transformation Director
  Pamela Steele Associates
  United Kingdom
  

2024 Preliminary Judges

• 

  Dr. Kamran Chatha

  Senior Lecturer in Management Science and Operations, Director of Doctoral Programs
  Loughborough Business School, Loughborough University
  United Kingdom
  
• 

  Larry Clay

  Assistant Professor of Business and Management
  Marymount University
  USA
  
• 

  David Elchuk

  Program Officer
  UQ Ventures, University of Queensland
  Australia
  
• 

  Ingrid Greene

  Clinical Professor and Academic Director of the Masters in Global Entrepreneurship and Management
  Loyola Marymount University
  USA
  
• 

  Sandy Hassan

  Assistant Professor
  Heriot Watt University
  United Kingdom
  
• 

  Sherwat Elwan Ibrahim

  Associate Professor of Operations Management & Chair at UN PRME Chapter Africa
  American University in Cairo
  Egypt
  
• 

  Ana Martins

  Associate Professor
  Instituto Universitario de Lisboa, ISCTE-IUL
  Portugal
  
• 

  Dr. Muhammad Shujaat Mubarik

  Associate Professor of Logistics and Supply Chain Management and Head of Research for Marketing & Operations Department
  Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University
  United Kingdom
  
• 

  Lydia Novoszel

  Research Associate, Institute for Transport and Logistics Management
  WU Vienna University of Economics
  Austria
  
• 

  Dr. Zakiya Abdul Samad

  Assistant Professor
  Heriot Watt University
  United Arab Emirates
  
• 

  Jorandi Scholtz

  Impact and Partnership Development Manager – MBA Corporate Engagement
  University of Exeter
  United Kingdom
  
• 

  Laura Steele

  Reader of Business Ethics and Sustainability
  Queen's Business School
  United Kingdom
  
• 

  Ha Ta

  Assistant Professor of Logistics
  Florida International University College of Business
  USA
  
• 

  Jelena Vlajic

  Senior Lecturer & Associate Professor
  Queen's University Belfast
  United Kingdom
  
• 

  Cheyne Wooderson

  Academic Tutor and Doctoral Researcher
  Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University University
  United Kingdom
  

Sponsors

GBSN would like to thank its sponsors for supporting the Social Logistics Competition! Sponsorship is used to fund the Challenge’s prizes, tools, resources, and more, enabling GBSN to build and execute a meaningful virtual learning experience for each cohort of student teams.