Social innovation is one of the key focal points in the work of the Ageas Foundation in Portugal. And the foundation’s engagement in social innovation takes many forms. In 2020, in addition to being a partner of the Junior Achievement Europe’s annual competition, the Foundation contributed one of the signature awards supported by an Ageas Jury.
This 31st “Company of the Year” competition was hosted this year by Lisbon in a first ever virtual event. The Ageas Foundation gave a special “Social Innovation Award” aimed at distinguishing the best of the best in a category highlighting innovative solutions or products with a high impact on people and communities.
If we give these young entrepreneurs the right to learn and to participate in implementing their ideas, we confirm the potential of them being present changemakers. By creating leadership opportunities empowering fellow youth, we can build a generation of ignited minds and inspired leaders.
The winner of the “Ageas Social Innovation Award” was the mini-company Tensopathy, a team from Turkey, focused on improving the quality of life of patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment. They provide a solution for those affected by numbness-neuropathy at their fingertips, a side effect of the treatment. The winning project stood out not just because it represented an innovative solution to a very real problem, but also because it reflected so clearly one of the UN Sustainable Development Goals - Good Health & Wellbeing. The good news is that the project is already being patented worldwide.
About the Ageas Foundation
The Ageas Foundation in Portugal mobilises volunteers from employees, partners, agents and their families supporting programmes that contribute to local communities in the areas of Health, Education and Inclusion.