European Innovation Council Horizon Prize on Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid
What was the Horizon Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid Prize?
The European Commission launched the Horizon Prize: ‘Affordable High-Tech for Humanitarian Aid’ in November 2017.
This EIC (European Innovation Council) Horizon Prize rewarded the best, proven, cost-effective, technology-based solutions for humanitarian aid in five categories: shelter and related assistance; water, hygiene and sanitation; energy; health and medical care; and an open category.
This challenge was funded by
Innovation can help us deliver better and more effective aid to people most in need. The technologies recognised today are a great testament to that.
It is encouraging to see the great diversity of actors and new partnerships for innovation, from start-up companies to existing humanitarian organisations.
I hope this award serves to support the scaling and broad adoption of these innovations in humanitarian work around the world.
The winners
-
Shelter and related assistance
LHP, developed by the South African SME Lumkani, is a low-cost solution providing community-wide alerts for fires in settlements such as slums or refugee camps.
-
Water, hygiene and sanitation
LORAWAN monitoring by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) offers real-time solutions for remote monitoring of water tankers and reservoirs to improve the effectiveness of water trucking programming globally.
-
Energy
BRIGHT Move by the Norwegian SME Bright Products AS provides refugees with light and energy thanks to an affordable, recyclable and rapidly deployable phone charging device combined with a solar lantern.
-
Health and medical care
TeReFa, developed by the French non-profit organisation Handicap International, provides affordable, high quality prosthetic and orthotic devices produced through digital and 3D scanning and printing technologies.
-
Open Category
Odyssey2025, developed by the French non-profit organisation Handicap International, deploys drones to improve the efficiency and safety of land release in mine clearance (allowing the land to be used again), while reducing costs and ensuring sustainability.
These innovations clearly show how physical technologies such as sensors, solar panels or additive manufacturing can be combined with digital technologies to help those desperately in need, empower them, and improve resilience. I am very pleased to award this Prize both to well-established humanitarian organisations and to young, innovative companies that are dedicated to improving people’s lives.
Other horizon prizes
-
![Medication capsules and tablets]()
Horizon Prize for Better Use of Antibiotics
Improving antibiotics prescribing and reducing AMR through diagnostic tests.
-
![Air pollution in Prague]()
Horizon Prize for the Reduction of Air Pollution Materials
Seeking the most affordable, sustainable and innovative design-driven material solution able to reduce the concentration of particulate matter in urban areas.
