WAFA - CBS Global Case Study Competition
ON Nature-Based & Community Innovation
ONLINE - 14 APRIL 2026 at 14:00 CET
IN COLLABORATION WITH
CALLING ALL UNIVERSITY STUDENTS, PROFESSORS, CLIMATE/SUSTAINABILITY ORGANIZATIONS, & GRASSROOT COMMUNITIES
This Case Study is a collaboration between CBS and WAFA to connect research institution to real-world problem solving around Bottom of the Pyramid (BoP) Nature-Based Solutions and Community Innovations.
The initiative blends academic insight, practitioner expertise, and experiential learning, while offering students an opportunity to participate in a global innovation challenge.
This Case Study will be participated by 10+ universities globally
REGISTRATION OPEN UNTIL
13 APRIL 23.59 CET
By registering, you agree to the terms and privacy policy.
Interactive Workshop & Keynote Sessions
WAFA Program Manager Sustainability Consultant
WAFA Program Manager, Sustainability Consultant Expert in change and program management focused on circular economy and sustainability,
with proven leadership and research experience through Global Projects.
TOPIC: Greening the desert, Permaculture project, Jordan
Associate Professor
Jacobo’s research explores how energy transitions can be just, inclusive, and sustainable in fragile and contested contexts.
He investigates what social justice means in the pluriverse, where many worlds coexist, and how businesses can respect human rights while navigating uncertainty.
TOPIC: BoP Impact Alignment Framework (a practical canvas for case analysis)
Associate professor since 2009
UFPR Graduate Business School
Associate Professor since 2009 UFPR Graduate Business School Academic leader and AI researcher with a PhD from the University of Birmingham, currently a Professor at UFPR and Guest Researcher at ITU-Copenhagen specializing in AI for Business and Climate.
TOPIC: Capabilities of Bottom of the Pyramid Organizations
GAMIFIED TEAM-BASED CHALLENGE
Participants are split into categories (breakout rooms).
Teams work on a guided case challenge.
Focus on solution design, impact logic, and feasibility.
TEAM PRESENTATION
5 minutes per team
Focused on:
Problem Understanding,
Innovation & Impact,Practical Applicability
WHAT’S NEXT?
THE CASE STUDY COMPETITION & SUBMISSION BY APRIL 30th
After presentation, students will be formally introduced to the Case Study Competition framework, including objectives, guidelines, timelines, and assessment criteria.
Students will be granted access to WAFA Sustainability PLATFORM.
Students will have up to 48 hours of total working time to develop and submit their case study solutions.
Submission is required to be part of the competition and winner will be announced on 26 May 2026
Winner will present their result live at GENERATION GREEN event in Cairo in Summer 2026.
CATEGORIES AVAILABLE
Students will select their preferred challenge areas from the following four thematic categories:
Each participant will indicate:
One primary category (1st preference)
One secondary category (2nd preference)
CASE STUDY TRACK:
To ensure academic flexibility and inclusivity, students may choose between team-based or individual participation.
Option 1: Team-Based Case Study Track
Students will be organized into interdisciplinary teams of 5–6 participants.
Within each thematic category, teams will choose from a selection of predefined case briefs, derived from WAFA 2026 shortlisted award projects.
Each team will select one case and develop a collective solution in accordance with the provided academic guidelines and deliverables.
Option 2: Individual Case Study Track
Students may elect to complete the case study individually.
The same thematic categories, case briefs, assessment criteria, and submission requirements as the team-based track will apply.
All analysis, outputs, and final submissions must be completed independently.
BENEFITS FOR PARTICIPATION
GAIN GRASSROOTS
INNOVATION & KNOWLEDGE
Learn about real life bottom of pyramid projects and understand how academia work links to real life projects.
GAIN CERTIFICATION
ALL Participants who will submit their case study application will receive a certificate after the winners' announcement.
EXPOSURE TO GLOBAL NETWORK & PRESENT IN GENERATION GREEN,
CAIRO FOR WINNER
Learn about global sustainability platform
And how to be part of global network.
GENERATION GREEN 2026 CAIRO, EGYPT
Winner will present their innovation in GENERATION GREEN Forum in Cairo, Summer 2026 alongside our Silent Heroes and received recognition of innovation, sustainability impact, and implementation potential together with Silent Heroes on the ground, setting up an actual collaboration.
They will have opportunity to showcase the research results with global community & receive media exposure.
REGISTRATION OPEN UNTIL 13 APRIL 23.59 CET
COMMITMENT FEE: 10 EURO
By registering, you agree to the terms and privacy policy.
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