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Segunda-Feira, 19 de Janeiro de 2015

Pedro Nunes Institute and Vodafone Portugal launch apps competition for the voluntary sector

At a time when the aging of the Portuguese population is becoming more acute, both at the bottom of the age pyramid with the decline in the young population and at the top with the increase in the elderly population due to increased longevity, Vodafone Portugal and the Pedro Nunes Institute have launched a competition to develop apps for the voluntary sector.

This initiative will reward apps and technological solutions created via the eVida platformthat meet real needs previously identified by voluntary sector organisations (e.g. for monitoring the taking of medicines among other things). This platform is part of the TICE.Healthy project based at the Pedro Nunes Institute which develops, integrates and tests innovative technological approaches that could serve as the basis of new products and services in the health and quality of life area.

The competition is open to individuals or groups who wish to develop apps that could be integrated into the eVida platform and, as a result, exploit an idea or implement a business plan. Applications can be individual or presented by teams (with a maximum of 5 members).

Four winning apps will be chosen, which will receive total prize money of 15,000 euros divided between the first place winner (5000 euros), the second (3000 euros) and the third (2000 euros) in the “Challenge” category, and a single winner (5000 euros) in the “Innovation” category. One of the apps will also have the opportunity to participate in a one-year incubation programme at Vodafone Labs Lisbon.

Applications can be entered at https://devchallengeinfo.evida.ptuntil 27 February and will be judged by a panel of experts. The four winning apps will be announced in March 2015.

This initiative is the result of interest by the Pedro Nunes Institute and Vodafone Portugal in encouraging and promoting the development of technological solutions that could contribute to improving the efficiency of services provided by voluntary sector organisations, and improving the quality of life of their beneficiaries.

This prize is a further step in Vodafone’s efforts to develop apps that improve people’s quality of life and demonstrate substantial public benefit. Another example of this are the Mobile For Good Awards which Vodafone organises in partnership with AGE Platform Europe and the European Disability Forumwhich promote the development of mobile apps in the areas of health, accessibility, education and mobility in public services and which distribute a total of 200,000 euros in prize money.