Nowadays, there are awards in almost any kind of area. Ranking from very well known awards in the area of pop culture such as the Oscars or the World Music Awards to awards for young academics in various fields. Last week I was made aware of an award in the area of technology that is taking place in Vienna. In an effort to stimulate and advocate the innovative potential of the Viennese technology sector, the ZIT (Centre for Innovation and Technology), Vienna’s technology agency, organises the Content Award 09. Until October 30th, participants can submit contributions in various fields such as computer games, short movies or videos with animated content. There is also a category for innovative concepts with the aim of bringing the city of Vienna closer to its citizens with the usage of broadband technology. The contest has an “Under 18” and a “Fempower” category in order to specifically get young people and women to participate.
Looking at that contest raised the question within me, whether or not such awards would make sense for the Centrope region as well?
Could researchers and creative heads within the region be located and motivated to participate in a contest similar to the Viennese Content Award 09? The aim of such an award should definitely not be to reward the participants with large amounts of money, but rather with the opportunity to be part of future projects and contracts. At least as a short term boost, awards could in my opinion definitely be a helpful impulse and improve the visibility of a region such as Centrope on the map. Especially for young people, awards and competing against other people in the same age group and similar fields of work and interest could help to advocate the existing potential on the market.
I am sure that many capable people in the region are not accessed and supported to their full potential. Measures such as awards or other forms of sponsorships would be an option to find competent people for new projects in the R&D sector. Could awards like the Content Award 09 help to improve the situation or are there other, better ways to locate and support young talents? Are there any similar events taking place in your country and if yes, what is the outcome? Or do you think that there are already enough awards like this one out there?
