The United Nations' global development network has allocated one million dollars for tech-savvy and innovative youth that will develop homegrown solutions helpful in the fight against the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has granted the funding to the Ministry of Innovation & Technology to be channeled to partner agencies and organisations that are implementing different approaches to preventing and controlling the spread of the virus.

The funding will go to professional associations and academics, individuals, groups and institutions that come up with inventive ideas as well as prototypes and designs for the prevention of COVID-19. The Ministry, which promotes the research and execution of technologies to enhance and develop the country’s technological reforms, will facilitate the technical, financial and raw material supports for selected winners.

"It can make a big difference in the fight against COVID-19," said Turhan Saleh, UNDP resident representative.

A total of 446 individuals, groups and institutions have presented their designs and prototypes to prevent the spread of the virus between April 16 and April 24, 2020. Mechanical ventilators, touch-free hand washing machines and robots that deliver door-to-door service are among the proposed products. Contenders should be Ethiopian citizens and should source the inputs and raw materials from the local market.

The proposals are under review by the Technology & Innovation Institute, Ethiopian Biotechnology Institute, Information Network Security Agency (INSA), Ethiopian Public Health Institute (EPHI) and the Ministry.

The technical evaluation findings will be presented to senior management of the Ministry and UNDP, according to Turhan.

"Then the UNDP will release the grants to the winners," said Turhan.

The maximum estimated cost for a project is 40,000 dollars, but can be adjusted if it needs improvement, according to Sandokan Debebe, director-general at the Technology & Innovation Institute, which was established for the research and development of technological innovations.

"Some of the proposed programmes are innovative but not scientific," said Sandokan, "so our staff are helping the applicants change the prototype to be scientific."