The Sargassum Innovation Quest is an initiative launched by IDB Lab, in collaboration with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), IDB Invest, and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), to address the challenges posed by massive sargassum influxes affecting the Caribbean, Central America, and Mexico since 2011. This initiative seeks innovative solutions to manage and utilize sargassum biomass, aiming to enhance the resilience of coastal communities in Latin America and the Caribbean through advanced technologies and creative practices.

Focus Areas

The initiative calls for proposals in several key areas:

1. Sargassum Collection Systems: Technologies for efficient and environmentally responsible collection, including floating barriers, specialized vessels, and coastal management systems.
2. Pre-Treatment, Treatment, and Drying Technologies: Methods using renewable energy to dry and prepare sargassum for further processing, including cleaning and debris separation.
3. Transformation and Valorization: Technologies to convert sargassum into valuable products like biogas, bioethanol, fertilizers, and composite materials for various industries, including construction, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
4. Monitoring and Analysis: Use of drones, satellites, and sensors for real-time monitoring, supported by AI and big data to predict and manage sargassum arrivals.
5. Other Innovative Solutions: Proposals that align with the initiative’s goals or combine multiple technologies.

Eligibility and Application

The challenge is open to startups, SMEs, corporations, academia, and NGOs from IDB member countries, particularly those where the project will be implemented (e.g., Mexico, Jamaica, Honduras). Applicants from other countries must partner with an organization from the targeted regions.

Evaluation Criteria

Proposals will be evaluated on technical feasibility, environmental impact, scalability, economic sustainability, innovation, and community participation. The goal is to develop solutions that not only tackle the immediate sargassum problem but also contribute to the long-term economic and environmental resilience of affected regions.