Marel has signed and agreement with the directors of the Icelandic Youth Innovation Contest to become the main sponsor of the annually held competition.
Marel has signed an agreement with the Icelandic Youth Innovation Contest (Nýsköpunarkeppni Grunnskólanemenda) to become the main sponsor of the annually held competition. This new contract is in line with the company's policy of sponsoring Icelandic youth and educational innovation and science programs.
Paul Johannsson, Youth Innovation Contest, and Larus Asgeirsson, Marel, signed the agreement.
The YIC was established in 1992 with the goal of involving children and teenagers in innovative thought and design. Each year the Icelandic schools have a competition and send their ideas on to the contest. Last year 59 schools entered 2517 ideas from the children. Contest entries are evaluated and 50-60 ideas go to the second round workshops where they can be developed further. Three winners are selected from the finalists to receive cash rewards for their ideas.
Award vinners 2003 with the President of Iceland, Mr. Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson.
Marel will be the main sponsor of the YIC for the next three years, providing the program with the cash rewards and a grant to the operation itself, among other things. Marel will also invite the workshop finalists to its headquarters to introduce innovation and product development to the young inventors.
Paul Johansson, the founder of the competition and a member of its board signed the agreement on behalf of the YIC. According to him, this contract marks a turning point for the contest. “With the sponsorship from Marel secured we can now focus on developing the contest itself and maintain the program we have worked hard to establish,” says Mr. Johansson.