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IncentivesGround-Potentialising Challenge

Ground-Potentialising Challenge — Rules

Purpose: Rules and rewards for the field research challenge.

🎯 Challenge Overview

The Ground-Potentialising Challenge rewards teams and individuals who conduct deep, ethical field research and document their findings with evidence and insight.

Winner announced at: The Refinery (Dec 09)

📋 Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for this prize, you must submit at least one high-quality sensing entry that includes:

Minimum Requirements

  • ✅ 3 photos showing the problem context, people, and place
  • ✅ 3 direct quotes from people affected by the problem
  • ✅ 200-300 word reflection on what you learned and why it matters
  • ✅ Consent documentation for all identifiable people
  • ✅ Video or audio evidence (60-120 seconds)

Submission deadline: Dec 08, 2025 (day before The Refinery)

🏆 Prize

Winner receives:

  • 💰 Local prize (₦20,000 cash or equivalent voucher)
  • 🎓 1 mentorship hour with industry expert of your choice
  • 🎤 Speaking slot at The Refinery to share your research
  • 📜 Certificate of Excellence in field research

Runner-up receives:

  • 💰 ₦10,000 cash or voucher
  • 🎓 30-minute mentor session

📊 Judging Criteria

Submissions are judged on three main criteria:

1. Depth of Interviews (40%)

What judges look for:

  • Multiple perspectives (vendors, customers, officials, etc.)
  • Specific, detailed quotes (not generic statements)
  • Evidence of follow-up questions and probing
  • Understanding of root causes, not just symptoms

Good example:

Interviewed 11 people including vendors, former collector, market manager, and customers. Quotes show specific economics (₦50-100/day willingness to pay) and root cause (payment coordination, not unwillingness).

Poor example:

Talked to 2 vendors who said “waste is a problem.”

2. Diversity of Sources (30%)

What judges look for:

  • Different stakeholder groups represented
  • Both those affected and those who tried to solve it
  • Range of perspectives (not just people who agree)
  • Evidence of seeking out contradictory views

Good example:

Sources include: vendors (those affected), former collector (failed solution), market manager (authority), customers (indirect impact), recycling cooperative (potential partner).

Poor example:

Only interviewed vendors in one section of the market.

3. Clarity of Problem (30%)

What judges look for:

  • Clear articulation of who, what, where, why
  • Specific numbers and details
  • Root cause identified (not just symptoms)
  • Evidence-backed claims

Good example:

“200+ vendors at Sabon Gari Market generate 200-400 bags of plastic waste daily. Individual collection costs ₦200/day (too expensive), and previous collective system failed due to payment coordination issues. Blocked drains cause 30-40% revenue loss during rainy season.”

Poor example:

“The market has a waste problem that affects people.”

✅ Submission Checklist

Before submitting, ensure you have:

  • Minimum 3 photos with descriptive captions
  • Minimum 3 direct quotes with attribution and context
  • 200-300 word reflection answering:
    • What did you learn?
    • Why does this matter?
    • What surprised you?
    • What are your next steps?
  • Consent documentation for all identifiable people
  • Video/audio evidence (60-120 seconds minimum)
  • Proper file naming (YYYYMMDD_type_description)
  • Uploaded to Drive in your team/individual folder
  • Submitted via form before deadline

💡 Tips for Winning

What Makes a Winning Entry

✅ Go deep, not wide:

  • Better to deeply understand one problem than superficially cover many
  • Follow-up questions reveal root causes
  • Spend 2+ hours in the field, not 30 minutes

✅ Show your thinking:

  • Document what surprised you (assumptions that were wrong)
  • Explain why this matters to real people
  • Be honest about what you don’t understand yet

✅ Evidence quality matters:

  • Photos show context, not just close-ups
  • Quotes are specific, not generic
  • Reflection shows deep thought, not surface observations

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Don’t:

  • Interview only people who agree with your solution
  • Skip the reflection (just listing facts)
  • Take photos without consent
  • Paraphrase quotes instead of recording exact words
  • Submit at the last minute without review

📅 Important Dates

  • Now - Dec 08: Conduct field research and submit entries
  • Dec 08: Submission deadline (11:59 PM)
  • Dec 09: Winners announced at The Refinery
  • Dec 09: Winner presents their research (5-minute slot)

🔗 Related Resources

Ready to compete? Start your field research using the Individual Sensing Template.

Questions? Check the FAQ or ask in the community channel.

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