18 chambers make finals of World Chambers Competition

The World Chambers Competition, organised by the ICC World Chambers Federation (WCF), is the only global awards programme of its kind to recognise ground-breaking projects developed by chambers of commerce and industry worldwide.

After receiving 53 applications from 27 countries, an international jury, comprising ICC WCF leadership and representatives from chambers of commerce and other recognised global organisations, selected the 2017 finalists.

The Competition allows chambers, both large and small, to showcase best practices. Commenting on this year’s selection, head of the Competition jury and WCF Honorary Chair Rona Yircali said: “It was an extremely difficult task to shortlist our Competition finalists, as this year’s applicants were particularly strong. Based on the variety of projects submitted, we are very proud to see the chamber network continuing, year after year, to champion their respective communities with new and more advanced innovations for the betterment of all.”

Competing across four categories, the finalists will move on to present their unique projects before a live audience of chamber and business leaders, during the bi-annual World Chambers Congress. The Congress is set to take place in Sydney, Australia from 19-21 September.

2017 World Chambers Competition finalists are:

Best Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) project

• Brazilian Confederation of Trade and Business Associations (Brazil)
• Project: Business Women Empowerment Programme – Brazilian National Council of Business Women

• Herefordshire and Worcestershire Chamber of Commerce (United Kingdom)
• Project: Worcestershire Works Well

• Isfahan Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (Iran)
• Project: New Generation Bright Horizon

• PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (India)
• Project: Water resource management in the dry lands of Rajasthan and Haryana, India, through water harvesting structures

Best job creation and business development project

• Barranquilla Chamber of Commerce (Colombia)
• Project: Barranquilla High-Growth Ecosystem

• Business West Chambers of Commerce (United Kingdom)
• Project: The International Trade Centre

• Mersin Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Turkey)
• Project: Commercial Information and Competitive Intelligence Centre

• Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (The Philippines)
• Project: Trade, Tourism and Investment Promotion

• Shiraz Chamber of Commerce, Industries, Mines and Agriculture (Iran)
• Project: Supporting medicinal plant production and marketing to help farmers affected by drought

Best education and training project

• Bursa Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Turkey)
• Project: Bursa Design and Technology Development Centre (BUTGEM)

• Eskisehir Chamber of Industry (Turkey)
• Project: EIC QualifyWork

• Hamburg Chamber of Commerce (Germany)
• Project: Refugee integration into the labour market

• Whistler Chamber of Commerce (Canada)
• Project: The Whistler Experience

Best unconventional project

• Chamber of Commerce of Guayaquil (Ecuador)
• Project: Cyber Monday

• Chamber of Commerce of Pereira (Colombia)
• Project: El Primer Ladrillo (The First Brick)

• Dubai Chamber of Commerce and Industry (United Arab Emirates)
• Project: Dubai Innovation Index

• Greater Des Moines Partnership (United States)
• Project: Global Insurance Accelerator

• Sao Paulo Chamber of Commerce (Brazil)
• Project: Impostometro (Tax meter)

Competition winners will be announced during the Congress gala dinner, which will be held in Australia’s premier convention centre, ICC Sydney, on 21 September. The four Competition winners will walk away with a cash prize and global recognition from their peers and business members.

To learn more or to register, please visit the World Chambers Congress website.