World Chambers Competition to recognise chambers building back better

  • 23 February 2021

Hamad Buamim, Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce’s (ICC) World Chambers Federation (WCF) has officially launched the World Chambers Competition. The 2021 edition of the Competition will recognise chambers of commerce around the world that are striving to keep their business communities functioning even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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The sudden coronavirus outbreak led to unprecedented disruption and hardship for many businesses across the world, particularly small- and medium-sized enterprises. However, chambers of commerce globally have been stepping up to provide tools and resources to help business communities survive and build resilience during the challenging period.

The World Chambers Competition is the only award-winning programme of its kind to acknowledge the pioneering initiatives undertaken by chambers around the world. In a video message sent to the global chamber network, Mr Buamim said:

“Our global chambers’ network has been resilient, standing strong in the face of these challenges. [I], along with the rest of the ICC World Chambers Federation, commend [those chambers] efforts in helping [their] business communities stay afloat.”

The 2021 edition comprises four categories, including one new distinction, Best Resilience Project. These categories include:

  • Best Resilience Project: This category recognises chambers that have created innovative resilience initiatives to combat the economic and health consequences associated with the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes but is not limited to technology programmes, digital platforms, risk and crisis management support, and business continuity guidelines that are designed to benefit their communities.
  • Best Digital Project: This category recognises chambers that have created innovative tech solutions for any services, including for example member retention or certificates of origin programmes that have disrupted the traditional way of doing business for themselves and/or their community.
  • Best Climate Action Project: This category recognises chambers that have developed projects in support of bold action to tackle climate change and that help their members and community meet today’s climate change challenges.
  • Best Unconventional Project: This category recognises chambers that have developed unique and pioneering projects in an activity not typically associated with their everyday mission and objectives while increasing job creation to enhance local economies.

Chambers of commerce have until 3 June 2021 to submit their innovative initiatives to the Competition. An international jury, comprising ICC WCF leadership along with representatives—from transnational, national and local chambers of commerce, as well as recognised international organisations—is responsible for shortlisting category finalists who will go on to present their respective projects during the ICC WCF World Chambers Congress. The biennial event is co-organised by Dubai Chamber of Commerce & Industry and is set to take place from 23-25 November 2021.

For chambers looking to participant in the global concours, all projects can be submitted via the World Chambers Competition Platform.