Introduction PICNIC Green Challenge, fuelled by the Postcode Lottery

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Marleen Stikker, Co-Founder PICNIC

‘PICNIC is aimed at people who care about the future and want to play a role in shaping it’. Therefore we are very happy to announce our partnership with the Dutch Postcode Lottery, or in Dutch ‘de Nationale Postcode Loterij’.The Postcode Lottery is Holland’s biggest and most popular charitable lottery. Over 2 million Dutch people play this lottery monthly with more than 4 million tickets and 50% of every ticket sold goes directly to various charitable organisations. The Postcode Lottery supports a wide range of organisations such as World Food Programme, STOP AIDS NOW, Greenpeace and Amnesty International. Since its launch 17 years ago the Postcode Lottery has paid out 2.3 billion euros to its beneficiaries. The Postcode Lottery is now also active in Sweden and the UK.

Ellen Damsma, managing director of the Dutch Postcode Lottery

We are also very happy with our partnership with PICNIC 2007. We believe that our two organisations really ‘match’ as we too are always looking for innovative, creative and action-oriented partners that care for the world around them.

Sustainability is a very important issue for both PICNIC and the Postcode Lottery. Can innovation and creativity from new economy players really change the tides? Last December, former US President Bill Clinton visited the Postcode Lottery in the Netherlands to share his views on the global issue of climate change.

Following these words by Bill Clinton, the Postcode Lottery and PICNIC are joining hands to make it possible for this ‘new economy’ to present itself and to flourish. We will therefore launch a new, friendly competition on June 1st next. We hope to tap into the global brain of the creative industry to help solve the climate problems of the planet: The PICNIC Green Challenge, fuelled by the Postcode Lottery.

Although we are still working very hard to get everything in place for June 1st, we wanted to announce this challenge today as it is going to be an important part of PICNIC 2007.

With this challenge we aim to stimulate a breakthrough in the issue of climate change from ‘new’ economy players who have innovative solutions.
The PICNIC Green Challenge is meant for people who are able to instigate change; creative and innovative thought leaders and their organisations.

We are looking for products and services that contribute to an eco-friendly lifestyle, directly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and score highly on convenience, quality and design.

The best idea will win 500,000 euros in capital to execute the winning plan. And this prize money is provided by the Postcode Lottery.

Marleen Stikker:

Apart from this capital we will also provide coaching by leading entrepreneurs or companies and a starting list of customers. PICNIC 2007 will also provide ample networking opportunities for the shortlisted candidates.

So make sure you check our website, from June 1st you can read everything about the challenge on it, including the aims and the criteria.

Ellen, I would like to thank you very much for being here today to present the challenge. We are looking forward to working together and make the most of our partnership.