Media Release, November 25
New Delhi

The World Challenge – a competition established to highlight and reward outstanding examples of community enterprise and innovation – has been awarded to Juboken Enterprises from the Philippines. Its innovative solution to the country’s soil erosion problem, known as Coconets, receives a US$20,000 grant from Shell.

The contest is a partnership between BBC World, Shell and Newsweek: 12 projects were shortlisted and profiled on BBC World and in Newsweek earlier this year. A public poll saw more than 120,000 votes cast from all over the world, and Juboken emerged as the clear winner. Malta’s Edible Oil Company and Vanuatu’s Nguna-Pele Rechargeable Battery Project were both named as runners-up.

The prize was presented by Roxanne Decyk, Director of Corporate Affairs, Shell, at a special ceremony at the London Science Museum on Thursday night (17th).

The event was filmed by BBC World for a programme to be shown globally on the channel on Saturday 3rd December at 0730 and 2130 GMT.

Receiving the honour, Justino Arboleda, founder of Juboken Enterprises, said: “I am thrilled to accept this award. To have won The World Challenge competition is a great honour for us and for our country, and we are very proud to have been recognised over so many other inspiring projects.”

Juboken Enterprises was established in the Philippines in 1995 by Justino Arboleda, an agricultural engineer, to combat soil erosion. He began to produce nets from the wasted coconut husks taken from Joboken's coconut plantations and used them to act as surrogate tree roots by holding loose soils together. This was quickly recognised as an eco-friendly solution to a developing eco-disaster. Coconets are now being produced at a rate of 30,000 square metres per month for markets throughout the world, and the success of the venture has improved the lives of more than 1,500 families in the Philippines.

Jonathan Howlett, Director of Airtime Sales, BBC World, added: “This competition has been extraordinarily successful, capturing the imagination - and the votes – of many thousands of BBC World viewers around the globe, serving to enhance the effectiveness of the developing relationship between BBC World and Shell.”

Roxanne Decyk said: “Shell is delighted to be involved in The World Challenge. What is remarkable about this competition is the passion and determination of the individuals involved. We would like to congratulate Juboken Enterprises, along with the runners-up and

finalists. Without their innovation and drive, The World Challenge would not have been such a success.”

For more information on any of the shortlisted finalists, including the two runners-up, visit www.theworldchallenge.co.uk.

For further information contact:
Deeptie Sethi/ Neha Sharma
BBC World
Tel: 91 11 2341 2672/73 Ext. 102