In May, Promethean Power Systems and their Indian partner Icelings were awarded the first Indo-US Science and Technology Endowment Board grant for their solar-powered system for refrigerated storage to keep fruits and vegetables from spoiling and help ensure food security in India. In awarding the $500,000 prize, US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton noted that “lack of storage causes Indian farmers to lose approximately $10 billion in crops each year. [. . .]Promethean Power and Icelings are helping solve a practical challenge that will make a real difference to people’s lives and incomes.” Promethean Power Systems’ innovative work was incubated at Villgro Innovations Foundation, an IDRC grantee based in Chennai, India.

Another innovator of note, economist and Concordia University professor Marguerite Mendell was awarded the inaugural Prix Pierre-Dansereau for her collaborative research on the social economy. The award, from the Association francophone pour le savoir (Acfas) recognizes an individual or organization that best exemplifies a commitment to improving society. A groundbreaking economist, Mendell is a long-time IDRC grantee and oversaw IDRC-supported research by the Chantier de l’economie sociale in advance of the International Forum on the Social and Solidarity Economy, held in Montréal in fall 2011. Listen to Mendell’s interview about a different social economic model with Radio-Canada.

Photo: Ognian Gueorguiev