2 September 2021

ICC and its World Chambers Federation (WCF) have announced finalists of the 2021 World Chambers Competition. The 16 shortlisted chambers will present their pioneering initiatives during the 12th World Chambers Congress, which is set to take place in Dubai from 23-25 November.

The World Chambers Competition is the only global awards programme to identify and reward the most innovative, entrepreneurial solutions of chambers to today’s most pressing global challenges. The concours seeks to celebrate the achievements of these chambers while bringing their stories to a wider audience. In spotlighting the diversity and enterprise championed by the competing chambers, the Competition aims to enable change to make the world a better place for people and planet.

Under four categories, 78 initiatives representing 33 countries were received for the 2021 edition of the World Chambers Competition. The total exceeds the number of entries received for the 2019 edition and shows the compelling and tireless efforts of chambers in the face of the current global landscape.

Commenting on the news that Eskisehir Chamber of Industry in Turkey would be moving forward as a 2021 World Chambers Competition finalist, chamber Chair Celalettin Kesikbas said it was a great honour for the chamber to be a finalist of the 2021 World Chambers Competition in Dubai. 

The Eskisehir Chamber of Industry is competing in the Best Climate Action category with its initiative SHAREBOX – Secure Management Platform for Shared Process Resources, which aims to increase cooperation between companies while providing both environmental and economic returns.

“While climate change poses a serious threat to humanity, it has also brought a completely different dimension to the world of production and trade. We are excited to discuss this cross-cutting issue with the international chamber network and give direction for the future,” added Mr Kesikbas.

An international jury, comprising ICC World Chambers Federation leadership along with representatives from transnational, national, and local chambers, is responsible for shortlisting category finalists.

Commenting on this year’s selection, Toki Mabogunje, President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Nigeria said:

“My experience as a judge in the first round of the 2021 World Chambers Competition was exhilarating. Besides the intellectual stimulation which came from the innovation and fresh ideas thrown up by the various submissions, I got the unique opportunity to travel around the world, as I vicariously experienced the socio-cultural and economic conditions in various locations, towns, cities, states, regions, and countries around the globe. The experience was exciting as I moved from one submission to the next, not knowing what to expect. I came away from every submission more enlightened and enriched by new information and certainly much more worldly than when I started the process. One of the things I love about our global chamber community is that through activities like this, we open up new opportunities for us all to share.”

The 2021 World Chambers Competition finalists will present their projects to delegates and judges attending the 12th World Chambers Congress—the largest global thought-leadership conference for chambers and their business members worldwide. Presentations will take place from 23-25 November with the winners announced on the final day of the event, 25 November. Taking place under the theme, “Generation Next: Chambers: 4.0”, this year’s Congress is set to be more collaborative and dynamic than ever. Register your place to gain the knowledge and skills required to turn digital disruption into opportunity and more.

The 16 Competition finalists are:

Best Digital Project:

  • Chamber of Commerce and Industry for Munich and Upper Bavaria (Germany) – Cert4Trust: Blockchain-based validation of digital certificates and documents
  • Santiago Chamber of Commerce (Chile) – Resolución en Línea: Reconnecting businesses with consumers through online dispute resolution
  • Business West Chamber of Commerce (England) – Great British Food Programme
  • Lima Chamber of Commerce (Peru) – Digital Chambers: The New Age

Presentations will be held for this category on Tuesday, 23 November.

Best Resilience Project:

  • Luxembourg Chamber of Commerce (Luxembourg) – House of Entrepreneurship Luxembourg
  • Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Australia) – COVID-19 Support for Australian Businesses
  • Greater Des Moines Partnership (United States) – DSM Forward Playbooks
  • German-Russian Chamber of Commerce Abroad (Russia) – #ResilientTogether: Building resilience in turbulent times

Presentations will be held for this category on Wednesday, 24 November.

Best Climate Action Project:

  • Eskisehir Chamber of Industry (Turkey) – Secure Management Platform for Shared Process Resources (SHAREBOX)
  • East Lancashire Chamber of Commerce (England) – Chamber Low Carbon Project
  • Dublin Chamber of Commerce (Ireland) – The Dublin Chamber Sustainability Academy
  • Voka Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Belgium) – Voka Sustainable Business Charter

Presentations will be held for this category on Wednesday, 24 November.

Best Unconventional Project: 

  • Styrian Chamber of Commerce (Austria) – Extended Reality Hub
  • Potsdam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Germany) – Schüfi: The App for Teen Entrepreneurs
  • Çorlu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (Turkey) – The Foreign Trade Intelligence Centre
  • Chamber of Commerce in Quito (Ecuador) – AWE: Academy for Women Entrepreneurs in Ecuador

Presentations will be held for this category on Thursday, 25 November.