Students can win a $1,000 scholarship by taking part in a green challenge for the future.

Belco is inviting senior school students to invent sustainable energy solutions to mark Global Entrepreneurship Week.

The competition, in partnership with the Department of Energy, challenges youngsters to submit ideas for new, viable methods of harnessing alternative energy.

Individual prizes include a $1,000 educational grant, an iPod Touch for the runner-up and a cell phone for third place. The seven shortlisted entrants will also be given eco gift bags.

In the team category, each winning member will receive an iPod Touch. And in both categories, winners' schools will be awarded a $500 Gateway Systems gift certificate.

The Sustainable Energy Challenge will be judged by a panel of industry experts on November 17.

Deadline for entries is November 6. Submissions should be 'electronic storyboards', either in PowerPoint presentation form or video.

A product/service description must be accompanied by an explanation of how it works and the scientific method employed.

Entries must also include a cost estimate and the competitive advantage of the solution over other power supplies.

The Challenge is being coordinated by the Youth Entrepreneurship Initiative of Bermuda. The Bank of Bermuda, Greenrock and the Bermuda Small Business Development Corporation are co-sponsors.

Tomorrow budding entrepreneurs can hone their ideas at a free workshop at the Berkeley Institute between 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. To sign up, and for more information on the challenge, contact coordinator Kristin White at the e-mail address: kristinwhite@logic.bm

Competition entries should be sent to either: e-commerce@gov.bm or delivered as a CD to the Ministry of Energy, Telecommunications and E-Commerce in Church Street.

Global Entrepreneurship Week takes place from November 16 to 22. It aims to bring attention to how young people's ideas can contribute to global economic development, and to give them the tools to put those ideas into practice.