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SHARJAH/WAM
A blockchain-powered sustainable marketplace concept developed by a team led by a student from the American University of Sharjah (AUS) won first place at the Islamic World Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (ICESCO) Youth Climate Leaders Camp – Arab Chapter held at Sharjah Research Technology and Innovation Park recently.
Called Thimmar, this innovative platform connects consumers with farming communities and offers AI-optimised grocery subscriptions to cut food waste and connect. It will debut in the ICESCO Pavilion in COP29 in Azerbaijan this month.
Thimaar aligns with two key areas of the UAE Year of Sustainability 2024—responsible consumption and planting wisely— and contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals like No Hunger and Climate Action.
Izma Fatima, an AUS international studies student who presented the concept on behalf of her team. Said, “Our motto is reach, relive and reward. Through the platform, AI-calculated portions will help our customers to minimise food waste. They will also virtually connect with the farmers who grow their food, experiencing organic farming from home while also supporting the organic agriculture industry through micro-financing.”
“Additionally, customers receive loyalty points and gifts with organic and food waste collection. Waste is repurposed to benefit local organic farming communities in Sharjah, in alignment with the UAE’s efforts to reduce waste by 50 percent by 2030.”
Emphasising a bottom-up approach that fosters healthy consumer habits, rather than flooding the market with sustainable products that have low demand, the team—comprising seven female students—focused on female homemakers in the region as their target.
Proposed key partners for the platform would include organic farms and markets, sustainability-focused brands and local governments.
Developing Thimaar followed a thorough process of study that included field visits and discussions with ICESCO, Sheraa, Shajar and Manbat, who provided the student team with access to networks and contacts to leverage support for the initiative.