Mascot Design Competition - Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin Commissionerate of Rural Development, Gujarat

About SBM-G
Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), launched on October 2, 2014, aimed to eliminate open defecation in rural India. Phase 1 (2014–2019) achieved ODF status nationwide. Phase 2, launched in 2020, focuses on sustaining ODF status and achieving ODF Plus by managing solid and liquid waste, promoting faecal sludge disposal, household waste segregation, plastic waste management, greywater treatment, and visual cleanliness. Emphasizing behavioral change and infrastructure, it promotes clean, sustainable villages through active community and local government participation.

Introduction
The Commissionerate of Rural Development, Gujarat, under the Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), aims to create a unique and impactful mascot that effectively communicates the key messages of rural sanitation and cleanliness. The mascot should resonate with the rural community of Gujarat, making it easy to identify, recall, and relate to. The mascot will also serve as a creative medium to raise awareness about Swachh Survekshan Grameen (SSG)-2025, encouraging active community participation and preparedness. This competition invites creative minds, artists, students and designers to conceptualize a mascot that embodies the mission’s objectives and inspires behavioural change.

Objectives of the Mascot
i. Represent the core values of Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (cleanliness, hygiene, sustainability, and waste management).
ii. Be engaging, easy to remember, and culturally relevant to the rural community of Gujarat.
iii. Encourage community participation in sanitation and solid liquid waste management initiatives, ensure usage of toilets and maintain cleanliness of Community sanitary complexes
iv. Symbolize sustainability, waste segregation, and the elimination of single-use plastic
v. Be visually appealing, simple, and adaptable across various mediums of communication (print, digital, merchandise, etc.)

4. Design Specifications
i. The mascot should have a friendly, approachable, and inspiring personality.
ii. It should be visually simple yet creative, making it easy for villagers, especially children, to recognize and remember.
iii.The design must be culturally relatable, incorporating Gujarati traditions and symbols.
iv. The mascot should communicate cleanliness, hygiene, and sustainability messages in an innovative way.
v. Entry should be adaptable for 2D and 3D formats (to be used in banners, posters, animated videos, and community engagement activities).
vi. The design should be unique and original, avoiding any plagiarism or resemblance to existing mascots.

Competition Guidelines
1. Eligibility: Open to individual students, schools, universities, artists, designers, agencies, and creative individuals from Gujarat and other states of India.
2. Submission Format:
i. High-resolution JPEG/PNG/PDF files & Open file (CDR/AI/PSD)
ii. Entries could also be shared through a Google link. Please provide the link with view access, or else the entry will be disqualified.
iii. A short description (max 200 words) in Gujarati/English/Hindi explaining the concept and how it aligns with SBM-G goals in PDF format.

Selection Process & Criteria:
Process:
The top 5 mascot entries will be shortlisted by a designated selection committee based on defined evaluation criteria. These shortlisted entries will then be presented to the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Gujarat for the final selection.

The below-mentioned criteria carry 10 marks each. (Total Points are 50.)
1. Creativity, originality, and cultural relevance to Gujarat’s rural community
2. Clarity and effectiveness in communicating the key messages of SBM-G
3. Scalability and adaptability of the mascot across various platforms
4. Submission formats: JPEG/PNG/PDF along with open files (CDR/AI/PSD)
5. Explaining concept SBM-G objectives (max 200 words) in English/Hindi/Gujarati

Prizes & Recognition:
i. Winning design to be officially adopted as the SBM-G mascot for Gujarat.
ii.Certificate of recognition and INR 50,000/- cash reward for the top entry.
iii.Feature on official SBM-G platforms, government campaigns, and promotional materials.