Vodafone’s social investment division, the Vodafone Foundation, launched an awards programme for mobile apps that improve people’s lives and deliver substantial public benefit.

The Mobile for Good Europe Awards covers iOS and Android apps in categories including accessibility, mobilising public services, health and education.

The contest has a total prize fund of €200,000, which winning developers can use to further develop their technology.  The top in each category will be awarded €30,000, with €15,000 for second place and €5,000 for third.

“Mobile technology has the potential to educate, liberate and empower hundreds of millions of people. We hope the Mobile for Good Europe Awards will inspire innovators to invest in new and creative ways to use mobile to enhance individual daily lives and deliver substantial public benefits,” said Andrew Dunnett, Vodafone Group sustainability director.

The contest is run in conjunction with AGE Platform Europe and the European Disability Forum and there will be developer workshops run in Amsterdam, Berlin and Madrid. The closing date for entries is 15 October.

The Mobile for Good Europe Awards has evolved from the previous Vodafone Foundation Smart Accessibility Awards, a contest for Android apps to improve the lives of disabled and elderly people, which took place in 2011 and 2012.