Over the last four decades, we have seen significant economic growth in most parts of the world. At the same time, we have seen rising inequalities, an exacerbated climate crisis and a growing sense of disempowerment. This trend can be described as the decoupling of economic prosperity, social prosperity and environmental sustainability. The Global Solutions Initiative aims to address this trend by generating proposals to better align economic and political activities with environmental sustainability and social prosperity. With the Global Changers Recoupling Youth Awards we want to recognise and reward projects and initiatives by young people around the world that embody this approach to recovery.
Recovery projects should be guided by a people-centred approach that puts the needs and voices of their stakeholders, clients, workers and communities at the centre. The jury will be looking for particularly innovative, unique and original approaches or projects that address specific issues that have previously been neglected. Projects should go beyond the idea stage and can include social enterprises as well as non-profit activities. (You can find examples of previous projects here. here).
Who can apply?
Young entrepreneurs or innovators who have started or are involved in a leading role in a social enterprise that aims to align economic activity with environmental sustainability and social prosperity.
Young business leaders who want to change "business as usual" from within ("intrapreneurs").
Young non-profit actors, community organisers, advocacy leaders, activists, or implementers of social, economic or environmental change at local, regional or even global level.
- The project, company or initiative that applies is in need of recovery, i.e. better alignment of economic or political activities with social well-being and environmental sustainability.
- The candidate must have a leading position in the project/initiative they are applying for (e.g. founder, co-founder, project leader, initiator or a similar role).
- Candidates must be between 18 and 35 years old.
- Candidates need to be willing and motivated to become active members of a global network that aims to bring about lasting global change.
Benefits
All candidates who qualify to be in the top 50 will be part of our 2023 cohort Young Global Changers. All 50 projects will be presented on the Global Solutions. The representatives of the most outstanding projects will have the opportunity to travel to Berlin and participate in the Global Solutions Summit 2023 (15/16 May 2023). The best will have the opportunity to present their project at the Summit in front of a renowned jury and an international audience. The jury will select three winners. The overall winner will receive a prize of 5,000 euros, the runner-up will receive 2,000 euros, and the third-place winner will win 1,000 euros. The selected projects will also have the opportunity to receive mentoring, training and additional support to help improve their project or initiative.
Are you involved in a project or initiative that orientates economic or political activity towards people's needs? Are you putting environmental sustainability at the centre? Are you challenging the status quo? Would you like to share your innovative approaches with our community of changemakers and policy experts - while learning from them?
Scholarship components
We are offering a full scholarship* for the finalists of the Global Changers Recoupling 2023 Youth Awards to come to Berlin and participate in the 2023 Global Solutions Summit.
The scholarship includes the following:
- Travelling expenses to and from Berlin**
- Accommodation for the Global Solutions Summit (four nights, 13-17 May, 2023)***
- Free entry to the Global Solutions Summit 2023
- Networking opportunities with great minds from academia, business, politics and civil society
- Access to an exclusive global network of like-minded Young Global Changers
- Possibilities for greater involvement
*Please note that all expenses must be paid in advance and will be reimbursed within 6 weeks of the Global Solutions Summit. Participants are responsible for submitting reimbursement requests. Currency fluctuations may lead to small changes in the total amount reimbursed.
** The costs of travelling by train or economy class flights, as well as visa costs, can be reimbursed. Additional costs may apply, which will not be covered by the scholarship (this can include local transport in Berlin, food, health or travel insurance and much more).
***The hotel will be organised and paid for by the Global Solutions Initiative. It will be located close to the summit venue.
Please note that travelling to Berlin is only possible if the local health and safety situation allows it!
How to apply?
Step 1:
Complete the online application form by 26 January 2023 and include all the relevant information about your project. There are no costs associated with the application. For a successful presentation, you will need to provide the following information and material:
Personal information (name, email address, place of residence, date and place of birth)
Project information (project name, project description, link to recovery)
Upload the following documents: 1. CV, 2. Project description, 3. Photo of yourself, 4. Short video (max. 5 min)
Step 2:
The projects will be selected and assessed by a jury. Of all the projects submitted, the best 50 will be presented on our website, and a minimum of 10 projects will be selected for the final round in Berlin.
Step 3:
The best initiatives among the finalists will be presented in front of a live jury of experts and a global audience at the Global Solutions Summit 2023 on 15/16 May in Berlin. The launch can take place digitally or on site. (It won't be a disadvantage if one of the finalists can't attend the summit in Berlin in person).
For more information, please visit: https://www.global-solutions-initiative.org/young-global-changers/application/
Download "Important tips on how to apply successfully" as a PDF -
