Ashoka Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge 2024

Ready to lead the charge for a greener future? Ashoka's 'Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge' in collaboration with the Anglo American Foundation is calling on young people aged 16 – 25 across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana to unleash their agency and innovation in tackling climate change through ideas and existing initiatives. Join us in shaping a more sustainable world and making a lasting impact on our planet's future!

• Table of Content
• About Ashoka
• Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge
• Aim and Benefits of Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge
• Requirements for Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge Qualification
• Interview date, Process and Venue for Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge
• Application Deadline
• How to Apply

About Ashoka

Ashoka was founded in 1980 by Bill Drayton and in over 38 years, Ashoka has pioneered the field of social entrepreneurship by building the largest network of systems-change social entrepreneurs worldwide with more than 3500 Ashoka Fellows working in 93 countries, putting their innovative ideas into practice to create positive change at a large scale. Equipping young people with 21st Century skills such as changemaking, empathy and teamwork. For more than 30 years, Ashoka Africa has been fostering Africas' largest network of system-change social entrepreneurs. Ashoka Nigeria is part of ...&... continue reading

Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge

Application Deadline	30 Jul 2024
Type	Contest
Sponsor	Ashoka
Gender	Men and Women

Aim and Benefits of Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge

All eligible applicants will receive: 

• Ashoka & Anglo American Foundation networks feedback on their entries.
• Optional peer feedback via the Challenge online platform, including the opportunity to view, review, and connect with other YACC Challenge applicants.
• Access to information and learning sessions.
• Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, and experts in the field.
• Access to online resources on changemaking and social entrepreneurship.

Click here to view terms & conditions. 

Early Entry Standout

• All those who apply by the Early Entry Deadline will receive feedback to improve their application before the final deadline of July 30, 2024.
• $100 awarded to each of 3 selected winners, if your application is submitted by 30 May 2024.

Semi-finalists

• Opportunity to refine applications based on feedback from reviewers.
• Access to roundtable offerings with like-minded peers.
• Feature on Ashoka’s communication and social media platforms.

Finalists

• Access to roundtable offerings with like-minded peers.
• Feature on Ashoka’s communication and social media platforms.

Winners

• $1000 for each of the 10 selected winners.
• Invitation and hosting at the in-person celebratory event in Johannesburg, South Africa.
• Access to storytelling and networking opportunities.
• Opportunity for mentoring from seasoned social entrepreneurs.

Requirements for Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge Qualification

Participants Age

Applicants must be between 16 – 25 years old at the time of application, and not older than 25 by the end of the entry period on 30 July 2024 at 11:59 p.m. SAST.  

Residency

Applicants must be a resident of one of the?following 4 Southern African countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia.

Language

Entries will only be accepted in English (Challenge communication & content will be delivered in English).

General

Limit one entry per person/team.

Primary country of impact must be one or more of the four countries: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia or Botswana.

Applicants must be the founder or co-founder of the initiative their application represents. 

Applications must be: 

• Idea-stage initiative (participant has an idea on how to solve a problem they have identified and has a plan of action) or,
• An existing initiative that is being implemented at any stage of development (participant has proof of concept by having piloted and done first few activities/ has established activities / is scaling).

Winners under 18 are required to be accompanied by one adult chaperone to the in-person event and?must be approved by their parent or legal guardian. 

Interview date, Process and Venue for Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge

Remember, we are looking for innovative and creative ideas at all stages of development, which means it can be a new idea or a fully baked one! Each of the below 4 criteria will be considered equally in the evaluation of each application.

Changemaker Qualities

Participant is passionate about making a change for the good of all. Unlocking their agency by solving for the problems in climate change and activating others to take action.

Connection & Community

Participant has a strong commitment and deep understanding of the problem he/ she is trying to address. Their ideas and innovations involve community participation and are driven by the aim of creating resilient communities.

Innovation

Participant’s initiative/solution is original and creative. This might involve inventing something , novel use of technology, and/or applying new ideas to existing solutions. We are particularly interested in solutions that can lead to widespread change through mindset shift or community engagement.

Sustainability & Scalability

Participant’s initiative/solution has plans for continuing to create impact in the long-run through (a) the feasibility, scalability, replicability andadaptability of their solution in local contexts; and (b) mobilising resources such as team members, partnerships, funding or other support networks. 

Application Deadline

July 30, 2024

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to Ashoka on home.solutions.changemakers.com to apply

For more details, visit Ashoka website