Ashoka’s Youth Venture is thrilled to announce the launch of the 5th annual Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition, in partnership with Staples Foundation. This year’s global competition is open to any youth 12-24 years old who use innovation and technology to drive their venture and improve their community. .
Last year’s Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition drew more than 500 entries from young innovators from 52 countries. In addition, the competition added another powerful element: A TEDxYSE event that allowed the winners to share their stories of change. The winners were eight young changemakers who spoke at a Staples-Ashoka hosted TEDx conference in Washington, DC.
What you need to know: The Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur (YSE) Competition is a global competition created by Staples Foundation and Ashoka to recognize exceptional young people using innovation and technology to advance social change and improve their community and the world.
Who’s eligible?: Young people (age 12-24), living anywhere in the world, are eligible to apply.
Dates and details: Apply online between June 22 and September 19, 2011.
Technology is constantly revolutionizing our world. Bold new ideas speed instantaneously online as portable devices such as smart phones and tablets connect us to people and resources across the globe in real-time. The way we communicate, work, and play in our daily lives has been transformed. But how do these technologies translate into solutions for a better world?
We want to know how you are using technology to create solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. Share your story about how technology is helping realize your vision for change, and you could be the winner of the 5th annual Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition!
Four finalists will be selected and will receive an all expenses paid trip to Techonomy, an elite conference held in Tucson, Arizona that convenes thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers from the technology sector. You’ll get to meet outstanding tech sector influencers and be recognized for your work!
Guidelines and Selection Process:
- Youth must enter the competition or be nominated.
- Entries will be accepted only in English.
- A panel of internal judges will screen all entries and may invite finalists to fill out a detailed application and submit additional material. Judges may ask to interview entrants by phone or Skype.
- The four finalists will be selected by an external panel of industry experts.
- The decision of the grand-prize winner will be selected by competition judges at Techonomy.
Eligibility:
The Staples Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition is open to all youth who are:
- Between the ages of 12 and 24
- Operating a youth-led social venture
- Using technology to advance social change; technology is defined broadly, and need not be the primary focus of your work. For example, you may work on education or environmental issues – but if you use social media or digital platforms to accomplish your goals, you qualify!
- Able to demonstrate impact of project
- Willing to put effort into presenting their story to a global audience
- Able to travel to Tucson, AZ to participate in the Techonomy conference from November 13-15, 2011
- Willing to sign a media release giving Ashoka’s Youth Venture permission to distribute videotaped presentations and associated multimedia during and after Techonomy.
Moreinfo: http://ashokayouthcompetition.org
