Deadline: May 15, 2020
Applications are open for the BeChangeMaker 2020 Social Entrepreneurship Acceleration Programme. BeChangeMaker is an online training programme that inspires action on global challenges through social entrepreneurship and the power of skills.
The BeChangeMaker (BCM) is a joint project funded, initiated, and implemented by WorldSkills International and the HP Foundation. The BCM is a series of social entrepreneurial skill training projects that enable youth with skills and great ideas to explore their career potential as social entrepreneur.
It provides access to high quality learning content on HP LIFE, tools and technology for startup acceleration, dedicated coaching, mentoring and customized support, as well as the opportunity to tap into a diverse global network of potential supporters and investors. HP LIFE, a programme of the HP Foundation, provides 32 FREE online learning courses for entrepreneurs, innovators, and small business owners worldwide.
This is an opportunity to develop skills to make your business idea a reality. Apply to be part of the solutions for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
Benefits
- Join this exciting program to reignite your learning, bring your amazing ideas to life, and help make the world a better place.
- Taking part will help you feel part of a bigger, connected community. It will also enable you to learn relevant new skills that will help you prepare for the future, whether you want to continue your education, pursue a career as an entrepreneur, or enter the world of work.
Pitching and Funding
- At the end of the three-month program, five teams will be chosen to pitch their business ideas at WorldSkills General Assembly 2020 in Dublin, Ireland from 1-2 September.
- The top five teams will each receive EUR 1,000 worth of customized post-programme training. Additionally, the top three teams will each receive EUR 2,000 cash award to further invest in their ideas.
Eligibility
To be eligible to enter the BCM, the participants must:
- be from 18 to 35 years old
- be receiving general or vocational education and training or have finished general or vocational education and training at the time of participation
- join the BCM alone or with a maximum of four other participants as a team (total team size is five persons maximum)
- be responsible for ensuring that their participation in the BCM complies with any policies of their corporations, agencies, institutions, schools, or colleges where they are employed or trained. WorldSkills International and the HP Foundation are not responsible for any disputes arising between participants and their employers, schools, or colleges.
Judging Criteria
The participants will be evaluated based on their team performance by a panel of judges at the pitch competitions. The main judging criteria include, but not limited to the followings:
- Relevance: how relevant is your solution to the chosen social issue?
- Innovation: what is the core insight or innovation that differentiates your solution from other existing ones? What makes your solution/social venture idea unique?
- Impact: how will your solution improve lives? How many people will be affected if successful and to what extent? Is the solution rooted in research that identifies the scope of the social issue and the solution will help solve it?
- Scalability: if successful, how easily can your solution be replicated nationally, regionally, and globally? How will your solution be a model for other efforts?
- Feasibility: do you have a well-developed and realistic plan to implement your solution? Is your social venture financially sound?
Application
- Step 1 – Form a Team: Form a team of 2 to 5 people who share the same vision, are between 18 and 35 years old, and choose a team leader.
- Step 2 – Share your challenge: Introduce your team and share your social challenge in a 1-minute video. Upload the video to YouTube as unlisted and include the link in your online application.
- Step 3 – Submit your application: Click on Apply below for the application form. The team leader is required to fill out the application form on behalf of the team before 15 May. Please make sure that each of the team member has read and agreed to the Official Rules and created an account on HP LIFE to access the free courses before submitting the application.
- Step 4 – Team will be selected: 30 teams will be selected to officially join the programme. The announcement will be made on 29 May.
- Step 5 – Get ready! The programme will kick off on 8 June with an orientation for the exciting three months of intensive and engaging training.
Applications can only be accepted if the following criteria are met:
- Form a team of two to five people who share the same vision, are between 18 and 35 years old and choose a team leader.
- Each team member is required to create an account on HP LIFE by following this link for accessing free courses offered by HP LIFE. The chosen team leader must confirm that all team members have created an account and provide the email addresses used for the accounts in the online application form.
- Introduce your team and share your social challenge in a one-minute video. Upload the video to YouTube as unlisted and include the link in your online application form.
- Go to https://bechangemaker.worldskills.org/ (link below) to fill out and submit your application before 15 May – the application should be submitted by the team leader.
- The final selection of the top 30 teams to join BeChangeMaker 2020 will be announced on 29 May.
Click here to apply. If you are from Africa, click here.
For more information, visit BeChangeMaker.
