Background
Every year, the OD Impact Challenge attracts thousands of young changemakers from across the world, each bringing bold ideas, lived experiences, and a desire to build meaningful impact. While the outcomes of the challenge are celebrated, the journeys behind those outcomes often remain unseen.Behind every shortlisted application, finalist email, and winning announcement is a process shaped by preparation, rejection, resilience, and growth. Many aspiring applicants are eager to understand what truly differentiates strong applications, how winners navigate uncertainty, and what the ODIC journey looks like beyond the final result. To respond to this need for clarity and peer learning, Opportunity Desk will host a live Instagram conversation bringing together ODIC 2025 winners and finalists. This session will create an open space for honest storytelling, practical lessons, and shared reflections on navigating the OD Impact Challenge from application to recognition.
Theme
Inside the ODIC Journey: Real Stories from Impact Challenge Winners
Purpose
To demystify the OD Impact Challenge process by amplifying the lived experiences of ODIC winners, while equipping future applicants and young changemakers with practical insights, confidence, and clarity to engage global opportunities intentionally.
Objectives
To unpack what motivated ODIC winners to apply and how they approached the application process.
To share real experiences navigating the selection stages, including challenges, lessons, and turning points.
To highlight key factors that strengthened their applications and sustained them through the process.
To demonstrate how recognition through ODIC has influenced their work, leadership, and impact.
To inspire aspiring applicants to approach future opportunities with preparation, resilience, and authenticity.
Format
A 60-minute Instagram Live conversation hosted by Opportunity Desk, featuring a moderated discussion with ODIC 2025 winners, followed by live audience engagement and questions.
Host
Favour Abatang, Community Manager, Opportunity Desk
Guest Speakers
Sameer Ali Khan – Founder, Collective Pakistan ODIC 2025 1st Place Winner.
Osmar Zaidan Al Wafi – CEO, Kita Korban Bullying, ODIC 2025 2nd Place Winner.
Hamayun Khan, Founder – SolaTech ODIC 2025 Top 12 Winner
Event Details
Date: January 30, 2026
Time: 7:00 PM (WAT)
Platform: Instagram Live via Opportunity Desk
About Opportunity Desk
Established in 2012, Opportunity Desk (OD) is the largest digital media platform dedicated to expanding access to education, funding, and global opportunities for young people around the world. OD bridges information gaps by curating and sharing scholarships, grants, fellowships, jobs, internships, training, and volunteer opportunities that support youth development and leadership.
