In celebration of the 25th anniversary of the Schneider Electric Foundation, we are excited to launch the Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program, led by Schneider Electric Foundation (SEF) and under the aegis of Fondation de France as well as Ashoka Changemaker Companies, which aspires to select the most impactful and innovative 25 youth projects across 5 continents. This year’s global call for contributions is centered on the idea of Just Transition.
The International Labour Organization (ILO) defines it this way: “Greening the economy in a way that is as fair and inclusive as possible to everyone concerned, creating decent work opportunities and leaving no one behind.”
For a quarter-century, the Schneider Electric Foundation has been dedicated to driving sustainable development, promoting social inclusion, and empowering communities worldwide. As we commemorate this milestone, we are committed to amplifying our impact by investing in the next generation of leaders who will champion positive change.
Schneider Electric Foundation, with the assistance of Ashoka offices, will select 5 projects per continent, amounting to 25 ideas in total. In each continent, the best project will receive the 1st prize of 30k euros, the second one 20k euros, the third and the fourth 10k euros each and the last spot will see an amount of 5k euros. On top of the jury selection, each project will have an opportunity to compete for an “Audience Prize” – a favorite idea of Schneider employees of that particular office, which would also be rewarded with 2k euros prize. Finally, out of all selected 25 projects, one will receive a special prize of “Youth Innovation Champion” of 50k euros in total at the occasion of the COP29 in November 2024.
The selected projects will also benefit from an increased visibility across social media channels of both SEF and Ashoka countries.
This program is designed for organizations which main mission is a social purpose, existing for more than a year and located across all 5 continents. Each jury will be selected in the language of preference of each continent and will consist of regional directors, members of the Young Sustainability Leaders as well as representatives of Schneider Electric Foundation and Ashoka. The “Youth Innovation Champion” jury will be conducted in English.
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
Ashoka/SEF Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program
| Application Deadline | 19 May 2024 |
| Type | Entrepreneurs |
| Sponsor | Ashoka |
| Gender | Men and Women |
Aim and Benefits of Ashoka/SEF Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program
Schneider Electric Foundation, with the assistance of Ashoka offices, will select 5 projects per continent, amounting to 25 ideas in total. In each continent, the best project will receive the 1st prize of 30k euros, the second one 20k euros, the third and the fourth 10k euros each and the last spot will see an amount of 5k euros. On top of the jury selection, each project will have an opportunity to compete for an “Audience Prize” – a favorite idea of Schneider employees of that particular office, which would also be rewarded with 2k euros prize. Finally, out of all selected 25 projects, one will receive a special prize of “Youth Innovation Champion” of 50k euros in total at the occasion of the COP29 in November 2024.
The selected projects will also benefit from an increased visibility across social media channels of both SEF and Ashoka countries.
Requirements for Ashoka/SEF Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program Qualification
This call for projects is open to Europe/Middle East/Africa geographical zone, including the following eligible countries: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Zambia.
Please note that only complete (including documents) applications will be considered.
The applicant needs to reflect at least 3 out of 5 following priorities of the CFP:
- Just transition
- Awareness and inclusion
- Professional training in energy management
- Entrepreneurship
- Gender
Please remind that the eligible categories are the following :
- Professional training of youth for the job market of tomorrow: green jobs, sustainability, new skills etc.
- Hatching ideas and capacity building of social entrepreneurship projects
Interview date, Process and Venue for Ashoka/SEF Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program
Timeline:
- Call for projects: Monday, April 22, 2024
- Closing and selection: Sunday, May 19, 2024
- Announcement of selected projects: Sunday, June 23, 2024
Documents Required for Application
In addition to filling out the following questionnaire, you are kindly asked to provide:
- Bylaws
- Latest activity report
- Latest financial report
- Bank account details
- Copy of the official declaration
- List of the board members
Application Deadline
May 19, 2024How to Apply
Interested and qualified? Go to Ashoka on volunteerin.se.com to applyFor more details, visit Ashoka website
