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Ashoka The Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment Course ( April 22, 2016 – June 03, 2016)

by OFA April 1, 2016

written by OFA

Application Deadline: April 14th 2016

The Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment is a six week online professional development course which will cover both the obstacles and challenges of African Youth employment with a focus on innovative solutions and promising new initiatives. Each week participants will explore models, methodologies and the sectors critical to creating employment opportunities in Africa.

In order to create a rich learning experience, the course will be comprised of a select group of program managers, policy makers, fellows and innovators chosen based on their background and work in the sector. Together the goal is to create new connections and generate new ideas for developing a future of work that can advance the social economic status of African communities.

This course is being produced as part of Future Forward, a partnership between Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social innovation and entrepreneurship, and The Mastercard Foundation that aims to identify and support the most innovative social entrepreneurs. The entirety of this course is delivered online with a total time commitment of 2-5 hours per week. It is designed to be highly interactive and social, but we also work hard to ensure that the majority of the content can be experienced in a self-paced manner. To enhance the interactive nature of the course, each week we will be featuring at least one real-time interaction, such as live discussions and live guest expert interviews along with discussion boards, readings, and videos.

Course Modules:

Week 1: Youth and Employment in Africa
Week 2: Defining Work and Sector Opportunities
Week 3: Skills Training and Education
Week 4: Youth Employment Policy and Government Engagement
Week 5: Entrepreneurship and Employment Ecosystems
Week 6: Final Review & Wrap-up

In this six week course, you will:

Learn about the greatest opportunities for innovations in youth employment in Africa, and how to break silos and foster effective collaboration across sectors
Create critical connections with others working on youth employment in Africa, including innovators, entrepreneurs, practitioners and policy makers.
Interact with guest expert speakers who have cutting-edge approaches towards enabling youth success, funding the sector, or shaping major shifts in the field
Increase knowledge about youth employment through discussion questions, group activities, and select readings.
Be able to recognize strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for increased impact in your work on youth employment in Africa

Apply Now for The Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment Course

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment Course

April 1, 2016 0 comment

Ashoka Course: The Future of Work in Africa (six week online professional development course)

by lanredahunsi September 2, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: October 14th 2015

The Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment is a six week online professional development course which will cover both the obstacles and challenges of African Youth employment with a focus on innovative solutions and promising new initiatives.

Each week participants will explore models, methodologies and the sectors critical to creating employment opportunities in Africa. In order to create a rich learning experience, the course will be comprised of a select group of program managers, policy makers, fellows and innovators chosen based on their background and work in the sector. Together the goal is to create new connections and generate new ideas for developing a future of work that can advance the social economic status of African communities.

This course is being produced as part of Future Forward, a partnership between Ashoka, the world’s largest network of social innovation and entrepreneurship, and The Mastercard Foundation that aims to identify and support the most innovative social entrepreneurs.

The entirety of this course is delivered online with a total time commitment of 2-5 hours per week. It is designed to be highly interactive and social, but we also work hard to ensure that the majority of the content can be experienced in a self-paced manner. To enhance the interactive nature of the course, each week we will be featuring at least one real-time interaction, such as live discussions and live guest expert interviews along with discussion boards, readings, and videos.

Course Modules:

Week 1: Youth and Employment in Africa
Week 2: Defining Work and Sector Opportunities
Week 3: Skills Training and Education
Week 4: Youth Employment Policy and Government Engagement
Week 5: Entrepreneurship and Employment Ecosystems
Week 6: Final Review & Wrap-up

Topic Areas Included in Course Modules:

The below themes and topic areas will be covered in the above listed course modules.

Technology: How Tech Start-ups are Tackling Corruption, Global Warming, and More
Agriculture: Building Wealth by Breaking the Rules of Traditional Farming
Education: Classroom Without Walls, Learning and Earning in the Real World
Health: How Young People are Driving Excellence in the Health Sector
Impact Investment: Measuring Return on Investment & Designing for Scale of Impact

In this six week course, you will:

Learn about the greatest opportunities for innovations in youth employment in Africa, and how to break silos and foster effective collaboration across sectors
Create critical connections with others working on youth employment in Africa, including innovators, entrepreneurs, practitioners and policy makers.
Interact with guest expert speakers who have cutting-edge approaches towards enabling youth success, funding the sector, or shaping major shifts in the field
Increase knowledge about youth employment through discussion questions, group activities, and select readings.
Be able to recognize strengths, weaknesses and opportunities for increased impact in your work on youth employment in Africa

Apply Now for the The Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the The Future of Work in Africa: Innovations in Youth Employment

September 2, 2015 0 comment

Call for Applications

2015 SHE by Spark* Changemaker Program for Female Entrepreneurs in South Africa.

by lanredahunsi March 16, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

Location: Johannesburg

Dates: 2nd-7th August 2015

Application Deadline: 1st June 2015

SHE by Spark* is a powerful opportunity for passionate female entrepreneurs in South Africans who are at the early stages of building social businesses and organisations that exist to make a difference for women and girls living in poverty.

Eligibility Criteria:

She by Spark is looking for female South African social entrepreneurs who:

– Have already launched a social enterprise that is already making a difference in the lives of tens of women and/or girls living in poverty in South Africa.

– Want to scale their social enterprise to impact many more women and girls living in poverty.

Programme Details:

If you are successful in your application you:

– ATTEND THE CHANGEMAKER ACCELERATOR –

An intensive five day live-in workshop in Johannesburg where you join a small group of Spark* Changemakers and access world class social entrepreneurship training designed to help you focus your non-profit or business and accelerate the growth of your venture.

– ACCESS THE CHANGEMAKER SUPPORT NETWORK –

Beyond the accelerator you receive ongoing training and support from Spark* International and we connect you to experts and professionals who can help you as you launch and grow your non-profit or social business.
Specifically Spark will provide you with three years of access to graphic designers, website creators, business coaches, mentors, research assistants, lawyers and accountants (all super helpful for you as a social entrepreneur working to grow your venture).
You also have the opportunity to continually apply for small grants (approximately 2000 – 2500 rand) to help you overcome barriers and test ideas to grow the impact or sustainability of your venture.

– ACCESS POWERFUL CONNECTIONS –

Spark* is an official pipeline partner with a number of powerful organisations that can help you scale a proven social enterprise including Ashoka, Echoing Green and the Unreasonable Institute as well as impact investors to help you raise capital if you are a social enterprise. We can prepare you for these opportunities and make connections for you.

PROGRAM COST

Each successful applicant contributes 1000 Rand to the cost of the program. This amount helps Spark* provide you with 5 days of accommodation, food, transport and world class training as well as three years of ongoing support and connections.
The cost to Spark* is much higher but you are requested make this contribution to help us cover a small portion of the expenses we will incur.
If you are not able to make 1000 Rand contribution, you are encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends, family, or your community.

Notification:

You will be notified of the status of your application by the 22nd of June 2015.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2015 SHE by Spark* Changemaker Program for Female Entrepreneurs

March 16, 2015 1 comment

Call for Applications

2015 Spark Changemaker Programme for Kenyan Social Entrepreneurs (JULY 2015)

by lanredahunsi March 16, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

Location: Nairobi

Dates: 19th-24th July 2015

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 25th May 2015

Changemaker [noun] : Local impact entrepreneurs launching great ideas in very poor areas to improve the lives of people in poverty.

Spark* finds and supports these Changemakers and connects them with opportunities that will help them grow their impact, bringing more people out of poverty

Spark is looking for Kenyan social entrepreneurs who:

Have already launched a social enterprise that is already making a difference in the lives of tens of people living in poverty.
Want to scale their social enterprise to impact many more people living in poverty.

The Spark* Changemaker Program is a powerful opportunity for passionate Kenyans who are at the early stages of building social businesses and organisations that exist to make a difference for people living in poverty. If you are successful in your application you:

– ATTEND THE CHANGEMAKER ACCELERATOR –

An intensive five day live-in workshop in Nairobi where you join a small group of Spark* Changemakers and access world class social entrepreneurship training designed to help you focus your non-profit or business and accelerate the growth of your venture.

– ACCESS THE CHANGEMAKER SUPPORT NETWORK –

Beyond the accelerator you receive ongoing training and support from Spark* International and we connect you to experts and professionals who can help you as you launch and grow your non-profit or social business.
Specifically Spark will provide you with three years of access to graphic designers, website creators, business coaches, mentors, research assistants, lawyers and accountants (all super helpful for you as a social entrepreneur working to grow your venture).
You also have the opportunity to continually apply for small grants (approximately 15,000-20,000 KSH) to help you overcome barriers and test ideas to grow the impact or sustainability of your venture.

– ACCESS POWERFUL CONNECTIONS –

Spark* is an official pipeline partner with a number of powerful organisations that can help you scale a proven social enterprise including Ashoka, Echoing Green and the Unreasonable Institute as well as impact investors to help you raise capital if you are a social enterprise.

PROGRAM COST

Each successful applicant are asked to contribute 10,000 KSH to the cost of the program. This amount helps Spark* provide you with 5 days of accommodation, food, transport and world class training as well as three years of ongoing support and connections.
The cost to Spark* is much higher but Spark request that you make this contribution to help us cover a small portion of the expenses we will incur.
If you are not able to make 10,000 KSH contribution, you are encouraged to seek sponsorship from friends, family, or your community.

Notification:

You will be notified of the status of your application by the 15th of June 2015.

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Spark Kenya Changemaker Programme

March 16, 2015 0 comment

Call for Applications Social Enterprise Social Entrepreneurship

2015 Ashoka ChangemakerXchange – Training for Young Social Entrepreneurs, Istanbul, Turkey.( Fully Funded)

by lanredahunsi January 18, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: February 2nd 2015 (12:00 pm CET).

When: May 13 to May 17, 2015

Originally created in Istanbul by Ashoka and supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the ChangemakerXchange is a global collaboration platform for young social entrepreneurs. It gathers some of the world’s most exciting changemakers at summits around the world for the exchange and co-creation of ideas. The ChangemakerXchange now brings together young social entrepreneurs from 25 different countries in Europe, Turkey and North Africa.

Objectives

Identify and connect young innovators at summits around the world to build a community of like minded individuals (human connection)
create spaces and opportunities for the exchange of ideas/resources/ challenges/best case practices/tools and experiences.(peer to peer learning)
facilitate the co-creation of new ideas and cross border collaborations. (co-creation)

Eligibility:

Selection Criteria:

** You are between 18-28 years old. There are 3 places available for Changemakers up to 30 years old!
** You lead, co-lead, founded or co-founded your own social venture which is up and running and addresses a relevant social problem
** You speak English well enough to understand and make presentations in English and participate in discussions
** You are have the skills, know-how to be part of a special community of collaborative young social entrepreneurs and you are willing to play an active role in this community.

Cost

ChangemakerXchange is kindly supported by the Robert Bosch Stiftung and covers 100% of all travel and most of the conference costs for all 5 days (incl. inner city travel, food, entrance fees and more).
Participants will only be asked to pay a modest participation fee of $120 to cover part of the costs (A limited number of stipends in special cases are available upon request).

Deadline for applications is February 2nd and all applicants will be notified by February 9th.
For any questions please reach out to [email protected]

Apply Now for the 2015 Ashoka Changemaker Xchange in Turkey

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ashoka Changemaker Xchange in Turkey

January 18, 2015 2 comments

Call for Applications

2015 Transparency International School on Integrity (TISI),Vilnus, Lithuania- Scholarships Available

by lanredahunsi January 15, 2015

written by lanredahunsi

The deadline for scholarships is 1 May 2015, for all applications – 15 May 2015.

Transparency International School on Integrity (TISI) is an annual state-of-the-art anti-corruption and accountability training for future leaders. This year TISI 2015 will take place during 6 – 12 July, 2015. The School exposes its participants to the latest developments in the field of anti-corruption and accountability and offers real opportunities to try and implement their ideas in practice.

Following a rigorous selection process, selected students spend 7 highly intensive days learning from leading anti-corruption and accountability professionals. The School seeks to create a peer-to-peer learning and integrity-building environment that links theory with practice and helps young leaders to acquire better skills in bringing the anti-corruption message across.

School lectures, seminars, training and field trips provide School participants with a unique blend of international and local know-how, while also challenging the students to approach the subject from outside the box and offer novel, previously untested solutions. Since 2010, TI School has welcomed over 450 youth leaders from some 60 countries worldwide.

Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships will be available for students from certain countries. Full scholarships cover transportation, tuition and accommodation expenses. Students seeking to receive full or partial scholarships are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

In certain cases, students may be also offered partial tuition fee waivers to cover a part of their course expenses.

Since 2012 the International Anti-Corruption Conference (IACC) and Ashoka have supported this TI School scheme to encourage School alumni to develop new ideas to boost transparency, accountability and to fight corruption. The competition winners are awarded mini-grants between 500 – 5,000 Euros to support the kick-off and implementation of their community initiatives.

Innovative game-changing ideas can receive an action mini-grant of up to 5000 EUR and be assisted by TI School team to help implement the best ideas back in their home countries.

Application Procedure:

The following documents are required in order to complete your application:

1. Europass Curriculum Vitae (CV);
2. Motivational letter (max 500 words);
3. Completing and submitting the online form.

Application for a scholarship

The deadline for scholarships is 1 May 2015, for all applications – 15 May 2015.
Students applying for a scholarship will be notified about the results of the selection procedure by 22 May 2015 at the latest.

Non-scholarship application

The final deadline for applications is 15 May 2015. Students will be notified about the results of the selection procedure within two weeks of their application, by 1 June 2015 at the latest.

Apply Now for the 2015 Transparency International School on Integrity

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the 2015 Transparency International School on Integrity

January 15, 2015 0 comment

Contests

2014 Ashoka Future Forward: Youth Innovations for Employment in Africa Challenge ( $1,500 USD Funding & all-expenses-paid trip to the Ashoka Globalizer Summit in South Africa)

by lanredahunsi October 10, 2014

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline

Early Entry Deadline: October 15, 2014, 17:00h GMT
Final Entry Deadline: November 5, 2014, 17:00h GMT

If you are from sub-Saharan Africa and between the ages of 18 and 30, Ashoka and The MasterCard Foundation invite you to share how you are increasing employment opportunities for young people in Africa.

By entering this challenge, you will join a community of fellow innovators that are transforming the landscape of youth employment in Africa. Top entrants will be eligible for $1,500 USD in unrestricted funding as well as an all-expenses-paid trip to the Ashoka Globalizer Summit in South Africa where they will receive training, support, and visibility critical to their growth and to realizing the full impact of their social innovations.

As part of the Future Forward partnership, Ashoka and The Mastercard Foundation have launched the Future Forward: Youth Innovations for Employment in Africa challenge to find bold new ideas—for young people and by young people—that will address the big picture issues around youth employment in Africa.

By creating new solutions, young people can equip themselves with the right 21^st century tools and skills that will lead to more meaningful, stable, and long-term careers. Through these solutions, African youth can be the leaders and changemakers that are powering a future that meets the demands of a rapidly evolving workplace.

Eligibility

The challenge is open to all individuals, and their organizations (not-for-profit organizations, social enterprises, businesses, schools, etc.) that are implementing, or plan to implement, the work described in their entry in sub-Saharan Africa. (This includes all African countries EXCEPT Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Tunisia, Western Sahara, and Sudan.)
Entrants must be from an eligible country in sub-Saharan Africa and between the ages of 18 and 30.
Entrants based outside of sub-Saharan Africa must be explicit in their entry about their plan to implement their solution in sub-Saharan Africa.
The top five entrants that will receive an all-expense paid trip to the Ashoka Globalizer Summit in South Africa must be able to travel to South Africa for an event in early February, 2015 (this includes having a valid passport).
Solutions should reflect the theme of the challenge Future Forward: Youth Innovations for Employment in Africa.
Ashoka wants to hear how your solution is addressing youth employment in sub-Saharan Africa. Solutions that increase employment opportunities for young people, and/or increase the employability of young people are eligible. The types of solutions that are eligible could include, but are not limited to:
- Triggering new industries, including innovations in the informal sector
- Improving access to more inclusive and dynamic work environments for marginalized young people
- Helping young people acquire changemaking and entrepreneurship skills to recognize and create new opportunities around market-driven solutions
- Creating opportunities for youth employment in rural areas to decrease rural-to-urban migration
- Creating relationships of trust and collaboration between businesses and young people that advance market-driven training and skills development programs
- Prioritizing effective role modeling and mentorship to help young people identify careers based on interest and passions
- Improving the models of collaboration between governments, businesses, and citizen-sector organizations for greater impact
Entries must be written in English, French, or Portuguese.

Prizes

Challenge Winners

The top five entries in the challenge, determined by a panel of expert judges, will receive the following prizes:

Ashoka Globalizer Summit: An invitation and all-expense paid trip to South Africa for the Ashoka Globalizer Summit in early February, 2015. There they will be joining an ecosystem of, and networking with, other top innovators, thought leaders, Ashoka Fellows, and potential investors that can help them scale and increase the impact of their work.
Funding: $1,500 USD in unrestricted funding to be used towards the implementation of the work described in their challenge entry.

Early Entry Winners

The top three entries that enter the challenge by October 15, 2014 will receive the following prize:

Early Entry Prize: More information about the Early Entry Prizes will be available soon.

Challenge Finalists and Semi-Finalists

The top entries in the Future Forward Challenge will be publicly recognized as semi-finalists and finalists on the Future Forward website.

Why You Should Enter

In addition to the challenge prizes, entrants in this challenge will:

Join a community and network of like-minded peers that are working to increase employment opportunities for young people in Africa. Participating in the challenge gives you the opportunity to forge relationships with, and gain visibility, among like-minded innovators, impact partners, sector experts, and potential investors.
Receive constructive feedback about your work and how you present it in your entry.
Explore other innovations in the field, so you learn more about what others are doing, and how your work fits into the sector.

How to Enter

Complete the entry form and submit it by the entry deadline: November 5, 2014 at 17:00h GMT. If you submit your entry early, you may continue to edit and modify it until this deadline

Challenge Deadlines

Entry Stage: September 17, 2014 – November 5, 2014, 17:00h GMT
Early Entry Deadline: October 15, 2014, 17:00h GMT
- Entries received by 5 p.m. GMT on October 15, 2014 are eligible for an early entry prize. Receiving an early entry prize does not preclude you from being selected for other Challenge prizes.
Final Entry Deadline: November 5, 2014, 17:00h GMT
Judging and Evaluation: November 5, 2014 – January 14, 2015
Finalists Announced: January 5, 2015 (specific date to be confirmed)
Winners Announced: January 14, 2015 (specific date to be confirmed)
Ashoka Globalizer Summit: Early February, 2015 (specific date to be confirmed)

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Ashoka Future Forward Challenge

October 10, 2014 0 comment

Contests

Re-Imagine Learning Challenge 2014 -#Play2Learn (stand a chance to win $200,000)

by lanredahunsi May 10, 2014

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: June 25 2014

$200,000 in Prizes

10 Champions of learning through play will receive a total of $200,000 from the LEGO Foundation and have their innovations presented at the 2015 in Billund, Denmark.

The LEGO Foundation and Ashoka are teaming up in an effort to transform the way the world learns and you’re the most important player.

Up for the challenge?

Here’s the big incentive: everyone is a winner. As you share your ideas to help us map the landscape of innovation in education, we’ll give you personalized feedback and support to help bring your vision for change – what you’re most passionate about – to life. We’ll also welcome you into a global network of like-minded parents, educators, administrators, and social entrepreneurs—both online and on the ground—who are challenging the conventions of learning because changemaking can’t wait for future generations.

That’s not all: In November, 2014, 10 star Players will be named Champions of learning through play and will receive cash prizes totalling $200,000, as well as technical assistance and in-kind support.

This challenge has been designed to allow everyone to contribute, connect and benefit. If you’re designing environments where kids and adults learn through play, whether at home, in a classroom or on a playground, we want to hear about it.

Eligibility:

This challenge is open to all individuals, organizations, and partnerships from around the world who are using play or playful approaches to enrich learning.
All Players should be interested in joining a global network of change agents dedicated to re-imagine learning.
Players should have a specific and thoughtful idea for re-imagining learning.
Ideas must focus on transforming learning for children and young people using play, playful learning approaches, hands-on and minds-on strategies, or other innovative approaches.
Entries may be specific and well-planned: new ideas, or established strategies with proven impact.
Entries must be submitted in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

2014 “Players to Watch”

Two Players who submit their project before May 21, 2014, will receive all of the above, plus:

$500 cash prizes
private consultation sessions with LEGO Foundation and Ashoka Staff
exclusive opportunities to inform the construction of the competition’s supplementary entry form
feature stories on their work distributed through media channels like Forbes and Huffington Post
invitations to be featured contributors to a Twitter chat and participate in a Google+ Hangout promoted and broadcast to the broader network of competition participants
early consideration for Ashoka’s Venture pipeline (the process by which Ashoka Fellows are elected).

Note: Entrants who submit their projects or ideas before May 21, 2014, are eligible to win one of two Early Entry Prizes. Being named a Player to Watch does not preclude an entrant from being named a Re-imagine Learning Challenge Champion. All entries will be evaluated based on the Changemakers criteria at the completion of the entry period.

Pacesetters

About 40 percent of the total entry pool of Players will be named Pacesetters and will receive all of the above, plus:

The opportunity to network and receive feedback on their projects through structured peer exchange opportunities to cash-in on “offers” specified by peers in their initial entry form
Access to an exclusive semi-finalist Facebook group
Representation of their work and perspectives in the data collected and analyzed for a competition white paper
A structured opportunity to offer strategies for regional learning and education reform, and
Additional feedback from Ashoka staff on their full entry form

Pioneers

25 to 30 selected Pacesetters will be named Pioneers and receive all of the above, plus:

Invitations to participate in syndicated Google+ Hangouts for competition finalists during the final evaluation period
Structured opportunities to motivate existing benefactors to contribute to their work
Access to a competition Finalist Facebook group
Personalized feedback from official competition judges
Opportunity for a structured interview with one or two competition judges during final review period
Consideration for Ashoka’s Venture pipeline (the process by which Ashoka Fellows are elected)

2014 LEGO Foundation Re-imagine Learning Challenge Champions

8-10 selected Pioneers will be named Re-imagine Learning Challenge Champions and receive all of the above, plus:

Cash prizes totalling $200,000
Opportunity to present their innovation at the 2015 LEGO Foundation IDEA Conference in Billund, Denmark, with the LEGO Foundation covering travel and accommodation expenses.
Featured representation in competition-related media coverage
Access to regional gatherings (where available) among practitioners in the play and learning space
A private meeting with a representative of the LEGO Foundation to share their idea and vision

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Re-Imagine Learning Challenge

May 10, 2014 0 comment

Fellowships

Apply Now: 2014/2015 Acumen Fund Global Fellows Program for Next Generation Leaders.

by lanredahunsi November 13, 2013

written by lanredahunsi

Deadline: December 13 2013

DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO BE AN ACUMEN FELLOW? BE PART OF A NEW GENERATION THAT’S REDEFINING LEADERSHIP.

Established in 2006, the Global Fellows Program is a 12-month fellowship for individuals dedicated to serving the poor and who have the business and operational expertise, and moral imagination needed to effect long-term social change. The fellowship begins with an eight-week training program in the Acumen New York office, where Fellows learn about business models for the poor, hone their leadership skills, and learn more about Acumen.

After training, each Fellow works for the CEO or senior management of an Acumen investee on a critical business issue facing the organization. Fellows have worked on projects ranging from leading operations of a new business unit at a cotton ginnery in Uganda, to expanding the clinic network of a pharmacy company in India, to developing branding strategies for a microfinance institution in Pakistan.

Since 2006, we have received more than 4,400 applications from 100 countries and trained 63 Fellows from 21 countries. After the Fellowship year, Fellows continue to create social change, with 85% of the alumni currently in leadership positions at socially progressive organizations such as IDEO.org, Bridge International Academies, Endeavor, Bamboo Finance, New Island Capital, We the Change Foundation, Living Goods, Ashoka, Omidyar Network, and The Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition.

FELLOWSHIP YEAR OVERVIEW

LEADERSHIP TRAINING

September to mid-November

The Global Fellowship begins with two months of intensive training at the Acumen offices in New York. The training curriculum is based on the three core principles of moral imagination, financial expertise, and operational expertise. Acumen partners with some of the foremost organizations to deliver this leadership curriculum.

FIELD PLACEMENT

Mid-November to August

For nine months, Fellows work at one of Acumen’s portfolio companies as key staff members. Fellows work directly with entrepreneurs, interact with customers, and grapple, first-hand, with the complex issues of addressing the needs of the poor.

DEBRIEF & BEYOND

September & Onwards

Fellows return to New York to share their experiences and lessons learned with the Acumen staff and community. Fellows receive career development support to assist with their post-Fellowship career plans. After the Fellowship, Alumni remain connected through bi-annual gatherings, newsletters, participation in future selection processes, and other opportunities.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

There are four parts of the initial application:

Background Information
Your Resume/CV
Applicant Summary and Overview
Essay Questions

THE SELECTION PROCESS

November 13, 2013: Application opens
December 13, 2013: Application closes
December – January: phone interviews
February- March: In person interviews
April- May: Final candidates selected and offers made

Apply Now for the Acumen Global Fellows Programme

For More Information:

Visit the Official Webpage of the Acumen Fund Global Fellowship Programme

November 13, 2013 1 comment

Contests

Ashoka’s Nutrients for All Competition.

by lanredahunsi May 1, 2013

written by lanredahunsi

Application Deadline: June 19 2013

Ashoka’s Nutrients for All and Ashoka Changemakers are seeking your innovative solutions that will ensure the availability of nutrients for healthy, natural ecosystems, farms, food, and people. Enter before the deadline on June 19, 2013 for a chance to win cash prizes totaling US $45,000.

Alternatively, enter by May 15 to be eligible for one of two US $500 Early Entry prizes, and an opportunity to share your work with Nutrients for All thought leaders at the Ashoka Globalizer Summit in Frankfurt, Germany.

Eligibility

The competition is open to all organizations and partnerships from around the world.
Solutions should reflect the theme of the challenge — Nutrients For All: Vitality for People and the Planet —and engage in activities that help ensure the availability of nutrients for healthy natural ecosystems, farms, food, and people.
Preference will be given to solutions that have grown beyond the conceptual stage and have demonstrated impact and sustainability.
We are accepting your entry in English, Spanish, Portuguese, or French.

Prizes

Up to $45,000 in unrestricted funding to boost your project.
Early Entry Prize: One of two cash prizes of US $500 and an opportunity to participate in the Ashoka Globalizer conference in Frankfurt, Germany on June 3-4. At the conference, early entry prize winners will have the opportunity to discuss their solutions with Ashoka and a high profile group of executives in attendance. (To be eligible, you must submit your entry prior to the May 15, 2013 early entry prize deadline.)
Special Focus Prizes
- Aberdare Ventures is sponsoring up to $10,000 in funding for U.S.-based ventures.
- NetSuite.org is pleased to offer their cloud business management software, a $44,000/year value, as a prize to innovators who are ready to scale their social enterprises and take their impact on the nutrient value chain to the next level.

How to Enter

For advice about how to create a better entry and boost your chances of winning, read these tips about how to make your entry stand out.
Please complete the entry form and submit by the deadline: 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday, June 19, 2013.
Select entrants will be notified on Monday, July 1 with further instructions.

Competition Deadlines, Procedures, and Rules

Online competition submissions are accepted until 5 p.m. EST on Wednesday June 19, 2013. At any time before this deadline, competition participants are encouraged to revise their entries based on questions and insights that they receive from reviewers on their feedback dashboards. Participation in the discussion enhances an entrant’s prospects in the competition and gives the community and judges an opportunity to understand the entrant’s project more completely.

There are six main phases in the competition:

Preliminary Entry

Entries can be submitted from April 17, 2013 through 5 p.m. EST on June 19, 2013. Throughout this stage, anyone can participate in an online review discussion with the entrants.

Early Entry Deadline, May 15, 2013: Entries received by 5 p.m. EST on May 15, 2012 are eligible for the Early Entry prize.
Entry Deadline: June 19, 2013, 5 p.m. EST

For questions about the competition, email [email protected].

Submit an Idea

Nominate Someone

May 1, 2013 0 comment