Apply for the Ashoka’s Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge ($1000 for each of the 10 selected winners)!

AdminMay 17, 2024

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Apply for the Ashoka's Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge ($1000 for each of the 10 selected winners)!

Unlock your impact with the Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge

Ready to lead the charge for a greener future? Ashoka’s ‘Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge’ in collaboration with the Anglo American Foundation is calling on young people aged 16 – 25 across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, and Botswana to unleash their agency and innovation in tackling climate change through ideas and existing initiatives. Join Ashoka Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge in shaping a more sustainable world and making a lasting impact on our planet’s future!

Who Ashoka is looking for?

Spearheading ideas and innovations that address climate change:
Ashoka is seeking ideas and innovations that are aimed at climate change mitigation and adaptation. Thus, driving forward youth agency and the agenda of a sustainable world.

Building on existing climate change solutions and indigenous climate knowledge systems:
Ashoka is seeking ideas and innovations that aim to enhance and support established and existing climate solutions and/or integrate indigenous climate knowledge – by increasing their effectiveness, visibility and impact, moving us closer to a sustainable future that incorporates more culturally sensitive approaches to climate change.

Increasing access to climate literacy at all socio-economic levels:
Ashoka is seeking ideas and innovations that foster broader understanding and engagement surrounding climate change. By ensuring that people from all backgrounds have access to critical climate knowledge and bringing more people into the climate change conversation, this may result in more diverse involvement towards sustainable solutions and encourage agency within communities.

*Applications can meet one or more of the above

Timeline

Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge Prize Packages – Awards and Recognition

All eligible applicants will receive:

Ashoka & Anglo American Foundation networks feedback on their entries.
Optional peer feedback via the Challenge online platform, including the opportunity to view, review, and connect with other YACC Challenge applicants.

Access to information and learning sessions.
Networking opportunities to connect with like-minded peers, and experts in the field.
Access to online resources on changemaking and social entrepreneurship.

Click here to view terms & conditions.

Early Entry Standout

All those who apply by the Early Entry Deadline will receive feedback to improve their application before the final deadline of July 30, 2024.

$100 awarded to each of 3 selected winners, if your application is submitted by 30 May 2024.

Semi-finalists

Opportunity to refine applications based on feedback from reviewers.

Access to roundtable offerings with like-minded peers.
Feature on Ashoka’s communication and social media platforms.

Finalists

Access to roundtable offerings with like-minded peers.
Feature on Ashoka’s communication and social media platforms.

Winners

$1000 for each of the 10 selected winners.

Invitation and hosting at the in-person celebratory event in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Access to storytelling and networking opportunities.
Opportunity for mentoring from seasoned social entrepreneurs.

Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge Eligibility Criteria

Participants for the Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge must meet the following eligibility criteria:

Young African Climate Changemakers Challenge Evaluation Criteria

Ashoka is looking for innovative and creative ideas at all stages of development, which means it can be a new idea or a fully baked one! Each of the below 4 criteria will be considered equally in the evaluation of each application.

Changemaker Qualities

Participant is passionate about making a change for the good of all. Unlocking their agency by solving for the problems in climate change and activating others to take action. 

Connection & Community

Participant has a strong commitment and deep understanding of the problem he/ she is trying to address. Their ideas and innovations involve community participation and are driven by the aim of creating resilient communities. 

Innovation

Participant’s initiative/solution is original and creative. This might involve inventing something , novel use of technology, and/or applying new ideas to existing solutions. We are particularly interested in solutions  that can  lead to widespread change through mindset shift or community engagement. 

Sustainability & Scalability 

Participant’s initiative/solution has plans for continuing to create impact in the long-run through (a) the feasibility, scalability, replicability and adaptability of their solution in local contexts; and (b) mobilising resources such as team members, partnerships, funding or other support networks.

Have a question about the Young African Climate Changemakers challenge or need support? Email Ashoka at YACC@ashoka.org, or message us on Instagram @ashokachangemakers or @ashokaafrica .