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 now in shaping a more sustainable world and making a lasting impact on the planet’s future!

Benefits

• 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.
• Early Entry Standout
  • $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.

Who are they looking for?

• Spearheading ideas and innovations that address climate change:
  • They’re 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:
  • They’re 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:
  • They’re 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.

Eligibility Criteria

• Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria:
  • Applicants must be between 16 – 25 years old at the time of application, and not older than 25 by the end of the entry period.
  • Applicants must be a resident of one of the following 4 Southern African countries: South Africa, Zimbabwe, Botswana & Namibia.
  • Entries will only be accepted in English (Challenge communication & content will be delivered in English).
  • Limit one entry per person/team.
  • Applicants must be the founder or co-founder of the initiative their application represents.
  • Applications must be:
    • Idea-stage initiative (participant has an idea on how to solve a problem they have identified and has a plan of action) or,
    • An existing initiative that is being implemented at any stage of development (participant has proof of concept by having piloted and done first few activities/ has established activities / is scaling).
  • Winners under 18 are required to be accompanied by one adult chaperone to the in-person event and must be approved by their parent or legal guardian.

For more information, visit Ashoka.