Ashoka and Staples Launch Third Annual Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition

Written by on March 25, 2009 in Education, Entrepreneurship, Europe, North America, South America, World - 2 Comments

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Social entrepreneurship is really picking up momentum. On the same day that the Skoll Global Forum on Social Entrepreneurship begins, the third annual Staples/Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition has launched. The competition is a partnership between Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc. (NASD) and Ashoka’s Youth Venture.

The global competition seeks young social entrepreneurs (ages 12-24) who have taken action to solve a social ill in their community. Five teams will be selected as finalists in May. Selected members of each team will receive an all-expense-paid trip to Boston in late June and be recognized at Youth Venture’s National Summit where they will be joined by hundreds of fellow young changemakers. The Summit will provide youth with innovative workshops on skill-building, leadership and collaborative opportunities.

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At the awards ceremony, the overall winning team will be announced and presented with the Staples/Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneur Excellence Award and a prize worth $5,000.

The four remaining winning teams will receive Achievement Awards and prizes of $500 each. Following the ceremony, all five teams will have a unique opportunity to consult with, and draw from the expertise of high-level Staples executives at their global headquarters. During this information sharing session, teams will discuss their individual projects with a panel of experienced business and management professionals.

To apply, visit the official website here: www.GenV.net/StaplesYV

Important Information:
-Application Deadline: April 17, 2009
-Ages 12-24
-Criteria includes outstanding impact, innovation and potential
-Competition is open to applicants from seven countries in North America, South America, and Europe
-Five Finalist teams selected in May
-First place prize $5,000; four second place prizes of $500

Here are some cool videos featuring young social entrepreneurs:

Ashoka

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  • Invests in social entrepreneurs around the world who have innovative, sustainable and replicable solutions to society’s most pressing social problems.
  • Organization Type: Non-Profit
  • Website: www.ashoka.org
  • Founder(s):Bill Drayton
  • Founded:1980
  • Location:Washinton, DC, United States
  • See complete company list here

Image Source: investor.staples.com/phoenix, genv.net, bp.blogspot.com

Erik

Erik is a perpetually curious social innovator. As a serial entrepreneur, Erik knows a thing or two about change. As a co-founder of SocialEarth, Erik hopes to channel his passion for social advocacy into an innovative venue of social awareness for others.

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