Global Changemakers, Switzerland

Project name: Global Changemakers

Project location: Global (headquarters in Switzerland)

URL Website: http://www.global-changemakers.net

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Global.Changemakers.org/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/globalchangemakers/

Twitter: http://twitter.com/wearegcm

Project description

Global Changemakers is a vibrant network of young people who are creating real change all over the world. Engaging young people in project work is not a new phenomenon. Traditionally, however, a youth project is conceived (and typically implemented) by adults on behalf of young beneficiaries. The Global Changemakers approach is different. We enable young people to develop their own strategies for issues that they care about. We have a systemic approach. It starts with the selection process for our annual Global Youth Summit where 60 of the most promising youth from around the world gather for a week of training and networking. We encourage and support them to develop their ideas and equip them with tools so they can implement their own project ideas. We host keynotes and facilitate networking and workshops on topics such as project management, fundraising and public speaking. Once they have taken part in this skill building week, the Global Changemakers can apply for funds to implement their own initiatives. So far we have supported over 300 projects world-wide. These projects provide real solutions for issues from gender inequality to climate change and from discrimination to unemployment.

Our close-knit network ensures real engagement. This continues, even years after they participate in our events. Our interaction ranges from the co-creation and facilitation at new events, to connecting new Changemakers with other members of the network who are working in similar issues or by providing them opportunities to speak at forums or events of partner organisations.

Goal and purpose of the project

Our ultimate goal is to simply improve the world around us. We do so by selecting, connecting, training and supporting young people who share a vision of a sustainable, tolerant and equitative world. By bringing together young people who are eager to take action, we encourage, support and amplify their work. Whilst doing so, we foster intercultural dialogue which leads for a better understanding between people from different backgrounds.

Motivation of the applicant / applicant team

Global Changemakers is a unique organization that has been around for almost 10 years. We have successfully brought together some of the most prominent youth of this era. Global Changemakers was initially a British Council project. The project became an independent NGO in 2014, to ensure its existence. Since then we have been working hard to take Global Changemakers forward because we have seen the impact and believe in the power of young people. We are still partly in start-up phase and we are completely run by volunteers, which means we have a limited reach.

Every year when holding the selection process for our events, we see the amount of youth who are engaged and want to make a difference. Unfortunately we only have funds to bring a very small percentage of applicants to our Summits and support a limited number of projects. The prize would really give our organization a huge boost as it will enable us to expand our reach. We could engage with a large community of young people who are following us online and who don't make it to our summits.
 

Use of prize money

The prize money will allow us to create an IOS/Android application available to every young person. With this app, everyone has access to the facilitation training skills that we teach at our event. We will especially focus on who want to start a social or environmental project. Over the last ten years we have asked them what the need and found that with just a little bit of support, they can achieve an amazing impact.

For the creation of this app, we will use the available knowledge and expertise in our network comprised of youth from over 130 countries. The Changemakers work on issues ranging from Girls’ rights, poverty eradication and food security. We will make their combined knowledge and expertise available to even more young people. We know that there are thousands of young people out there who want to work towards challenges that beset us all. We know that all they need is a just a bit of support. Our app will provide them with this support.