By Ikenna Asomba
The ChangemakerXchange, a global collaboration platform, has called on young social innovators aged 18-35, who have founded or led their own social venture or an innovative social initiative within a public, private sector or media institution, to participate in its first ever #ChangemakerXchange Summit, billed to hold from November 28 to December 1, 2017, in Dakar, the capital city of Senegal.
Co-created by Ashoka and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the ChangemakerXchange is a global collaboration platform for young social innovators to connect and co-create with peers around the world.
The impact of ChangemakerXchange can never be under-estimated as it has produced over 350 Changemakers across 65 countries, with over 90 Global Collaborations, reaching over 100,000 people.
In a statement, the ChangemakerXchange team, reeled out instructions interested participants must follow to qualify for the epoch-making summit for Changemakers driving positive social change across sectors.
The statement read: “Join the first ever #ChangemakerXchange summit in West Africa: Dakar, Senegal from November 28th to December 1st 2017. Co-created by Ashoka and the Robert Bosch Stiftung, the ChangemakerXchange is a global collaboration platform for young social innovators to connect and co-create with peers around the world.
“APPLY NOW: in English and in French
“Eligible countries are: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Côte D’ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo.”
The statement noted that Eligibility requirements are for young social innovators aged 18-35 who founded or lead their own social venture or lead an innovative social initiative within a public, private sector or media institution.
“The deadline for applications is midnight GMT on 15th October, 2017,” it said, adding that “the summit will gather some of the world’s most exciting changemakers at impact retreats in beautiful spaces around the world for the exchange and co-creation of ideas.”
The statement further enjoined Interested participants to “please make sure to read the following information carefully before applying. Should you have any questions or comments, please do not hesitate to reach out to TCHANLANDJOU KPARE at tkpare@ashoka.org
“The summit will take place from 28TH OF NOVEMBER 2017 evening until 1ST OF DECEMBER 2017 morning and participants must be able to attend all days. The deadline for applications is midnight GMT on 15TH OF OCTOBER 2017.”
On the Selection Criteria, it said: “Applicants for ChangemakerXchange: **Must be aged between 18 and 35. Please note a limited number of three places is available for 29- and 35-year-old applicants. **Should lead, co-lead, have founded or co-founded their own social venture which is up and running and addresses a relevant social problem. We are unable to accept applicants with an idea only or who are volunteering for an organisation. **Must have a good level of English that enables them to understand, present, and collaborate throughout the summit. **Should have the skills and know-how to be part of a special community of collaborative young social entrepreneurs and be willing to play an active role within this community. **Must come from BENIN, BURKINA FASO, CAMEROON, CÔTE D’IVOIRE, The GAMBIA, GHANA, GUINEA, GUINEA BISSAU, LIBERIA, MALI, NIGER, NIGERIA, SENEGAL, SIERRA LEONE, TOGO. Please visit changemakerxchange.com to read the full details of our selection process.”
On the Logistics and Costs, the statement read: “ChangemakerXchange covers your travel costs to/from DAKAR/SENEGAL, as well as all of the conference costs for all four nights and five days (including hotel accommodation, inner city travel, food, entrance fees, etc.). Top tip: Please draft your application in a Word document before filling out the following form, as it does not allow you to save your progress. Best wishes and good luck!”
