World Challenge 09 - Global Competition showcasing Enterprise and Innovation at Grassroots Level

Now in its fifth year, World Challenge 09 is a global competition aimed at finding projects or small businesses from around the world that have shown enterprise and innovation at a grass roots level. World Challenge 09 is brought to you by BBC World News and Newsweek, in association with Shell, and is about championing and rewarding projects and business which really make a difference.

Plan Bee won the World Challenge 08. The Pakistani project helps female beekeepers boost their income by selling high quality honey. The northern areas of Pakistan are among the poorest and most isolated regions in the country. Effective development assistance has yet to reach these hilly, remote areas and it is the women and children who are most affected. The only workable and sustainable solution is to capitalize on local resources, building on what is achievable as well as culturally acceptable.

Your chance to nominate a project
We are looking for your nominations for innovative projects or ideas that demonstrate an entrepreneurial spirit working for the benefit of the community whilst adopting a responsible approach.

Nominations close at midnight (GMT) on the 22nd May 2009.

Nominate a project or small business for World Challenge 09

The Tech Awards Nominations are Open - Technology Benefiting Humanity

The Tech Award Laureates use technology to make the world safer and healthier, more prosperous and just.

Some of the earlier laureates include DESI Power from India and Digital StudyHall from Bangladesh and India. Read more about them.

Applications are open throughout the year.

SEE THE APPLICATION PROCESS HERE

India Social Enterprise Fellowship Challenge

Justmeans is recruiting a Social Enterprise Fellow to work out of our Pune, India office. The fellow will, among other things:

•Develop and scale our research team
•Develop a business strategy for Justmeans expansion into Asia in the first two quarters of 2010
•Work with one of our partners to launch an annual conference on sustainable development in India
•Work with our CEO, Martin Smith, to identify and secure founding academic and corporate partners for the launch of Justmeans Asia
•Work with Ashoka Fellow and COO Kevin Long to develop an appropriate mobile technology strategy for India and beyond

Read more about the India Social Enterprise Fellowship. To get the fellowship, you need to win a challenge -

Applicants must answer one of the questions below reflecting their philosophy related to the Justmeans strategy. Then, applicants will invite their friends and network to vote and comment on their idea. Once an idea is submitted, further application instructions will be provided.

Questions:
1. How should Justmeans bring its platform to Asia?
2. Why should Justmeans be in Asia?
3. How should Justmeans use mobile technology in Asia?

SEE ALL DETAILS ON THE FELLOWSHIP HERE

Tech-related Education Scholarships for students from Developing Countries

The Youth Education Scheme (YES) is one of the cornerstones of the ITU-D “Children and Youth” Special Initiative, in support of needy and deserving young people, from Least Developed Countries (LDCs), developing countries and countries in transition who wish to complete their tertiary education in the information and communication technologies (ICTs) and related fields. The objective is to enable motivated young people to contribute to the development of their communities, country and region using their achieved ICT knowledge and skills.

The goal of the selection procedure is to identify talented young people who are unable to complete their studies in ICTs and related fields without financial support.

Following applications are encouraged:
1. Studies related to information and communication technology (ICT)
2. Students who wish to continue their studies in their own country or in a neighboring country
3. Applications from women
4. Applications from indigenous people
5. Applications from persons with disabilities


More Details and Application Details are here

Talks by TED Fellows Go Online

Two of the 40 amazing TED Fellows' talks have gone online. Check out more about them:

Erik Hersman: How texting and GoogleMaps helped Kenyans survive crisis
At TEDU 2009, Erik Hersman presents the remarkable story of Ushahidi, a GoogleMap mashup that allowed Kenyans to report and track violence via cell phone texts following the 2008 elections, and has evolved to continue saving lives in other countries.



Sean Gourley: The mathematics of war

By pulling raw data from the news and plotting it onto a graph, Sean Gourley and his team have come up with a stunning conclusion about the nature of modern war -- and perhaps a model for resolving conflicts.




Wanna be on the TED Stage ???
TED is looking out for 100 amazing fellows from all over the globe to be a part of its next conference in India. Apply for being a TED India Fellow here or email to fellows@ted.com.

US Presidential Service Awards 2009

America has a long and proud tradition of volunteer service. Now more than ever, volunteers are renewing their commitment to helping others and making new connections that bring us closer together as families, as neighbors, as communities, and as a Nation.

The President’s Council on Service and Civic Participation (the Council) was established in 2003 to recognize the valuable contributions volunteers are making in our communities and encourage more people to serve. Recognizing and honoring volunteers sets a standard for service, encourages a sustained commitment to civic participation, and inspires others to make service a central part of their lives. The President’s Volunteer Service Award recognizes individuals, families, and groups that have achieved a certain standard – measured by the number of hours of service over a 12-month period or cumulative hours earned over the course of a lifetime.

To date, the President’s Council has partnered with more than 80 Leadership Organizations and more than 28,000 Certifying Organizations to bestow more than 1.5 million awards to the Nation's deserving volunteers.

Awards are available at bronze, silver, and gold levels for kids who have volunteered over 50 hours in a year, and adults who have volunteered over 100 hours. If you are a US organization and are interested in getting these awards for volunteers, get more information here.


I feel this is an amazing way to celebrate volunteering and social service. I wonder if we have something similar in India too?

The Girl Effect

Just saw an interesting video presented by the Nike Foundation and NoVo Foundation about the cycle of poverty in small villages and the impact one person can have in breaking that cycle. The concept is called the Girl Effect, and the idea behind it is that the life of one girl effects the lives of many others (her children, husband, brother, sister, mother, etc..). As an educated mother, citizen, entrepreneur and employee, she can make a difference.

Learn more about the Girl Effect.

2009 Nation Student Writing Contest

Sponsored by the BIL Charitable Trust to recognize and reward the best in student writing

How has the recession affected you, your family or someone you know?

Essays should not exceed 800 words and should be original, unpublished work that demonstrates fresh, clear thinking and superior quality of expression and craftsmanship. Winners receive $1000 and are published in The Nation magazine.

We'll select five high school and five collegiate finalists and two winners--one from college, one from high school. Each winner will be awarded a $1,000 cash prize and a Nation subscription. The winning essays will be published in a special youth issue of the magazine in October, 2009,  and will be featured at TheNation.com. The finalists will be awarded $250 each and subscriptions, and their entries will be published online.


Entries (only one per student) will be accepted through May 31, 2009. A winner will be announced by September 15.

Please send entries to studentprize@thenation.com

Apply to become a Fellow at TEDIndia

TED has opened up its application procedure for finding 100 TED Fellows to attend TEDIndia in Mysore, held Nov. 4-7, 2009.

TED Fellows will attend TEDIndia, join a two-day Fellows pre-conference event before TED starts, and then take advantage of all that the TEDIndia conference has to offer -- amazing TED talks, performances and demos; conversation and connection with TED attendees and speakers; mind-expanding insight. It's an experience that may be life-changing ... see the TED Fellows blog for insights from current fellows.

TEDIndia Fellows will be drawn from many disciplines that reflect the diversity of TED's members: technology, entertainment, design, the sciences, the humanities, the arts, NGOs, business ... and we're especially looking for international applicants. Tell your friends!

Find out more about the TED Fellows program >>
Apply to become a TED Fellow at TEDIndia >>

Applications close June 15, 2009, at noon.

PS: Read our Facebook note full of tips for applying to become a TED Fellow >>

Indicorps initiates the Young Professionals Initiative

Indicorps invites YOU, a young Indian professional, to commit your time and skills to India!  Young Professionals Initiative (YPI), a new sabbatical program at Indicorps, allows you to meaningfully bring your knowledge and talents to your land of heritage.  This pilot program of YPI gives you an opportunity to participate in short-term, goal-oriented service projects that can have an enormous impact.

 

The projects include:

 

• Legal: Amend Gujarat court processes to reduce sizeable backlog of cases
• Finance:  Assist a socially responsible start-up to create robust franchise systems and strong local entrepreneurs
• Information Technology: Integrate information systems for bottom of the pyramid start-up business
• Marketing:  Capture stories to generate interest in Ahmedabad's unique 600-year heritage
• Environmental Planning: Reinvigorate urban environmental policies for walled-city of Ahmedabad
• Education: Formulate innovative public-private partnerships to increase the adult literacy rate
• Education Policy: Strategize comprehensive action plan for statewide vocational programs

 

YPI hopes to empower young professionals to understand that their potential extends beyond 'traditional' jobs.  As with all Indicorps programs, YPI Associates will be constantly challenged and encourage to explore their roles as changemakers. 

 

The program begins with a week-long orientation and includes a mid-point and close-out workshop to track progress and share experiences.  Successful candidates for YPI will have at least three years of work experience in a capacity relevant to their applicable project.

 

YPI Term: 1 July to 1 December 2009

 

For more information and to apply, please visit us online at:  www.indicorps.org/ypi.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis (preference will be given to applications before 1 May 2009) until the start date.

 

Please contact us at ypi@indicorps.org with any questions.

 

Warm regards in service,

The Indicorps Team

Dell Social Innovation Competetion shortlists projects

Out of the 527 ideas, Dell has selected 100 ideas to move forward and compete in the next round of the competition. Check out the semifinalists listed on the website. Really happy to see some interesting ideas to change the world.

More ideas on Dell Social Innovation Competition website.

Self Sustainable Apartments


Rural Research & Consultancy


Solarcycle


SWEET India: Safe Water for Everyone using Efficient Technology

Scholarships to 2009 Greener-by-Design Conference

Steelcase, the global manufacturer of office furnishings, has funded four student scholarships to the 2009 Greener by Design conference. The four lucky student winners of the Steelcase Sustainable Design Contest will receive full conference registration, as well as travel and lodging at the event, scheduled to take place May 19-20, in San Francisco, CA.

Entering is easy:

1) Write 500 words or less about your design—defined broadly as a product, service, or business venture—with an environmental/social benefit.

2) Briefly express—through the media of your choosing—how you view the intersection of design and corporate responsibility, and your perspective on how design can play a catalytic role improving people’s lives. You can submit a photo, a short statement, or even a youtube video.

3) Submit the above materials plus a brief application form to info@netimpact.org.

Applications will be judged by Net Impact, Steelcase, and GreenBiz.com. Please note that all applicants must be full-time students.

Hurry – the application deadline is Friday, April 24, 2009.

Learn more about the contest at http://www.netimpact.org/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=2711

IFPRI Social Media Intern Opportunity

The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), in Washington DC, is one of the world's leading research institutions on international development and is seeking to fill an internship position in its Communications Division for Summer 2009. The internship offers a unique opportunity to help expand coverage of IFPRI projects through the promotion of research publications and policy-related events on various social media platforms.

Essential Duties:

Under the guidance of IFPRI's Head of Library and Knowledge Management team, the intern will:

·         Maintain up-to-date information on IFPRI's social networking profiles:  Facebook, LinkedIn, Slideshare, YouTube, using each platform's core features

·         Experiment with new social media platforms and offer strategic advice on how IFPRI can leverage its presence in these platforms to reach new audiences

·         Conduct research on best practices for nonprofits participating in online social media and write short briefs based on these findings

·         Monitor IFPRI's mentions in other online media, including blogs and international news sites

·         Track usage statistics and membership rates and work with Library and Knowledge Management team to ensure sustained growth and active participation among online community members

·         Recruit friends, contacts, and networks for IFPRI and encourage online discussions through regular postings and timely responses to friend requests, etc.

·         Attend Communications Working Group Meetings and liaise with program staff to gather appropriate content for posting

·         Participate in production and editing of audio and video content for posting to online media sites

Required Skills:

Student seeking a graduate or undergraduate degree in International Affairs, International Development, Journalism, Communications, or related field. The ideal candidate must possess excellent writing skills and demonstrated experience in online community management. We are looking for someone who is highly organized and able to work flexibly, quickly and collaboratively with technical and non-technical staff alike and be willing to take initiative as new audiences and platforms emerge. Preferred qualification: fluency in a foreign language.

 

To apply:

Please send resume and cover letter to Sarah Immenschuh - s.immenschuh [at] cgiar.org - 202-862-5679

Chirag 1-year Fellowship with a Rural Grassroots Org

Greetings from Chirag! It is indeed that time of the year again! We are just commencing promotion for the third cohort of Swades ki Khoj - a program that provides young graduates between the ages of 21 and 28 with an opportunity to spend a year living and working in a rural area.

We would be delighted to answer any other queries that you may have and welcome suggestions and comments as well.

More details on www.chirag.org or contact youth@chirag.org

Click on image to see details



Central Himalayan Rural Action Group (CHIRAG) is a non-profit grass roots development organisation registered under Societies Act (1860). CHIRAG is dedicated to empowerment of rural communities through their integrated development and has been working in the Indian Central Himalayas since 1986.

Master in E-Government - SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS

SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS FOR INDIAN STUDENTS for the International Professional Master in E-government at the University of Trento, Italy are being offered. The masters constitutes an excellent opportunity to learn technologies and work with companies on concrete projects, and hence with great employment opportunities. A strong background in basic Computer Science is required.

International Master in eGovernment
November 2009 - September 2010
Trento, Italy

To apply for admission to the Master in eGovernment, please complete the Application Form online:
http://disi.unitn.it/edu/appform/login.xml

Application Deadlines:
- April 30, 2009 for Non-EU applicants
- May 31, 2009 for EU applicants

If you are interested in the program or would like to know more about it please follow the link: http://latemar.science.unitn.it/egov.html

Contact - Anelia Grigorova <anelia@dit.unitn.it> 

Student essay contest on Middle East Development

Hands Along The Nile Development Services (HANDS) is proud to sponsor the 2009 Essay Contest. HANDS is looking for students to articulate the importance of their work in the form of an essay. Information about HANDS' work can be found at www.handsalongthenile.org.

 

Applicants are required to submit an essay (no more than 2,500 words) on the following topic: How is community development in the Middle East important to the U.S.? Why is it particularly crucial to focus on Egypt?

 

To participate, students must be a United States citizen and be a registered full-time graduate or undergraduate student at an accredited college or university in the United States at the time of entry. There will be one first prize winner, one second prize winner, one third prize winner and two honorable mentions. The first prize winner will receive $5,000, the second prize winner will receive $2,500, the third prize winner will receive $1,500, and the two honorable mentions will receive $500 each.

 

Entries must be postmarked no later than July 4th. For contest rules and more information please visit www.handsalongthenile.org.

Stanford India Biodesign Fellowship

The goal of Stanford-India Biodesign is to train the next generation of medical technology innovators in India. This highly competitive program is directed towards Indian citizens who have an interest in the invention and early-stage development of new medical technologies. Successful applicants will have advanced degrees and/or significant work experience. University faculty are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applications for the 2010 Fellowship are now open. Deadline is May 22, 2009.

More Details here

Call for Nominations: 2009 Mario Savio Young Activist Award

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE MARIO SAVIO MEMORIAL LECTURE  & YOUNG ACTIVIST AWARD INVITES YOU TO NOMINATE A CANDIDATE FOR THE 12th ANNUAL YOUNG ACTIVIST AWARD.  THE AWARD THIS YEAR CARRIES A CASH PRIZE OF $6,000, DIVIDED EQUALLY BETWEEN THE PRIZE-WINNER AND HIS OR HER ORGANIZATION.

This award is presented to a young person (or persons) with a deep commitment to human rights and social justice and a proven ability to transform this commitment into effective action.  The nominees should have demonstrated leadership ability, creativity and integrity.

Specific eligibility requirements are:

  *  Under age 26 by 9/1/09;

  *  Engaged in activism for social change, promoting the values of peace, human rights, economic or social justice, or freedom of expression;

  *  Acting within the context of an organization, social movement, or larger community effort;

  *  Considered an inspirational leader or motivating force by others in that context;

  *  Work is centered in the United States;

  *  Able to attend award ceremony in Berkeley, CA (Oct.-Nov.; expenses paid).

 

Preference will be given to candidates who have not yet been widely recognized and who do not have personal privilege or a strong institutional base of support.

 

This award honors the late Mario Savio (1942-1996), who came to national prominence as a spokesperson for the Berkeley Free Speech Movement in 1964.  His moral clarity, his eloquence, and his democratic style of leadership impelled thousands of his fellow Berkeley students to struggle for, and win, more political freedom, inspiring a generation of student activism.  Savio remained a lifelong fighter for human rights and social justice. 

NOMINATIONS ARE DUE BY June 30, 2009.  Nomination forms and additional information are available at www.savio.org or e-mail: savio(at)sonic.net

Global Impact Corps: Volunteer Abroad Opportunities

Global Impact Corps: Innovative, Effective Volunteering Abroad

Be a Global Impact Fellow in Ghana, Honduras, or India
Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter Opportunities

http://www.uniteforsight.org/volunteer-abroad

Unite For Sight has been featured weekly on CNN International and in The New York Times

Unite For Sight is the world's leader in socially responsible, effective volunteering abroad. We engage, inspire, and train high-impact volunteers who support and assist eye clinics globally.Unite For Sight supports eye clinics worldwide by investing human and financial resources in their social ventures to eliminate patient barriers to eye care. With the assistance of volunteers like you, Unite For Sight has restored sight to 21,190 patients and provided eye care to more than 700,000.

All volunteers participating in Unite For Sight's international programs are Global Impact Fellows. Our goal is to build entrepreneurial leaders who gain skills in social change through Unite For Sight's immersive global health experience. Through hands-on, structured training, we instill in our Global Impact Fellows a thorough understanding of sustainable best practice principles in volunteerism, global health, and international development. Global Impact Fellows gain skills and are nurtured to become new leaders in global health.

Why Become A Global Impact Fellow?

• Experience the thrill of contributing to change on the highest level
• Be part of global problem solving
• Receive hands-on training in community-based program delivery
• Be immersed in effective global health and eye care programs
• Be inspired to become a leader in global health
• Join a movement of social innovators committed to global health and sustainable development
• Be engaged in ethical, high quality and high impact volunteerism
• Volunteers are encouraged to pursue entrepreneurial projects and research studies
• Become part of an alumni network that supports leaders in social change

Locations (volunteer for 10 days, 20 days, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 8 weeks, 10 weeks, or more)

• Accra Region, Ghana
• Rural Villages, Ghana
• Tamale, Ghana
• Tegucigalpa, Honduras
• Bihar, India
• Chennai, India
• New Delhi, India
• Orissa, India

Complete Details:http://www.uniteforsight.org/volunteer-abroad

Empowering At-Risk Youth Through Sport

In Mumbai's slums where challenges are innumerable and many youth dropout of school Youth Venture's Ashok Rathod, 21, is getting kids back into the classroom while teaching them life skills that will stay with them forever. Three years ago Ashok started Oscar Club in one of Mumbai's largest slums, Babasaheb Ambedkar Nagar Colony, where he also grew up. It provides boys a safe place to play and learn about soccer, with the condition that they attend informal educational classes. This opportunity has encouraged young people to give up vices common on the street and move them in the direction of healthier lives with more opportunities. We talked with Ashok about the challenges that youth face in the slums and how he is using sport to give them a new purpose.

See the video here

My Technology - Peek into some Indian Grassroot Innovations

I came across this amazing set of videos on grassroot innovations in India. I'm posting some of the interesting ones here.

An umbrella that blocks 80% of UV radiation


A non-electric paddle-driven washing machine


A bicycle that runs faster on bumpy roads


A remote control to burn crackers and avoid fire accidents



Honey Bee Network maintains the biggest database on Indian grassroot innovations & contemporary/traditional innovative practices.
http://knownetgrin.honeybee.org/innovation_database.asp

Build 50-watt Light Bulbs from 2-Liter Bottles

Talk about your village ingenuity. (And yes, clearly, it's only for indoor lighting during the day)

Check more discussions at Makezine

2 PhD scholarships on "Responsible Business in the Blogosphere"

At CBS Center for Corporate Social Responsibility (cbsCSR), Department of Intercultural Communication and Management, Copenhagen Business School, Denmark, two PhD positions are vacant to be occupied from 1 August 2009 till 31 July 2012.

Closing date for applications is 29 May 2009 at 12.00 noon.

The purpose of the 3-year research project on "Responsible Business in the Blogosphere" is to investigate how corporate reputations as "responsible business" are constructed and co-constructed on-line in virtual social networks.

The research project will analyse the socio-economic value of such virtual construction of "responsible business", i.e. perceptions of corporate economic, social and environmental responsibility – corporate social responsibility (CSR). The project will – in dialogue with international corporations - develop new measurement methods that take into account the creation and influence of collective on-line-user's opinions about companies that affects corporate value creation.

The PhDs will be part of an international and interdisciplinary research team consisting of senior researchers from Copenhagen Business School (CBS) and Denmark's Technical University (DTU) including 2 post docs and 4 PhD students starting on 1 August 2009.

This 3-year project is supported by a research grant from The Strategic Research Council under the Danish Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation.

For more specific information on each position and the application process please visit the CBS job database at http://frontpage.cbs.dk/jobs/stil.pl?func=details&id=1274

Jonas Eder-Hansen
Research Director
CBS Center for Corporate Social Responsibility (cbsCSR)
Copenhagen Business School

e-mail: jonas.eder-hansen@cbs.dk

web: www.cbs.dk/cbscsr

Knight News Game Award Deadline - March 30

Just a reminder to everyone that the Knight News Game Award submission deadline is approaching fast.  If you are interested in being considered for the award please send in your submissions by March 30th.  Information about the award is below:

Our definition of a News Game - A digital game which is journalistic: it enhances people's ability to make decisions in a democracy

Games for Change is pleased to announce the Knight News Game Award at the 2009 Sixth Annual Games for Change Festival.  This year we will recognize the best news games from the past several years in an award ceremony at the Game Expo on May 28th, sponsored by the Knight Foundation.

For more information about the award, please see: http://www.gamesforchange.org/knightcontest

And for more information about the festival, please see: http://www.gamesforchange.org/fest2009

Fellowships for Business Professionals to work in Nonprofit Sector

ProInspire (www.proinspire.org) is accepting applications for the founding class of Inspire Fellows. Inspire Fellows are high performing, young business professionals, that want to use their skills to make a difference in the nonprofit sector.

The ideal Inspire Fellow has 2-5 years of work experience at a top consulting firm, investment bank or corporation--and is looking to build a career in the social sector. A Fellow should have skills in analysis, financial modeling, project management, or strategic thinking through their prior work experience and training.

Program Overview
The pilot program begins in August 2009, and Fellows will work for leading nonprofit organizations in the Washington D.C. area for 1-year. Fellows will participate in a 2-day foundational training course, ongoing workshops, mentorship programs, and networking events to support their transition into the nonprofit sector.

Fellows will be hired by well-known nonprofit organizations that are using innovative approaches to address social problems. Hiring partners include organizations focused on economic development, education, microfinance and global health.

Selection Criteria
Successful candidates will have:
• A minimum of two years of business experience
• Passion for using their business skills to have a positive impact on society
• Humility and desire to learn from experienced nonprofit professionals
• Comfort with ambiguity
• Demonstrated ability to learn quickly
• Experience in one or more functional business areas, including finance, strategy, marketing, operations, information technology and general management
• Strong analytical, problem solving, and project management skills
• Outstanding oral and written communication skills
Note: Hiring partners do not sponsor work visas.

TO APPLY, visit www.proinspire.org.

 

Applications are due by Wednesday, April 8th.

 

Similar Fellowships are offered by Atlas Service Corps - check www.atlascorps.org too - Deadline April 1st.

Ashoka and Staples Launch Annual Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition

Global Competition Will Recognize Entrepreneurial Youth Addressing Social Issues in their Communities

ARLINGTON, VA — March 25, 2009— Ashoka, the world’s community of leading social entrepreneurs, and Staples Foundation for Learning (SFFL), a private foundation created by Staples, Inc., announced today the launch of the third annual Staples/Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition. The global competition is part of Ashoka’s Youth Venture, an initiative that SFFL has helped expand globally to seven countries in North America, South America and Europe. Youth Venture identifies and fosters young entrepreneurs all over the world who are identifying problems and creating Ventures to address social issues in their communities.

The competition asks Youth Venture teams, which are made up of students between the ages of 12-24, to explain what course of action they have taken to address a social issue affecting their community.

Nominations will be accepted through April 17, 2009. In May, an elite panel of judges will select five finalist Venture teams for their outstanding impact, innovation and potential. The Summit will provide youth with innovative workshops on skill-building, leadership and collaborative opportunities.

Prizes
- ALL EXPENSE PAID TRIP for up to two members of each of the Five Winning Teams to travel to Boston, MA, USA, to attend the Staples Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneur Awards ceremony and much more!
- The Youth Social Entreprenur Excellence Award (1 Winner): US$5,000 Value
- The Youth Social Entrepreneur Achievement Award (4 Winners Selected): US$500
- FREE Attendance: Youth Venture National Summit in Boston, MA: (ALL 5 Winners)
- FREE Project Management Consultation: (ALL 5 Winners)

For additional information on the Staples/Ashoka Youth Social Entrepreneur Competition, please visit the competition web site at: www.GenV.net/StaplesYV


About Youth Venture
Ashoka’s Youth Venture® is a global movement of young changemakers. Youth Venture inspires and invests in teams of young people to start their own sustainable social Ventures and connects them into a powerful global network. Collectively, these young changemakers are redefining the youth years as a time of initiative and positive change. For more information, please visit www.genv.net.

About Ashoka
Ashoka is the world’s community of leading social entrepreneurs—individuals with innovative and practical ideas for addressing social needs. Working with these social entrepreneurs, Ashoka builds communities of innovators who work collectively to transform society and design new ways for the social sector to become more productive, entrepreneurial and globally integrated. For more information, please visit www.ashoka.org.

MNN Nonprofit Excellence Awards - Apply Now or Nominate

On June 8th, the Massachusetts Nonprofit Network will host an event that will celebrate Massachusetts Nonprofit Awareness Day, in honor of nonprofits and nonprofit leaders.

As part of this event, Nonprofit Excellence Awards will celebrate the individual efforts of nonprofit organizations throughout the state. The award celebration is planned as a formal luncheon at the State House. Award winners will receive a plaque, a complementary ticket for the event, and their legislators will be invited to present them with their awards

MNN wants the public to know and appreciate the people and organizations that are making a difference in their lives day in and day out. Interested people can nominate an organization, individual, or their own organization for one of these important statewide awards.

Some of these awards include:
MNN Nonprofit Collaboration Award
MNN Nonprofit Innovation Award
MNN Nonprofit Governance Award
MNN Nonprofit Management Award
MNN Nonprofit Advocacy Award
MNN Nonprofit Leadership Award
MNN Nonprofit Young Professional Award

For award descriptions and TO APPLY go to www.massnonprofitnet.org/awards

Applications are due on April 15

Earth Hour - Switch off your lights at this time

On March 28, 2009 at 8:30 p.m., hundreds of millions of people in more than 1000 cities in 80 countries around the world will come together once again to make a bold statement of concern about climate change.

Grants for Entrepreneurial Education Based Programs in India

At TeachAManToFish they believe that economic self-reliance is not just for individuals, but that schools can also help support the cost of the services they provide through their own income generating activities.

The Competition
To find the best school-based income-generating initiatives in India, projects which are both educational and financially sustainable.

The competition represents a great chance to unleash students and teachers natural entrepreneurship, harness local creativity, and build momentum for Education That Pays For Itself across India.

From student-run cybercafe's funding classroom improvements, to schoolyard chicken-runs laying aside profits to pay for books, the competition aims to encourage education initiatives to come up with ways to boost their financial resources at the same time as teaching practical and business skills to their students.

Winners will receive the funding and consultancy support needed to help turn their ideas into reality.

The Grants and Beneficiaries:
There are 3 grants available, to the maximum value of $5,000 each. These grants are available to:
1. Registered secondary schools, vocational colleges, & tertiary education institutions
2. Non-profit organizations, NGOs and social enterprises working in partnership with secondary or tertiary level education institutions.

In either case, beneficiaries should be in the age range of 12-25 years old and predominantly from low income families.

APPLY HERE

Hat Tip: Let Me Know

Atlas Corps gets a spotlight in the Washington Post

Atlas Corps (my fellowship organization) is highlighted in the Front Page of the business section of the Washington Post. Please check out the article, spread the word and leave a comment at the bottom of the article: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/washbizblog/2009/03/value_added_17.html

I wondered what the possible business applications of Twitter could be. While I was wondering, I got a pitch from entrepreneur Scott Beale, who used Twitter, Facebook, Craigslist and a bunch of other web sites to win $100,000 from online contests to fund his District startup.

The start-up is a non-profit. Don't press the snooze button yet. Beale approached the project as if he were building the next Google.

The article is, in part, how we are winning online contests to support our organization. So, if you want to keep things going strong, we would LOVE to have your support for an online contest that we are participating in currently - your help with a $10 donation now help us win $10,000: http://www.razoo.com/organization/Atlas-Service-Corps

Also, Atlas Corps is currently looking out for Class of 2009 Fellows. The application deadline is April 1, 2009. Do you know amazing nonprofit leaders who would like to be Atlas Corps Fellows? If so, they need to apply soon: http://www.atlascorps.org/apply.html

Craigslist Foundation Boot Camp 2009 - Save the Date!

Save the date - June 20, 2009 Craigslist Foundation's 6th Annual Boot Camp Join us at the University of California, Berkeley for a full day packed with community building ideas, tools, and networking, followed by happy hours at local pubs and restaurants. In the spirit of true community , please tell us your ideas for Boot Camp Workshops by taking our very short survey:  Boot Camp Workshop Survey More information and online registration available soon... -The Craigslist Foundation Team P.S. Make the Bay Area your 'Destination for Service' this June - even if you live here!   Consider joining the Corporation for National & Community Service and Bay Area organizations for the 2009 National Conference on Volunteering & Service from June 22nd - 24th in San Francisco.

Top 50 Social Entrepreneur Blogs To Watch In 2009

Evancarmichael.com - The newest breed of superheroes are not on the big screen, but in the small business community! People have long been awaiting for a “hero” or social entrepreneur to arrive with the special ability to recognize society’s problems and bring about global changes. Entrepreneurs who have the burning desire to create “social value” and develop long-term solutions are real life Supermen/Wonderwomen. So if you wish to help the disadvantaged by empowering them with tools for success, check out EvanCarmichael.com’s “The Top 50 Social Entrepreneur Blogs To Watch in 2009” to start improving the lives of others right now.

Check out The Top 50 Social Entrepreneur Blogs To Watch In 2009

Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) 2009 Online Webcast

For those who missed out attending the Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U) last month in Texas, check out the webcast of the Plenary Session.

Watch webcasts of the CGI U Meeting sessions, held at the University of Texas at Austin. This year’s program participants include President Bill Clinton, Natalie Portman, Matthew McConaughey, Paul Begala, and Luke Russert.

What's Clinton Global Initiative University (CGI U)?
Each year, CGI U hosts a meeting for students, national youth organizations, and university officials to discuss solutions to pressing global issues. The second CGI U Meeting was held at The University of Texas at Austin from February 13-15, 2009. Nearly one thousand students came together to make a difference in CGI U’s five focus areas: Education, Energy & Climate Change, Global Health, Peace & Human rights, and Poverty Alleviation. To learn more about the CGI U, click here.

TED coming to India in Nov'09.. Look Out!

News is out that TED would be coming to India from Nov 4-7, 2009 in Mysore. Lakshmi Pratury (TED India Director) also announced about the India conference at the TED 2009 Long Beach. I hope more details would be released very soon.

Also, while attending TED 2009 at Long Beach, we got to know about an amazing new program called TED Translated. TED along with support from Nokia will roll out a Translation platform that will enable all its talks to be translated into various languages (Hindi and Tamil included too). Each of the talks would be having subtitles that can be enabled within their website. The platform would also enable users from across the globe to translate the TED Talks into any language and share it within their community. Now this is what will help disseminate the "Ideas worth Spreading" :)

I found a raw video of the TED Translated program:


Another new program to look out for is the TED Fellows program that I was privileged to be a part of this year. The fellows program brings together world-changing innovators from around the globe to become a part of the TED community and, with its help, amplify the impact of their remarkable projects and activities.

The best thing is application process is currently OPEN for the next TED Global Conference in UK and TED is looking out for approximately 25 Fellows to TEDGlobal in Oxford, and 100 fellows to TEDIndia in Mysore.

Applications for TEDGlobal Fellows
Open: March 6, 2009
Due: April 3, 2009

Applications for TEDIndia Fellows
Open: April 20, 2009
Due: June 15, 2009

You can read about the current TED fellows here and APPLY to be considered for the fellowship program.

Free video lectures from the world's top scholars

Thousands of video lectures from the world's top scholars. Some of the subjects included are Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Economics, Engineering, English, Entrepreneurship, History, Law, Mathematics, Medicine, Philosophy, Physics, Political Science, Psychology, and Religion.

And you can download them too. Check out http://academicearth.org

Here is one of the interesting ones I found on this website:

The World is Flat 3.0 - Thomas Friedman

IYF Seeks Dynamic Young People Leading Social Change

There’s a lot of talk about the problems facing our world today, but it takes a special person to find a solution and put it into action – a social entrepreneur. The International Youth Foundation (IYF) is in search of 20 young social entrepreneurs from around the world for its YouthActionNet® Global Fellowship Program.

Sponsored by Nokia, the YouthActionNet® Global Fellowship Program recognizes young social innovators for their outstanding achievements. Past winners have undertaken a range of special projects, including: providing low-cost, solar lighting to rural families in Nicaragua; using mobile phone technology to combat pharmaceutical fraud in Africa; and employing low-income women in the Philippines to transform discarded fabric into fashionable accessories. Profiles of the 2008 Global Fellows can be viewed at: www.youthactionnet.org

The Global Fellowship is open to qualified candidates between 18 and 29 years old. Applicants must be proficient in English and have founded existing projects or organizations with a clear vision for social change. This can include leading a new project within an existing organization. Winners will be announced on August 1, 2009.

The yearlong Fellowship includes:
• An all-expense-paid trip in November 2009 to attend the YouthActionNet® Global Fellowship Retreat that enables the 20 youth leaders to share best practices and learn from each other;
• Recognition for their efforts at the Annual YouthActionNet® Global Awards Ceremony;
• Networking with leading international nongovernmental organizations, development agencies, and donor institutions; and
• Virtual learning sessions, as well as access to global advocacy platforms, media coverage, and funding opportunities.

The deadline for applications is April 15, 2009. Application information is available at: www.youthactionnet.org

2009 TEDGlobal Fellows Applications Open

Applications for fellowships at TEDGlobal 2009 have now opened!

We're excited to begin the search for the inaugural class of TEDGlobal Fellows, who will participate in the TEDGlobal Conference in Oxford, U.K. Following the successful Fellows program launch in Long Beach, CA, we're looking for the next eclectic group of 25 innovators from around the world.

TED Fellows may apply or be nominated by another individual. Please follow this link to apply. To nominate a candidate, email fellows@ted.com. The program will accept applications for fellowships from March 6, 2009 through April 3, 2009.

Who should apply
We are looking for an eclectic, heterogeneous group of young thinkers and doers from the fields of technology, entertainment, design, the sciences, engineering, humanities, the arts, economics, business, journalism, entrepreneurship and NGOs.

We are targeting applicants of ages 21-40 from five target regions: Africa, Asia/Pacific, the Caribbean, Latin America, the Middle East. However, anyone over age 18 from around the world may apply.

For more information the TED Fellows program, please visit http://www.ted.com/fellows.

Unsung Heroes of India

Last night, CNN IBN (a national television channel) hosted its second annual Real Heroes Awards. The event celebrated “ordinary people with extraordinary achievements” across India.

The twenty-four awards given recognized people working for women’s rights, education, the environment, health care, and youth empowerment. Out of those twenty-four heroes, four of them were from the Ashoka family:

• Ela Bhatt is a Senior Ashoka Fellow. She won the Real Heroes Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1972, she founded the Self-Employed Women’s Association, or SEWA, as an institution for poor working women to become self-reliant. Ela pioneered micro-financial programs through SEWA, which today has over one million members.

• Anshu Gupta founded Goonj to supply impoverished rural communities with the resources they desperately need. By recycling the materials considered to be waste in urban areas, Goonj provides rural women with sanitary napkins, rural schools with books and supplies, and rural families with clothes to survive the bitter winters.

• Rangaswamy Elango is working on Rural Development by reforming the Panchayati Raj System in Tamil Nadu. She won the award in the category of Rural Development.

• Ashok Rathod is a Youth Venturer who uses football to engage and empower the young people living in his slum. He has used football to wean them away from drugs and abuse, and help them learn the skills for life ahead.
Watch his video at: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/this-real-hero-teaches-football-with-a-rider/86583-3.html

Watch the MAIN EVENT VIDEO at: http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/86988/cnnibn-awards-the-real-unsung-heroes-of-india.html

Energize & Win $10,000

DoSomething.org is participating in a joint promotion with Mountain Dew Voltage that gives groups of young people the chance to win grants to get involved and energize their communities. The contest is called "Power In Numbers", which will be giving away a total of $100,000 in grants divided for ten winning finalists.

How to win:

Put together a team of 3-10 people between the ages of 13-25. Come up with a creative idea that will make a positive change in the world. Designate a team captain that will connect with the sponsors, provide them with team information, and answer a series of detailed questions about your project.

The second submission phase begins March 9th, 2009 and will end on April 6th, 2009.

Check out the contest details for more specific rules and regulations.

Here are what some of the contestants are submitting:

The Sparkle Effect: To inspire high school students across America to create special needs cheerleading squads.

Solar Woodstock: Aim to create an economically and environmentally sustainable school by using solar energy.

Youth United for Darfur: Students from around Chicago rally together to show the world that teens won't stand for genocide.

The Uta Community Center: Building a resource for South African youth to fight the legacy of apartheid in their community.

Ref: Change Wire

India Changing: Plastics banned in Delhi

Poster on the shop of a small vegetable vendor - "Please don't make the shopkeepers ashamed of you (and themselves) by asking for polythene bags. Please bring your own bag with you. Bye Bye to Poly-Bag. Help us keep the environment clean."

I came to know about this when I had to carry back vegetables from the shop in my hands and pockets. But it's great to see the change happening in Delhi. Although Delhi Govt. had been planning about this since years, a complete ban on Plastic bags was finally implemented about a month back in Delhi.

But there has been news that many shops are ignoring and still using the plastics openly for daily sales. CNN-IBN also reports that it's the small shopkeepers who have stopped using polythene bags but the big shops in the top ministers’ constituency continue to ignore the order.

Response Able Design Challenge 09

Four RADC09 expeditions are taking place in July, August and September 2009.

Students, managers, executives, environmentalists and entrepreneurs will be challenged to explore, discover and apply their creativity, design, communication and leadership skills in addressing the 'Glocal' challenges of climate change, the urgent need to create value in the transition to a low carbon economy and in creating more resilient communities.

More details at http://www.responseabilityalliance.com/html/radc09.html


See Image below

Calling all Women in Mobile for Good!

Another TED Fellow, Katrin Verclas, and her organization MobileActive are doing a special feature on amazing women who are using mobile technology for social change for International Women's Day (March 8).

Are you one? Know anyone? If so, please let us know who they are and how they use mobile technology to make the world a better place. And please spread the word!

We are looking for amazing women from all over the world. The sisterhood at MobileActive is doing great work in Liberia, Pakistan, South Africa, USA, Mexico, Niger, India, Senegal, Mozambique, etc -- you name it :) Watch MobileActive.org on March 8th for more fun :)

So, please look around in your circles of amazing (mobile) women and let us know who comes to your mind! Last date to send your entries - 8th March. You can email at katrin@mobileactive.org

Atlas Corps Intl. Fellowship (Bogota, Colombia)

Atlas Corps is seeking the best rising and mid-career nonprofit leaders from the United States to apply for a one-year fellowship in Bogota, Colombia.

Successful candidates will be placed at nonprofit organizations in Bogota, Colombia, including Compartamos con Colombia, Give to Colombia, and Oxfam GB.

The 2009-10 program, which begins in early September with a week-long orientation and training session, will provide a full-time on-the-job training experience as well as knowledge and skill-building opportunities aimed at creating future nonprofit leaders.

Each Fellow will receive assistance applying for a travel visa, international travel to and from the host placement, a modest living stipend, medical insurance, and a $2,500 end-of-service award.

Successful applicants will have three or more years of experience in the nonprofit sector; a bachelor's degree; excellent written and verbal English and Spanish skills; and be committed to returning to the U.S. at the end of the program.

The DEADLINE to apply is April 1, 2009.

For more details, contact Kimi Wetterauer.
Phone: 202-736-5714
Email: applybogota@atlascorps.org
Web Site: www.atlascorps.org

Campus Climate Challenge - India

In recognizing that college and high school campuses are ideal places for youth to experiment and demonstrate their creative climate solutions, while also sharing climate solutions with other youth, IYCN is seeking to develop capacity of Campus Climate Changers across the nation, who would take up the Campus Climate Challenge, to reduce the carbon footprint and environmental impact of their campus as a climate solution and inspire other campuses across the country.

This can begin with an energy, water and waste audit of your campus — create a baseline. If you can’t find all the data, find what you can, and then move forward to what you can do. Calculate energy consumption, find a way to reduce it, and prove to your administration that your plan will work!

Details here: http://www.indiaclimatesolutions.com/campus-climate-challenge

Giving USA Photo Contest 2009 - Apply Now

For do-gooder photographers, Giving USA is seeking images for their cover.

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS: April 15, 2009

Giving USA Foundation is seeking unique and compelling photos to grace the cover of its seminal report, Giving USA. This popular contest will showcase the work of a talented photographer on the cover of Giving USA 2009, as well as the back cover and interior chapters. We are seeking images of people providing direct assistance through a charitable organization or volunteer effort that represents the spirit of giving. Activities could include fundraising, delivery of services, or other types of assistance.

Photos selected for the cover will be printed in black and white or black with another color (duotone).

Entries must be:

Available in at least 300 dpi resolution;
Electronic format (JPEG preferred);
Owned by the entrant (individual or organization), who will agree to give Giving USA permission to use the photo at no charge;
Accompanied by an entry form, including assurance that subject(s) of photograph have given permission in writing for the photograph to be used.

Color photos accepted, but black and white preferred.

The judges will be looking for photographs that reproduce well in black and white (or duotone), that convey the importance of giving, that tell a story, and that are not dominated by the logo, name, or service mark of any one charity. The judges' selection will be final. A blue ribbon panel of nationally-known photographers will select the winners.


Winning entries will receive:
Acknowledgement in Giving USA 2009
A complimentary copy of Giving USA 2009 ($75 retail value)
Prominent mention in press release distributed to major media in the philanthropy sector
Their photos posted at the Giving USA Web site for an unspecified time but beginning around June 29, 2009.

Send submissions by e-mail to sbond@connect2amc.com or by mail (on CD) to Sharon Bond, Giving USA Foundation, 4700 West Lake Avenue, Glenview, IL 60025. Only electronic images will be accepted (jpeg format preferred). For judging purposes, low-res images are acceptable, but high-res versions must be available (at least 300 dpi) from the winner.

For Online Submissions, Apply at http://www.givingusa.org/press_releases/gusa/contest/