What is the Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program?
The Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program is an initiative launched by the Schneider Electric Foundation in celebration of its 25th anniversary. The program aims to select and support 25 impactful and innovative youth projects across 5 continents. Led by the Schneider Electric Foundation and in collaboration with the Fondation de France and Ashoka Changemaker Companies, the program focuses on the concept of a “just transition.”
What is a “just transition”?
According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), a just transition involves greening the economy in a fair and inclusive manner, creating decent work opportunities, and leaving no one behind. The Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program seeks to promote projects that align with this vision and contribute to sustainable development, social inclusion, and community empowerment.
How does the program work?
The Schneider Electric Foundation, with the assistance of Ashoka offices, will select 5 projects per continent, totaling 25 ideas. Each continent will have a first prize of 30,000 euros, a second prize of 20,000 euros, and two third and fourth prizes of 10,000 euros each. Additionally, there will be an “audience prize” awarded to the favorite idea of Schneider Electric employees, with a reward of 2,000 euros. Furthermore, one project out of the 25 selected will receive the special prize of “Youth Innovation Champion” worth 50,000 euros at the COP29 event in November 2024.
Selected projects will also benefit from increased visibility through the social media channels of both the Schneider Electric Foundation and Ashoka countries. The program is open to organizations with a social purpose, existing for more than a year, and located across all 5 continents. Each continent will have a jury selected in the preferred language, consisting of regional directors, members of the Young Sustainability Leaders, and representatives of the Schneider Electric Foundation and Ashoka.
To apply, organizations need to fill out a questionnaire and provide additional documents, such as bylaws, activity and financial reports, bank account details, and a list of board members. Only complete applications will be considered. The program prioritizes projects related to just transition, awareness and inclusion, professional training in energy management, entrepreneurship, and gender.
This call for projects is open to Europe/Middle East/Africa geographical zone, including the following eligible countries: Albania, Algeria, Angola, Austria, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Belgium, Benin, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Djibouti, Egypt, Eritrea, Estonia, Ethiopia, Finland, France, Gabon, Georgia, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Ivory Coast, Israel, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kosovo, Kuwait, Latvia, Lebanon, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malawi, Mali, Malta, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, Mozambique, Namibia, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Oman, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Sudan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Turkey, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Uzbekistan, Zambia.
For more information and to submit a project, visit the Youth Innovation for a Sustainable Future Program website.