Are you a social entrepreneur in Jordan? Do you want to see positive change in your community? Here’s your shot to take your “green” project to the next level.
Green Prophet loves to broadcast the exploits of emerging social and environmental leaders. Our writer Arwa introduced Karim Elgendy, creator of the influential LinkedIn group Carboun, focused on sustainable building in the Middle East. Tafline told of Turkey’s tree-hugging blogger, Jennifer Hattam. And I reported on Jordan’s youngest activists, encouraged to grow into better global citizens by visionary school curricula. Now there’s a limited-time opportunity for youth activists to grab some game-changing support.
July marks the beginning of BADIR, a promising new initiative that aims to equip young Jordanian leaders with the skills and know-how to strengthen and scale up their social change ambitions. Launched by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) with support from Starbucks, BADIR is part of a global network of youth leadership development programs.
The Jordan program will initially run for three years, supporting 45 exceptional youth-led social innovation projects through a rigorous program of proven leadership development activities. BADIR is designed to hit a trio of goals:
• Increase the reach and impact of youth led social change initiatives
• Facilitate learning and mentoring opportunities for participating youth
• Improve public understanding of the validity, power, and potential of youth led social change
Jordan IYF Country Director, Rana Al Turk blogged on the MENA/Starbucks website, “IYF is passionate in its belief that educated, employed, and engaged young people possess the power to solve the world’s toughest problems. And we’ve seen plenty of highly motivated, socially conscious young people in Jordan who love their country and want to play an active role in its development. These are the people that we’ll be reaching out to in the coming months and helping to realize their full potential.”
Turk notes that BADIR is built atop a decade of experience gained through IYF’s YouthActionNet leadership program and a global partnership with Starbucks, via the Starbucks Foundation. Similar national programs are underway in Australia, South America, Central America, and Turkey; each is deeply rooted in its local society. BADIR works to strengthen youth leadership within individual countries and regions.
Are you buzzed? Want to apply?
There are some ground rules. You must be between 18 and 30 years old, be a resident of Jordan, and work with Jordanian communities. Applicants must also demonstrate that they are founders or co-founders of a social change project/organization that’s been running for at least 3 months.
You can apply online, or you can download the Word version of the application form. If you opt for the paper app, fill it out and either snail mail or fax it to the address specified on the application. A selection committee made up of representatives from Jordan’s public, private, and development sectors will review and score all applications. The highest scoring 23 applications will be selected for the 2012 Class of Fellows.
Deadline is September 25, 2012.
If selected to be part of BADIR, you’ll have the chance to meet and collaborate with like-minded innovators who share your passion for positive change.
In addition to training, BADIR Fellows will be eligible to receive $5,000 through the program’s social innovation fund once they have completed the first training workshop and the funding application process. Networking’s nothing to sneeze at: participants will also join up with a vibrant global network of over 550 young social innovators in 60+ countries.
Since 2008, 84 youth-led initiatives in 30 countries have received Youth Action Grants through IYF’s partnership with Starbucks. Creation of a national-level program to support Jordan’s young social innovators is a natural extension of their existing partnership.
For more information on how you can participate, take a look at the BADIR website and follow the project news on Facebook and Twitter.
You, and your community, have nothing to lose.
::BADIR
Image of Approved Business Plan with Coffee Cup from of Shutterstock
