Opportunity for Australia’s Young Social Pioneers
26 April 2017 at 2:56 pm
Australia’s largest youth incubator program is calling on emerging social innovators, entrepreneurs, intrapreneurs and changemakers, looking to make a social impact.
Young Social Pioneers (YSP), now in its eighth year of operation with an alumni of more than 200, has opened applications for 2017.
The initiative, run by the Foundation for Young Australians (FYA), aims to give changemakers aged 16 to 29 years an opportunity to build their business and leadership skills, meet world-class mentors, join a community of innovators and gain access to a free co-working space.
FYA CEO Jan Owen AM said YSP was the only social change incubator and accelerator dedicated to young social entrepreneurs and innovators in the country.
“There are 4.3 million young people in Australia today, and by 2053 this is predicted to rise to 6.3 million. Our young people are our greatest untapped resource –brimming with ideas to drive change, but not in the driver’s seat,” Owen said.
“Our nation needs fresh ideas and new thinking to create a strong future. We can do this by investing in the diversity, ideas and talent of our young people –which is what FYA does through initiatives like Young Social Pioneers.”
To be eligible for the program applicants must be between 16 and 29 years of age (inclusive), leading, involved in or have an idea for a social change initiative and be available to participate in the YSP Intensives.
The program is made up of three intensives, each comprised of workshops, activities and networking opportunities, all designed to enhance the operating capacity of participants.
YSP alumni include Jordan O’Reilly from HireUp, Lucinda Hartley from Codesign, Taj Pabari from FiftySix, Chris Raine from Hello Sunday Morning, and Ally Watson from Code Like a Girl.
Owen said the initiative helped connect young changemakers.
“YSP offers intensive training, mentoring and venture development and connects entrepreneurs to our eco-system including the alumni, opportunities for business collaboration, to pool knowledge, learn and grow from each other,” she said.
“By connecting young changemakers through this national program we increase our potential for challenging the status quo, addressing the socio-economic inequalities and building a world that future generations want to live in.”
Applications are open until Wednesday 24 May.
For more information or to apply see here.
