Changemakers Program
Changemakers Program
Our Objective
The Changemakers Program is a hands-on, six-month training program co-designed with and for youth from Kenya, Madagascar, Peru, and Switzerland. It equips them with transferable skills and knowledge to drive positive change in their communities. The program is closely aligned both thematically and geographically with the Regional Stewardship Hubs, complementing and contributing to local youth empowerment.
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The project was launched on June 1, 2023 and is currently in progress.
Summary
The Wyss Academy reaches out to key stakeholders and builds strategic alliances to inspire and promote a new social contract with nature. In 2023, the Wyss Academy launched its Changemakers Program: this training program empowers and equips young people from Kenya, Peru, Madagascar and Switzerland to play leading roles in fostering sustainable development.
Participants develop and implement their own local community projects and learn what it takes to succeed in policy advocacy and entrepreneurship. Through this, they gain transferable skills and knowledge to drive positive change in human-nature relationships within their communities.
Building networks is another important focus of the program. Several Changemakers have showcased their innovative projects, insights, and the program itself at national events in their respective countries. Since its launch in June 2023, the program has welcomed 60 participants from four countries.
External stakeholders: Emzingo Group–LLC, Goodwall SA, Aiducation International, Nature Explorers Peru, Youth First Madagascar & Impact Kenya.
Project Connections
Timeline
Changemakers summit: Public Event
Project Update February 16, 2024
At the program's closing public event, Changemakers presented their climate-positive business models to an audience of 70 prominent guests from academia, local governments, NGOs, and the private sector. This dynamic event celebrated youth-driven leadership, with each team’s solution judged on scalability, sustainability, and market potential. The event highlighted the Changemakers’ journey, their dedication, and the promising role of young leaders in environmental innovation and social change.
Changemakers summit: Hackathon
Project Update February 15, 2024
At the program’s summit in Kenya, participants took part in an intensive hackathon, where they formed teams to develop youth-led, climate-positive business models. During this high-energy event, the young Changemakers brainstormed innovative solutions for sustainable business ideas, aiming to align with the Wyss Academy East Africa Hub’s mission and envision eco-friendly businesses for national and international markets. This collaborative experience sparked creative thinking, teamwork, and groundbreaking solutions in climate action.
Changemakers Summit, Naibunga Visit
Project Update February 12, 2024
At the program’s summit in Kenya, participants visited Naibunga Conservancy, where they experienced firsthand the power of community-led conservation and sustainable land management. The Naibunga visit offered a unique, on-the-ground look at how local initiatives can protect wildlife, restore ecosystems, and ensure sustainable livelihoods. This transformative experience showcased the impact these young leaders could bring to conservation efforts within their own communities.
Empowering Youth for Global Impact - Summary of our first cohort
Project Update January 8, 2024
Changemakers Program launch
Project Update June 1, 2023
The Changemakers Program is a transformative initiative designed to empower and equip youth from Kenya, Peru and Switzerland with the transferable skills and knowledge to drive positive change in their communities. 🌱 This is a program designed with and for youth.In 2023, our program guided and supported a cohort of 31 pre-selected Changemakers in their learning journey while fostering a collaborative and inclusive environment. By co-creating a 6-month long program (June 2023 to January 2024) alongside young participants, the program creators and designers Wyss Academy for Nature, Goodwall and Emzingo ensure that the curriculum is relevant, engaging and tailored to meet their needs. 🌎The 2023 cohort concluded the program with a weeklong Final Summit which took place in beautiful Isiolo, Kenya, marking a significant milestone in their journey of innovation and social entrepreneurship. This event was the culmination of months of hard work, learning, and collaboration among the young leaders committed to creating positive environmental impacts through sustainable business practices.The agenda highlights included a visit to Naibunga Conservancy, illustrating the impact of community-led conservation efforts and sustainable land management practices.In an intensive hackathon, participants formed mixed teams to tackle the challenge of building youth-led, climate-positive businesses, aligning with the Wyss Academy EAF Hub’s mission. This intense session fostered creativity and collaboration, as teams developed viable business models aimed at environmental sustainability and economic viability, intending to integrate these into national and international markets. The summit concluded with a public event at which the teams proudly presented their solutions. They were judged on scalability, sustainability, and market potential by an esteemed audience of approx. 70 guests from academia, local governments, the private sector, and NGOs. This event celebrated young leadership and collaborative efforts toward a sustainable future, emphasizing the critical role of youth in driving environmental change and innovation.The program designers are currently preparing the second edition of the Changemakers program and are working on initiatives to further engage with and build on the strengths of the 2023 alumni cohort.Together we strive to cultivate a community of driven individuals passionate about positively impacting and driving sustainable development in their respective communities. 🚀
Team
- Project contact
Project contact
Emine Ertugrul
Engagement Specialist
