Global Youth Fund is awarding four schools $1,000 grants to create change. Click image for more details.

Global Youth Fund is pleased to present Changemakers – an innovative project on global citizenship.

New to North America, new to the world, Changemakers presents a daring new vision of citizenship for our modern times.

It’s founded on the belief that young people – working together – can become the most imaginative and influential world leaders, and bring about inspired change… on a scale never seen before.

All this is possible when we use a more group-based approach to leadership – one that puts emphasis on group intelligence and “collective wisdom.”

See how it all works by starting a chapter and recruit members. We will then help facilitate you and your peers through a collaborative process to design and choose your own project for global change.

Through seminars, workshops, and creative dialogues, you will help one another…

• generate ideas for global action
• research and nominate projects for adoption
• evaluate projects through dialogue & debate
• set achievable, measurable goals
• vote democratically to adopt ONE project as your official campaign

Once a project is chosen, members will then work together to fulfill campaign goals.

Actively involving students in problem-solving and decision-making processes, all within the context of global awareness and outreach, GYF is a perfect example of 21st century education at its best! 
~ Dr. Joanne Marien, Superintendent, Somers School District

Phases

The Changemakers Program can vary in length (4 months to a year, depending on the chapter) but it always consists of four phases:

I. Research
Members gather information on humanitarian or environmental causes they would like to support or come up with ideas on projects to launch in the community. For example, you might consider raising funds to help an international charity build schools in Africa or you may want to create an organic vegetable garden at your school.

Once you have an idea you’re passionate about, submit a nomination form for the chapter to consider.

We encourage you to come up with your own ideas but feel free to consult our Ideas Bank.

II. Dialogue and Selection
Chapters use our meeting guides and curriculum to organize dialogues and discussions about global issues and proposed solutions.

You work as a group to evaluate project ideas and choose three finalists.

We will then help you  organize and facilitate a day-long “youth assembly” to choose your official campaign or project.

This phase of the program will expose you to various concepts and leadership skills, including:

• Collective Wisdom
• Consensus Building
• Project Evaluation
• Methods of Voting 
• Open Space Technology

III. Community Engagement
With online or direct support from GYF, chapters organize activities in their schools and communities to raise awarenes and funds for the adopted campaign.

Activities may include but are not limited to:         

IV. Reflection
At the end of the campaign or project, chapters convene another youth assembly  to reflect on their successes, identify areas for improvement, and celebrate their achievements.

Each chapter takes a formal vote to disperse funds to the appropriate charities or beneficiaries.

Chapters then adjourn until the next cycle begins. 

What You Can Do

• Start a chapter at your school. Contact us.
• Let interested youth or teachers know about our program
• Let us know how we can support your efforts as changemakers

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