The CWY-JCM Innovation Challenge was created to promote youth-led development solutions. CWY-JCM believes in youth-led development and innovation, whereby young people identify or define a problem, explore potential solutions and take responsibility for developing and implementing a solution. Young people have the potential to mobilize and transform the world and to advance the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The Innovation Challenge begins with a call for young people to submit thoroughly planned project ideas that answer one or more of our 4 mission pillars; Empowerment and Experience for Indigenous Communities; Sustainable Livelihoods and Entrepreneurship; Empowerment for Women and Girls; and Environmental Sustainability.

The talented and diverse CWY-JCM Innovation Challenge Committee then judges the submissions, and takes on mentoring selected finalists. Finalists receive 6 months of workshops, guest speakers, one-on-one mentoring and other support to help realize their project goal, while enhancing their own professional development.

Participants complete workshops such as proposal writing, budgeting, communications planning and much more delivered by our panel of experts, which give them an insight into a successful project development strategy, collaborative partnerships, and delivery.