15 of 60 young people who participated in the “Virtual Young Changemakers” project, developed to help young people find jobs and put their ideas into practice, have become the winner of the project/program.

ASMAA FETHI

Cairo- About 60 men and women aged between 14 and 21 from Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, and Tunisia participated in the “Virtual Young Changemakers” project/program carried out by the Ashoka Arab World in cooperation with the IbtikarKhana, the first local Egyptian Social Entrepreneurship School in Egypt and the MENA region.

The project was initiated to support young people to build teams and launch initiatives to create social impact in their communities, distinguishing themselves as driven and passionate young leaders. The young people who participated in the six-month project expressed their opinions. 15 of 60 young people became the finalists of the Virtual Young Changemakers’ Challenge. Finally, six young innovators have been awarded technical and financial support for their innovative ideas.

“250 children participated in the challenge”

At the award ceremony, Iman Bibars, the Regional Director for Ashoka Arab World (AAW), stated that everyone has been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. Stating that the Ministry of Social Solidarity allocated 570 million Egyptian pounds to their project in order to support young people to find job opportunities, Iman Bibars said the ministry attaches importance to providing job opportunities for the young people. She also reported that 230 talented children participated in the Virtual Young Changemakers’ Challenge.

“The ministry focuses on ending unemployment”

Minister of Social Solidarity, Dr. Nivine El-Qabbage made a speech at the award ceremony and she underlined that the ministry focuses on ending unemployment and poverty.

Enas Al-wakeel, one of the six winners of the challenge, is a dental student and the founder of EDent. “I will import toothbrushes from China with the support of the Ashoka Arab World.

Ashoka was founded in 1980 based on the idea that the most powerful force for good in the world is a social entrepreneur. Today, Ashoka operates in more than 90 countries on every continent, having elected more than 3,500 Ashoka Fellows worldwide.