CALLING ALL…philanthropists, volunteers, passionate and compassionate world changers, advocates for humanity, trail blazers in social justice, do-gooders, and seriously committed lovers of our planet and the people in it!
Contact us now to become a team partner.
Partner with a team
Every year in September, we invite high school teams from the Okanagan to take the Sustainable Development Challenge. They choose a cause they are passionate about and work with a team of their peers to create an innovative, sustainable project that will tackle one of the 17 UN’s Global Goals. Finalist’s projects will be presented in front of a community audience in February at the Sustainable Development Challenge and our panel of expert judges will choose the top team projects to receive significant financial awards to make their ideas a reality. BUT… there is a catch! The student teams have to be aligned with a Community Partner Organization. Teams connect with an NGO, CSO, Non Profit or Social Enterprise that share the same values and that could potentially be YOU! You share your knowledge, expertise and experience of your work and offer guidance and mentorship to a youth team. Student teams learn about the impact you are making and come up with a fresh idea that fits into the realm of your work and creates an amazing, youthful, unbridled passionate plan! If their project wins the Challenge, YOUR organization can support them in implementing their prize money to make the project happen! If you are interested in investing in the ideas of our young people and partnering and supporting them through this process please contact us!
“I was honoured to be able to partner with two teams in 2018-19 as part of the Sustainable Development Challenge. At the beginning my goal was to hopefully bring awareness and funding to our work. I greatly underestimated the positive outcomes that came about as a result of being part of this challenge. I really enjoyed working with the student teams. They were incredible, passionate, hard-working and inspirational young people who were determined to solve the problems and to find the best and most sustainable solutions for the people in need. I greatly admired their determination. Some of the best outcomes from taking part in the SDC were the fresh perspective the teams brought, their creative expertise, greater awareness and support for our organization, enthusiasm, and new interest in our work. In addition to this, they absolutely transformed lives and communities! Taking part in this challenge as an NGO does involve some time and work. It is totally worth it, as the more you put in the more you get back, and the more successful your solution is. I found that meeting regularly with the team really helped. You do need to be committed to helping the teams. I would also suggest, for NGO’s with projects abroad, that you ensure that the communication with the project abroad is good, otherwise it makes it really challenging for the team to provide the best solution. I highly recommend taking part in this challenge. You will not regret it.”
Benefits
The SDC provides an incredible opportunity to bring public awareness to your organization and potential funding for projects created under your supervision.
Working with youth injects new ideas and energy into your organization and you may benefit from their ongoing involvement.
Students as well as future volunteers and funders will be recruited as a result of the public presentation and media promotion. Students will provide volunteer research and assist in creating a promotional package and budget data to enable an excellent presentation that will highlight your organization.
With your assistance and support, the student team will catch a long-term vision for the goals of your organization and the SDGs you are seeking to reach. When you encourage students to explore their passions through the opportunities you offer, they will become ambassadors extending beyond the scope of the SDC.
Be present for them and they will bring your their project to success and you will be one of the catalysts for it!
Partner organizations are responsible to support the winning teams where needed and agreed upon to implement their projects to the best of their ability.
Partner Organizations who are facilitating the use of funds for student projects must report to SDC and it’s stakeholders and ensure that the funds are used to pay for the implementation of the SDC project.
Organization Role
When the students are choosing a Partner Organization and creating a project proposal with your mentorship, it is important that you are able to provide the appropriate time and guidance to the students. This can be in the form of in person and digital communication with team members. Ensure you have the ability to support them with materials as needed and respond to questions and issues in a timely manner.
Partner Organizations should always notify our SDC Partner Organization Liaison team when meeting with or communicating with students. They are here to help facilitate your partnership with students and can answer questions and make it a smooth and positive experience for all. Contact them HERE.
Organizations can assist student teams in selecting a project that is in need in their scope of work, sustainable and viable for implementation in a reasonable time frame and with the given budget. Student projects MUST be original and be developed by them. Groups can not promote an existing plan, but rather should encourage new solutions to a challenge. The chosen project must address one of the Sustainable Development Goals.
Organizations should provide ongoing support and guidance to the students as required. Encourage student involvement within your organization ie. volunteer opportunities and connections with other community mentors as well.
Follow-up with students after the prize money has been awarded to support them in implementing their project.
Communicate the outcome of the prize money and how the awarded funds impacted the SDGs.
Organizations who want to work with youth on Sustainability
Ready to take action?