Social Entrepreneurs Initiative for West Africa - Call for Applications!

Transparency International, in collaboration with the Open Society Institute for West Africa (OSIWA), is launching a Social Entrepreneurs Initiative (SEI) for West Africa. The initiative aims to support innovative ideas from young people to boost transparency, accountability and the fight corruption in their communities.

As today’s citizens and tomorrow’s leaders, young people have the potential to make a difference by creating a world free of corruption. Transparency International places a strong

emphasis on promoting youth integrity, as the fight against corruption begins with instilling strong values and honesty in young people.

The Social Entrepreneurs Initiative invites young people aged 18 to 35 from West Africa to take part in a Regional Competition on ‘Promoting Integrity in the Education Sector’. 

Participants should submit proposals for projects that offer an innovative approach to promoting integrity in the education sector. Specifically, the competition invites proposals that address some of the challenges highlighted in TI’s 2013 Global Corruption Report: Education. The report explores the many faces of corruption in education, such as fake diplomas, buying of grades, and shadow education, and highlights ways it is being challenged.

The competition provides a platform for young entrepreneurs who aspire to create positive change in their communities. With their innovative ideas and leadership, young people can help tackle some of the key challenges of today and offer sustainable solutions for tomorrow.

Eligibility Criteria

• Participants between the ages of 18 and 35 can apply.
• Participants based in West Africa and from one of the following countries are eligible: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and Togo.
• The proposed projects must have direct impact in at least one of these countries.
• Projects should reflect the themes of the Global Corruption Report: Education, and support activities that empower young people to develop change-maker skills such as entrepreneurship, teamwork, and leadership.

Applications must be in English, French or Portuguese.

Prizes

Awards – a total of three, each worth  $3000 cash

The winners will be sponsored to participate in the International Anti-Corruption Conference to be held in Tunisia in October 2014. The deadline for application is 10 March 2014.

For more information and on how to apply, visit Social Entrepreneurs Initiative Website