Applications Deadline: March 7th, 2024
Program: April – September, 2024
“All human beings in the world are entrepreneurs. That’s in our DNA, that’s in our blood”
– Prof. Muhammad Yunus
“All human beings in the world are entrepreneurs. That’s in our DNA, that’s in our blood”
– Prof. Muhammad Yunus
Join a community of young people who are changing the world through the power of social entrepreneurship
We believe in the power of social businesses to create inclusive economies. Yunus & Youth provides early-stage social business leaders with the tools and training they need to succeed.
The Yunus & Youth Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs is a customized 6-month online program that empowers young people to build, develop and expand innovative and economically viable social businesses that contribute to the achievement of the 17 UN SDGs.
Business can be
a tool for inclusive and sustainable economies!
Free online training for young social entrepreneurs
Highly customized learning experience supported by live lessons
Mentors in positions of leadership in Fortune 500 companies
A global community of social business leaders
Global networks and international exposure
Final pitch competition in front of experts on Social Entrepreneurship.
Apply to join the Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs and become a Yunus & Youth Fellow
Understand and measure the social or enviroment change you wish to create
Build a realistic and sustainable business strategy (finance, sales and marketing)
Learn how to tell stories to engage customers and investors
Benefit from 1:1 moments with mentors and expert mentors
Become part of a global community of like-minded people
The Y&Y Fellowship Training Modules
Introduction to the Y&Y Community
Entrepreneurial skills
Storytelling
Market strategy
Delivering your solution
Measuring impact
Completing the business model
Pitching and networking
Funding your social business
Building the organization
Brand and communications
Managing growth
We’re looking for the next cohort of social impact Fellows working on building more inclusive economies and sustainable in a range of issues:
Are you working on a solution to help communities adapt to climate change and its effects?
Does your solution improve healthcare access or help people live healthier lives?
Are you empowering others with the knowledge and skills they need to access equal opportunities to learn and get jobs?
Are you creating change in any other sector? The Fellowship is for you if making a positive impact in your community is your thing!
Are you creating change in any other sector? The Fellowship is for you if making a positive impact in your community is your thing!
What participants say about the
Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs:
Morgan – the USA
Yunus & Youth helped us create a more accurate impact measurement tool for what we were already measuring and opened possibilities for other areas of impact that we had not yet recorded.
Sashka – Armenia
I am very excited to be joining a community of like-minded entrepreneurs making new strides in their own community. Sometimes it can feel a bit isolating to work on a concept like this in a place where there is no understanding of social entrepreneurship but I'm grateful for becoming a Y&Y Fellow to deepen my background knowledge and leadership skills.
Carolina – Mexico
Mentioning that I am a member of the Y&Y Community has opened doors for me that were previously closed or that were being closed to us. It is a very human program. Something that I really appreciate very much. Because in various places where I have been, most of the people come to show off, to talk about countless recognitions and they forget why they started what they do. And it is just at that point when what Professor Yunus quotes are understood.
Buchi – Nigeria
It was and will remain the best decision I made before turning 30 as a young female social entrepreneur in Africa. Yunus & Youth helped me grow, evaluate and strategize to scale.
Kasha – Canada
This kind of support was so valuable and meant I was able to get the most out of this experience in terms of what I was able to learn, and how my business could grow.
Avina Ajit – India
The support a Y&Y Fellow receives while going through the hardest stages of building their business is immense. From being given the chance to articulate our thoughts in the well-designed modules on the Y&Y online platform, to the regular meetings with the Y&Y Team.
Frequently
Asked Questions
About Social Business
What is a Social Business?
A Social Business is a cause-driven business. In a social business, the investors/owners can gradually recoup the money invested, but cannot take any dividend beyond that point. The purpose of the investment is purely to achieve one or more social objectives through the operation of the company. The company should aim to cover all costs and make a profit, to maximize a social objective, such as, expanding healthcare access, housing, or financial services, providing safe drinking water, introducing renewable energy, etc.
The impact of the business on people or environment, rather the amount of profit made in a given period measures the success of social business. Sustainability of the company indicates that it is running as a business. The objective of the company is to achieve social goal/s.
Can I apply if I have/lead a traditional business or a non-profit organization?
For Yunus & Youth, it is essential that you are committed to solving a social or environmental issue, and are dedicated to developing a financial model that does not depend on grants or donations. If that is your case, your application is welcome.
About the Eligibility Criteria
Am I qualified?
We welcome applicants between 18 and 30 years of age, who identify as women or non-binary, and who hold primary decision-making power in organizations created to solve a social or sustainable challenge in their community. We seek applicants committed to building a business strategy that makes their organization scalable, financially sustainable, and able to quantify their impact.
Can I apply if I have a social business idea, but my business isn’t operational yet?
The Y&Y Fellowship supports organizations that are already operational. The program methodology includes hands-on activities. These activities presuppose that you already have tested your assumptions about the solution you created and the problem you wish to solve. However, you are welcome to join our Selection Process and use this time to test and prototype your social business idea.
Can I apply if my organization is registered as a non-profit or traditional for-profit business?
Yes. We understand that only a few countries allow organizations to register as social enterprises, so many social entrepreneurs opt to register their initiatives as non-profits or traditional businesses. For Yunus & Youth, it is essential that you are committed to solving a social or environmental issue, and that you dedicate yourself to developing a financial model that does not depend on grants or donations.
Can co-founders or other team members take part in the program as well?
Yes. Co-founders or other team members are welcome to join all activities conducted during the program. However, it’s important to highlight that one person must be accountable for participating in all mandatory activities.
How many Y&Y Fellows do you select each year?
We will invite up to 15 young social entrepreneurs to join this year’s cohort of the Y&Y Fellowship.
About the Selection Process
How will I be evaluated during the selection process?
We evaluate all applicants using the following five criteria: business model & social impact, time availability, communication skills, fit with Yunus & Youth, and diversity.
Do I receive any feedback if I am not accepted into the program?
Unfortunately, no. We regret that due to the very large number of applications, we can’t provide individual feedback.
How does the selection process work? Which dates are the most important?
Please see Fellowship overview for a detailed description of the Y&Y Selection Process Roadmap.
About the Global Fellowship for Social Entrepreneurs
Do I have to pay any fees for the program?
No. There are no financial costs associated with this program
Does the program include in-person activities?
No. It is 100% online.
What language do you use in the Fellowship?
The Y&Y Global Fellowship is completely in English.
Who will be my mentors?
The mentors are experienced business professionals from Fortune 500 companies who volunteer to help social entrepreneurs reach their full potential.
When does the program start?
The program happens once a year. The next cohort starts in April, 2024.
Does the program provide financial support or investment?
No, our program focuses on offering training, tools and connections. We don’t provide direct financial support or investment.
How much time should I dedicate to the program each week?
Though it varies throughout the program, the Y&Y Fellowship requires, on average, 5 hours per week. This can vary according to your own pace, the status of your social business, and the activity for that week. The time you invest will bring direct benefits to your social business. All the activities are designed to help your business become financially sustainable and scalable, and to measure your impact.
What happens if I cannot follow through with my responsibilities?
We know that Y&Y Fellows contend with different circumstances, time zones and personal challenges, so we aim to keep communication open, trustworthy, flexible. Our approach is to reach agreement and be adaptable. However, if a Y&Y Fellow does not comply with what has been asked for, does not meet deadlines, and does not communicate proactively to find alternatives, we will remove them from the program and the Y&Y network. We won’t share the information with other partners or save records to deny future opportunities, unless the social entrepreneur was removed for ethical or disciplinary reasons.
Implementation:
Our Global Fellowship is for everyone!
Yunus & Youth values diversity as a core part of all its activities and social impact strategy. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, gender, gender expression/identity, sexual orientation, national origin, migration status, mental and/or physical abilities, or marital status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include but are not limited to the selection of participants in our Fellowship, online and offline events, recruitment of volunteers and team members, and provision of service. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our global network, including team members, Y&Y Fellows, volunteers, partners, subcontractors, and vendors.
You can review the complete Yunus & Youth Diversity Manifesto here.
