What is the project?

I Am a Changemaker is a project grant competition for school and community-based youth organisations on how development issues and concerns on education, the environment, and/ or intercultural diversity* can be addressed through youth leadership and social entrepreneurship.  

There will be three (3) winners nationwide (representing Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao) who will receive up to PhP 100,000 each for the implementation of their projects within a 6-month period.  

*British Council defines diversity in terms of our work in promoting positive social change through building trust, increasing understanding, reforming cultural stereotypes/perception, and countering misinformation and prejudice through intercultural dialogue.

What are the objectives of the competition?  

• To encourage the participation of young people in addressing issues and concerns regarding education, environment, and intercultural diversity as proactive citizens and development partners;
• To strengthen the delivery mechanisms of youth-led development projects by providing a 3-day project management workshop and by periodic mentoring
• To create a sustainable community of young people who can share their experience of implementing community-based projects through entrepreneurship;
• To establish a functional network of youth organisations who will complement the work British Council Philippines on its development initiatives

How will the competition work?

1. Five (5) entries each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will be selected through  preliminary judging
2. The selected entries will be uploaded on the British Council website for on-line voting
3. The top three (3) project proponents from each geographical group will be selected based on points gained from the on-line voting and scores from the preliminary judging
4. The selected entries will advance to the panel presentation
5. One (1) winner each from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao will be selected and will receive up to PhP 100,000 for the implementation of their projects within a 6-month period.  

Competition Mechanics

Who can join?

• The project grant competition is open to all school and community-based youth organisations based and operating in the Philippines. They shall be composed of young people, 15-30 years of age, and organised with a common purpose to empower the youth.
• The group must have an active membership of at least twenty (20) individuals.
• LGUs or private sector-funded organisations will not be allowed to join to give an opportunity for groups which do not have the financial resources to implement development projects.
• No youth organisation who represents another NGO based in another country can become a main proponent for the competition, although they can serve as a strategic partner of those organisations who are qualified to join.  
• Individuals, private corporations, LGUs and non-eligible groups can only participate in the project as partners of the main project proponent.  The nature of their capacity to assist may vary from technical to financial counterpart.  
• If an organisation is not SEC registered, a written certification from the school, the community, or an established NGO must be submitted together with the project proposal.

What should the proposal be about?

• Project proposals should address issues and concerns on education, environment, and/ or intercultural diversity
• It espouses youth leadership and social entrepreneurship
• It is a consultative and participatory process to ensure ownership and enhanced sustainability to promote community-based entrepreneurial activities

What do we have to submit?

The following are the official documents to be submitted in hard and soft copies:

- Application Form

- Project Proposal - maximum of four (4) pages, Arial font, size 10, single space

- Organisation Profile

* At least two signed endorsements from any of the following: the organisation’s adviser, local school authorities, LGU or community officials, or recognised civil society organisations (CSOs) / non-government organisations (NGOs)

When is the application period?
Application period is from 25 June - 31 October 2008.

How many project proposals can we submit?
Each organisation can submit only one proposal

Other competition guidelines

• Project proposals should have not been previously submitted to any other organisation or project grant competitions  
• Winning projects shall follow the terms of reference to be drafted by British Council Philippines