Review the FAQ below or download here.
1. What do you mean by “Recoupling”?
“Recoupling” refers to the linking or re-linking of economic prosperity with social prosperity and environmental sustainability. It describes an initiative to counter the decoupling of economic activities from the needs of people, societies and the environment.
Recoupling can be viewed as a necessary precondition to overcome the weaknesses of unregulated capitalism, thereby addressing many of the current global challenges. Recoupling-approaches aim at a better alignment of economic and political activities with environmental sustainability and with social prosperity – putting human needs and thriving societies at the center.
To be recognized as a project that fosters recoupling, projects must be guided by a people-centric approach, one that puts the needs and voices of their stakeholders, customers, workers and/or communities at the center. We also want to learn how the project impacts the natural environment. Does the project, for example, promote avenues to carbon neutrality and towards circular modes of production and consumption? The projects do not need to address both domains (the social and the environmental) to the same degree. Well balanced projects may be chosen alongside other projects with a strong focus on only one of the two domains.
2. What does it mean to have a “leading” role?
Participants should have a leading position in the project or initiative with which they are applying. This can be the role of a founder, co-founder, project-lead, initiator or a similar role.
If you are unsure whether your role in the project or initiative is suitable, ask yourself the following questions: Do I directly determine the path and direction the project is to take? Can I authentically speak about the goals of the initiative? Can I report on how the initiative wants to align itself in the future? If the answer to all three questions is “yes,” you should apply!
3. Can I apply for the YGC Recoupling Awards if I am older than 35 years?
The Young Global Changers program specifically aims at empowering the young generation. With the YGC Recoupling Awards we want to recognize and support projects specifically by young people that embody the recoupling approach. That is why we aim primarily to attract applicants between the ages of 18 and 35. However, this is not a strict age limit. Should you be able to give reasons as to why we should include you, even though you have exceeded the age range, we would be happy to consider your application.
4. What are the categories and how do I know which one to pick?
Beginning in 2024, the YGC Recoupling Awards will recognize three distinct categories in an effort to equitably recognize the work of young global changers who pursue different methods in tackling global challenges, but still aim to recouple economic, social and environmental prosperity.
The three categories are (1) Reimagine Business, (2) Reimagine Social and Climate Action (3) Reimagine Civic Engagement. Applicants will need to choose one category to apply in.
Take a careful look at the eligibility criteria for each category and the assessment details and select a category that is the best fit for your project.
5. Are there any examples of the kind of projects that you are looking for?
Reimagine Business
- Making coffee production social and environmentally sustainable: Kua
- Combating food loss and empowering smallholder farmers: Akofresh
- Combating pollution while empowering informal waste collectors: Octopus Indonesia
Reimagine Social & Climate Action
Reimagine Civic Engagement
6. I have already applied for the YGC Recoupling Awards once. Can I apply again?
A. You have already applied previously but were not selected as Young Global Changer. You may reapply for the YGC Recoupling Awards with your social enterprise, organization, initiative or project.
B. You were selected as Young Global Changers 2022 – 2023
If you as a person have already applied for the YGC Recoupling Awards and were selected as a Young Global Changers 2022 – 2023, the situation is different and depends on whether you were selected as a finalist or semi-finalist.
a. … as finalist (Top 10/15)
If you and your social enterprise, organization, initiative or project were among the finalists, you may not reapply for the YGC Recoupling Awards later in time again. Both you as a person and your project are already part of the YGC community and had the opportunity to present yourself and your project at the Global Solutions Summit in Berlin.
b. … as semi-finalist (Top 50)
The possibility to reapply for the current awards depends on whether you want to apply with a different, new project compared to your last application.
It is not possible to apply a second time with the same social enterprise/organization/initiative/project.
However, you may apply again as a person, if you apply with a completely new social
enterprise/organization/initiative.
The emphasis here is on the distinction between a project or program and the social enterprise, organization or initiative carrying out the project or program. In order for a new application to be admissible, it is important not to apply with a new project within the organization you applied with last time. It must be an independent, different project or organization compared to the previous application, carried out by a different social enterprise/organization/initiative.
• An example of a person who applied with two different projects in different years would be Stanley Anigbogu. He applied in 2022 with his initiative “Artechubs Nigeria” and in 2023 with his start-up “LightEd”.
C. Someone from your organization was selected as YGC.
One of your colleagues has already applied for the awards in another year and was selected as a Young Global Changer. You are in the leadership role (e. g. Program Lead) of a project or program in the same social enterprise/organization/initiative, but the project or program that you are leading (content, focus, approach) is clearly different from the project or program of your colleague. If that’s the case, you may apply for the YGC Recoupling Awards.
As we hope has become clear, the distinction between organization and project or program plays an important role. In principle, two projects from the same organization can apply in consecutive years as long as the differences between the projects or programs are clearly highlighted and comprehensible. As already explained in section b., the focus is on the independence and clear differentiation of the project or program compared to the previously selected project. It is also important to recognize that contributing to the decision is that you as an individual person are not yet a member of the YGC community.
• An example of different people from a related organization would be from the “Social Innovation Academy (SINA Global)” founded by Étienne Salborn and the social initiative “Patapia” from Rebecca Aime. The economic empowerment initiative “Patapia” was created as part of Aime’s participation in Social Innovation Academy or in other words was founded as a result of her participation in SINA. The projects is connected to SINA, but as “Patapia” is
completely independent, with a clearly different approach, topics and activities,
both Étienne and Aime were eligible to apply for the awards.
For further understanding, a decision tree graphic can be accessed here.
7. What are the semi-finals?
The phase of the semi-finals will not include any onsite meetings or travel. During the semi-finals the project descriptions of all semi-finalists will be posted on the Global Solutions website for the jury and the public to see. We will also schedule one or two online meetings for all semi-finalists during which they will have the opportunity to network amongst each other and with experts from the Global Solutions Initiative. All semi-finalists will automatically be included into our Young Global Changers class of 2024. Semi-finalists will not receive a scholarship, travel-allowance or any other financial reward for their participation in the semi-finals. They will however be officially recognized as a 2024 Young Global Changer and become part of our global community of changemakers.
8. What are the finals?
The finals will take place in Berlin on May 6 and 7, 2024. From all semi-finalists up to 15 finalists will be chosen to participate in the award finals. The finals will consist of an event at the Global Solutions Summit 2024 during which all finalists will have the opportunity to present their project in front of a jury of experts.
9. Which costs will be reimbursed as part of the scholarship?
The 15 finalists who are invited to attend the Global Solutions Summit on May 6 and 7 will have their travel costs reimbursed by the Global Solutions Initiative as well as be provided complementary accommodation arrangement. Please note that scholarship awardees, even after their application has been successful, must consult the YGC coordinating staff before making any travel-related purchases! Only purchases that the Global Solutions Initiative agreed to cover before the purchase was made can be reimbursed.
The following expenses are eligible for reimbursement
- Travel expenses to and from Berlin (i.e. costs for train, bus or flight tickets [economy class])
- Visa costs and costs incurred in connection therewith
Costs which are excluded from reimbursement are:
- Vaccination costs
- Any travel or health insurances already concluded
10. Which costs will be covered directly by Global Solutions as part of the scholarship?
The scholarship will include accommodation for the time of the Global Solutions Summit (five nights, May 3 – 8, 2024) and free admission to the Global Solutions Summit 2024. The hotel will be arranged and paid for by the GSIF. Expenses for food and local transport will not be included in the scholarship.
11. What costs will be reimbursed if I cannot come to Berlin unexpectedly?
We are aware that, due to unexpected travel restrictions or for other reasons, traveling to Berlin may not be possible for you at the time of the Global Solutions Summit. If the local situation in Berlin and/or in your home country does not allow you to travel to the summit in person, travel costs already incurred will be reimbursed for all scholarship awardees.
The scholarship awardee must provide the reason for the cancellation and proof of costs incurred. Costs that can be reimbursed include costs for transportation tickets, cancelation fees and/or visa costs. We will only refund expenses up to the amount of the total scholarship agreed upon in advance. Additional costs or damages resulting from a cancelation will not be reimbursed.
12. Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Anyone can submit their application and be admitted to the semi-finals. Entries do not require any proof of vaccination during the submission phase. However, we recommend that all scholarship awardees (“finalists”) who want to attend the summit in person to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19.
All finalists must abide by all relevant entry and travel regulations of the EU and Germany. Regulations may change between now and the time of the summit.
13. What can I do if I have not received a confirmation email?
If you did not receive a confirmation email, please check your spam folder and look for an email by the sender “ScanToMail”. If you are still unable to find the confirmation email, please send a private message to [email protected] with your first and last name in the subject. We will try to help you and check whether we received your application.
14. What is the status of my submission?
Due to the number of applications received for the YGC Recoupling awards, we are unable to provide any individual feedback on the status of the applications.
All applicants will receive feedback regarding the semi-finals mid-to-late December. The 15 finalists will receive an invitation to participate in the YGC Recoupling Awards on February 1, 2024. Rejection emails will also be sent out by this date.
If you did not receive any feedback by the end of March 2024, please check your spam folder. If you are still unable to find the email from us, please send a message to [email protected].