The Changemaking Program is a new initiative at CEU which invites entrepreneurs or entrepreneurially minded people to work on a project addressing challenges facing Roma communities. Through the program, participants will benefit from tailor-made support delivered by CEU's Romani Studies Program and CEU Innovations Lab.
The application deadline is 7 February 2021.
There are two calls to choose from:
- a call for teams for those who would like to establish a new startup venture,
- a call for individuals for those who would like to join a startup project team.
Read on for the details of the call and eligibility criteria.
Call for teams
The team call of the Changemaking program invites entrepreneurially minded CEU students and alumni to establish a new start-up venture working to address challenges facing Roma communities.
The Challenge
Teams will devise their own Changemaking social entrepreneurship initiative, balancing broad social impact, commercial viability and Romani social mobility by pursuing a single concept from ideation through to delivery, with the potential to scale beyond the lifespan of the program. Priority themes for projects include increasing access to work experience, professional networks and cultural capital, combatting social stigmas, and harnessing existing but underutilized skills within the Romani community. Teams will have their own vision for a new project or may also be working on a recently established initiative. Through the program, all teams will benefit from a tailored upskilling and professional development plan, including:
· Business planning training
· High quality teaching and resources
· Coaching & mentorship
· Global networking opportunities
· Bespoke guidance on how to turn ideas into actions
The six-month program will be delivered online by CEU’s Romani Studies Program and the Innovation Lab (the iLab), with the possibility of blended learning dependent on COVID-19 restrictions. CEU’s iLab was established to create economic opportunity in Central and Eastern European by nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and linking academia with industry, and was recently voted Hungary's best incubator at the Central European Start-up Awards.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
The Changemaking Program welcomes applications from teams of between two and five people. At least one team member must be a current CEU student or alumnus. Teams will develop and implement a new business venture which has a significant social impact on the Romani community, with a focus on increasing employability. Team members will be expected to work on their project for at least 8 hours per week. CEU Romani Studies Program and iLab will oversee pre-selection. Teams should consider the following criteria in their application:
Relevance: How relevant is your solution to the chosen social issue?
Innovation: What is the core insight or innovation that differentiates your solution?
Impact: How will your solution improve lives? Is the solution rooted in research?
Scalability: If successful, can your solution be replicated nationally, regionally, or globally?
Feasibility: Do you have a plan to implement your solution, and is it financially viable?
Please submit your application no later than 7 February, 2021 to res@ceu.edu and attach the following as a single PDF file:
· Concept Summary (max. 2 pages)
· Group Resume (max. 2 pages)
· Motivation Letter (max. 500 words)
Call for individuals
The call for individuals of the Changemaking Program at Central European University (CEU) invites entrepreneurially minded individuals to join a start-up project team working to increase job creation amongst Roma communities in Hungary.
The Challenge
Changemaking participants will develop and apply their entrepreneurial skills to an innovative Roma job creation initiative established by “Igazgyöngy Alapítvány” (Real Pearl Foundation). The Foundation’s job creation program works with the parents of children from disadvantaged backgrounds to create employment opportunities, balancing commercial viability with Romani social mobility. Changemaking participants will coordinate with a project team to increase access to high quality employment and harness existing but underutilized skills within the Romani community. Through the program, participants will benefit from a tailored upskilling and professional development plan, including:
· Business planning training
· High quality teaching and resources
· Coaching & mentorship
· Global networking opportunities
· Bespoke guidance on how to turn ideas into actions
The six-month program will be delivered online by CEU’s Romani Studies Program and the CEU Innovation Lab (the iLab), with the possibility of blended learning dependent on COVID-19 restrictions. CEU’s iLab was established to create economic opportunity in Central and Eastern European by nurturing a culture of entrepreneurship and linking academia with industry, and was recently voted Hungary's best incubator at the Central European Start-up Awards.
Eligibility Criteria and Application Process
Applications are open to individuals who are interested in joining an existing project team established by the iLab and Romani Studies Program at CEU. Successful applicants will work collaboratively to develop the Real Pearl Foundation’s job creation program and, through social entrepreneurship, will have a significant impact on Roma employability in Hungary. Participants will be expected to work on their project for at least 8 hours per week. CEU’s Romani Studies Program and iLab will oversee pre-selection.
Please submit your application no later than 7 February, 2021 to res@ceu.edu and attach the following as a single PDF file:
· CV of no more than two pages
500-word motivation letter which outlines how your skills, experiences and competencies would contribute to a social entrepreneurship project to further Romani access to employment.