Congratulations to our 24 finalists!
Meet the finalists here.
Our panel of judges is now selecting winners. We will be announcing the winners of the Together Towards Tomorrow Challenge on the 21st of November 2024.
We are now in the refinement stage of the challenge and are excited to announce the finalists on the 3rd of October. If you have any questions in the meantime, please email us at [email protected], or message us on Instagram @ashokachangemakers.
We're looking for your ideas!
Students know it's time for change. So, we want to know—how would you solve the challenge you see every day as a young person? Identify a problem you care about, come up with your idea, and step into your power. The Challenge is open to ideas at all stages, whether you have already started a project or just come up with an idea and want to take your first step. You have the answers! To apply, select the application button above that corresponds to your current grade in school.
Educators, join your students on this journey. Bring the Time for Change Youth Challenge into your classroom and support young people as they generate new ideas that can make a big impact in their worlds.
The Time for Change Youth Challenge is a collaboration of First Book and Ashoka designed to spark transformative changemaking journeys in young people as part of our Time for Change initiative. Our work is made possible by Audemars Piguet. Challenge participants must be students enrolled at a Title I-eligible, Tribal, or Military Base school.
Are YOU a young person in a Title-I eligible, Tribal, or Military Base school with an idea for positive change? Apply today for the chance to win a cash prize! The final deadline on January 18th is coming up and we're so excited to see your ideas! Remember, all you need to apply is an idea for positive change - don't worry if you haven't taken action yet. We've got lots of prizes to give away to help you start putting your idea into action! Want to check out some other applications for inspiration?
We are thrilled to share the following, exciting projects from young Changemakers with a vision! Check out the Time for Change Time for Change Youth Challenge Early Entry Winners below!
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Leia's Library (1st Grade)
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What if Everybody Did That (4th Grade)
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Next Gen Reading Garden (5th Grade)
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Green Clean (6th Grade)
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Learning Quest - Accessible Learning for All (10th Grade)
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Happi Readers, Inc. (11th Grade)
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BookBinders Initiative (11th Grade)
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Snack Station for Sharp Students (11th Grade)
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Refillable Water Bottle Stations for Alexander Hamilton Senior High School (12th Grade)
Remember that the final deadline for entry is January 18th at 11:59 PM ET!
Timeline
- September 19th
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Challenge Opens
- October 17th
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Early Entry Deadline (11:59 PM ET / 8:59 PM PT)
- November 16th
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Early Entry Winners Announcement
- January 18th
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Final Deadline (11:59 PM ET / 8:59 PM PT)
- March
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Winners Announcement
Prize Package
Early Entry Prizes!
10 students who apply by the Early Entry Deadline of Tuesday, October 17th will win a $100 gift card. Students who apply by the Early Entry deadline are still eligible for the grants awarded after the Final Deadline of Thursday, January 18th.
Grand Prizes
The Time for Change Youth Challenge will award prizes in the following categories; Kindergarten through 5th grade, 6th through 7th grade, 8th through 12th grade. The prizes are listed below, and one prize from each prize tier are guaranteed to be awarded within each of these grade categories.
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$50 grants - 150 students will receive a $50 gift card to work on their projects.
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$100 grants – 50 students will receive a $100 gift card to support their ideas for change.
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$1,000 grants - 15 students will be awarded $1,000 grants to spark their changemaking journey.
Early Entry Prizes!
10 students who apply by the Early Entry Deadline of Tuesday, October 17th will win a $100 gift card. Students who apply by the Early Entry deadline are still eligible for the grants awarded after the Final Deadline of Thursday, January 18th.
Grand Prizes
The Time for Change Youth Challenge will award prizes in the following categories; Kindergarten through 5th grade, 6th through 7th grade, 8th through 12th grade. The prizes are listed below, and one prize from each prize tier are guaranteed to be awarded within each of these grade categories.
-
$50 grants - 150 students will receive a $50 gift card to work on their projects.
-
$100 grants – 50 students will receive a $100 gift card to support their ideas for change.
-
$1,000 grants - 15 students will be awarded $1,000 grants to spark their changemaking journey.
Eligibility
Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria
- Participant Grade Level
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Individuals and teams of youth grade K-12 are eligible to apply.
- Residency
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Currently residing in the United States or one of its territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Youth Leadership
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The applicant must submit a youth-led idea.
Each applicant can only apply with one initiative.
Applicants in Grades K-7 must apply through the account of an educator or other adult ally. An account can be used for multiple applications. Each student can only be listed on one application but can be a part of multiple teams.
Applicants in Grades 8-12 are welcome to create their own account and submit their initiative directly.
- Language
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- Affiliation
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Applicants must be an enrolled student at a Title I eligible, Tribal, or Military Base school.
Employees (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka, First Book, and Audemars Piguet or any of their respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies are NOT eligible to apply to the Challenge.
Participants must meet the following eligibility criteria
- Participant Grade Level
-
Individuals and teams of youth grade K-12 are eligible to apply.
- Residency
-
Currently residing in the United States or one of its territories (American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands)
- Youth Leadership
-
The applicant must submit a youth-led idea.
Each applicant can only apply with one initiative.
Applicants in Grades K-7 must apply through the account of an educator or other adult ally. An account can be used for multiple applications. Each student can only be listed on one application but can be a part of multiple teams.
Applicants in Grades 8-12 are welcome to create their own account and submit their initiative directly.
- Language
- Affiliation
-
Applicants must be an enrolled student at a Title I eligible, Tribal, or Military Base school.
Employees (and their children and grandchildren) of Ashoka, First Book, and Audemars Piguet or any of their respective affiliates and participating advertising and promotion agencies are NOT eligible to apply to the Challenge.
Evaluation Criteria
Changemaker Identity
You are a Changemaker! You have an idea that you think can make a real difference in other peoples’ lives or for the planet.
Creativity
Whether your idea is new to your school, community, or state you’re using creative thinking to tackle a problem in a different way.
Connection
You have identified a problem in your school or community that you feel connected to, and you’re interested in working with other people to solve it.
Ready to Take
Action
You have a clear understanding of a problem you want to address and you’re ready to take your next step. You have a plan for the first 3 steps you want to take.
Resources & Support
We are here to help. Students and teachers can explore our resource page for guides and activities to support their application or to learn more about changemaking. Additionally, we have a number of sessions to learn more about the Time for Change challenge, get application assistance sessions for more personalized feedback on your submission, or to connect with a community of educators. Join us anytime.
Resources & Support
We are here to help. Students and teachers can explore our resource page for guides and activities to support their application or to learn more about changemaking. Additionally, we have a number of sessions to learn more about the Time for Change challenge, get application assistance sessions for more personalized feedback on your submission, or to connect with a community of educators. Join us anytime.
Have an idea to change your community?
Click “Apply Here” below to log in and start your application.
Have questions? Check out our FAQ here or visit our support page here. Still have questions? You can email us at [email protected] for updates about the Time for Change Youth Challenge and other opportunities.
First Book educators can text CHANGE to 89304 for updates about the Time for Change Youth Challenge and additional changemaking resources. Youth participants (13 and older) can text CHANGEMAKER to (571) 622-1066 for application reminders and support. You can find our Terms and Conditions here.