6th July, 2023:A one-of-a-kind Mercedes Benz fellowship for environment action, beVisioneers, commences this July. The first 100 young innovators who have been chosen from more than 1000 registrants, are all set for their 12-month learning journey with the aim of bringing their planet- positive ideas to life.
A 19-year-old from Delhi, Muskan is keen to counter two problems with a twin solution. Muskan is working on a B2B business model of countering food waste and plastic pollution, through biodegradable film that is made from banana biomass waste. Muskan hopes to develop her ideas further, by collaborating with other innovators and entrepreneurs. She feels that this fellowship will allow her to bridge the gap between her theoretical knowledge and practical application. She is one of the 100 fellows who have been selected for the inaugural cohort of the Mercedes Benz fellowship- beVisioneers.
The DO School of Fellowships, reckoned as the education pioneers, has designed and implemented this program for young innovators from across the world. These young innovators are provided with the requisite training, mentoring, resources and expert support to bring their planet positive ideas to life.
The plan of beVisioneers is to support 1000 fellows per year from all over the world by the year 2025. Through this program meaningful and measurable impact in communities across the globe will be created.
The commonality that exists here apart from the age group 16-28 years, is a clear motivation, strong personal vision and a project that is viable and will benefit the plant and its people. Akhilesh a 22-year-old, feels this program is an International Alliance for Climate Refugees. Risav Ganguly, is a 17-year-old from Jamshedpur, India, who is all set with ideas to convert the biochemical energy of waste water into electricity. Micro wind turbines, sustainable building materials from upcycled sawdust, affordable compost to combat food insecurity and drain systems for flood mitigation are the subjects of other projects.
Mariah Levin, Executive Director of beVisioneers, says that they are thrilled with the leadership potential of the first 102 fellows and their project ideas. Young people want to be active in mitigating the consequences of climate change.
Founder and Managing Director of The DO School Fellowships Katherin Kirschenmann says that many invaluable contributions are ready to be made, but they have yet to find the path that will lead them from idea to action. It is here that beVisioneers steps in and changes that. Their program supports knowledge, network and venture building through innovative approaches and facilitates the transformation of ideas into tangible solutions for their fellows.
The fellows for the program are selected by beVisioneers with a strong focus on financial inclusion and irrespective of their backgrounds. The program is funded by donations from Mercedes Benz and includes free weekly online lessons, guidance from world class experts, and one -on -one mentoring for its fellows.
Financial stipends for the needy, and merit based access to project funding is also provided by beVisoneers. Even after the 12-month program and the launch of their projects the fellows receive ongoing training and support to help scale their projects and impact their respective regions positively as ambassadors for environmental change. The 100 out of the 1000 young people who registered come approximately from one- third of South Africa, one -third from Germany, One –third from India and one-third from Hungary, Poland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden, UK and Spain.
The online meeting of the fellows which had already begun will culminate in a personal first time meeting in July during one of the regional summits in Johannesburg -South Africa, Pune- India or Stuttgart Germany.
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