Propel #YouthForward. Propel the world forward.
Today’s youth are the largest generation of youth in history.
They are ambitious, persistent, and imaginative in ways the world has never seen. The challenge is that opportunities are increasingly sparse and the skills and experiences they possess no longer guarantee employment. The consequences of this reality touch every corner of society, and how we approach this challenge will define our future.
Collaborating for the future of youth.
As world-renowned catalysts of innovative youth development and global exchange solutions,Canada World Youth (CWY) and Youth Challenge International (YCI) have come together at this critical time to create EQWIP, a platform to transform the economic trajectory of youth around the world. EQWIP HUBs, our first initiative, brings together a global network of collaborators including: UN-Habitat, TakingITGlobal and the Education Development Centre to reimagining how young women and men nurture the tangible skills and resources needed to become valued economic players.
EQWIP HUBs put youth in control of their own future.
EQWIP HUBs are dynamic innovation spaces spanning 18 urban centers across Bolivia, Ghana, Indonesia, Peru, Senegal, and Tanzania. Buzzing with collaborative energy, at each EQWIP HUBs we provide a unique platform for young minds – especially women – to build market-relevant skills, gain access to the mentorship, networks, technology and capital to prepare them for meaningful employment, or to launch a new wave of enterprise. Qualified and passionate young Canadians will work in specialized teams to support each HUB, fuelling cross-cultural innovation, gender-responsive programming and peer-to-peer mentorship.
We believe that EQWIP HUBs is the next big innovation in global youth development, and our goal is to change the lives of 100,000 youth by 2020.
What Sets EQWIP HUBs Apart?
Local Integration
Each EQWIP HUBs centre is housed and operated in partnership with an established and locally respected youth-centred organization, and operated in collaboration with local staff and volunteers.
Market-Driven Incubators
Unique work skills and entrepreneurship incubator programs are designed collaboratively with local business leaders, youth and the EQWIP HUBs team to ensure that they are dynamic, effective, engaging and relevant.
Peer-to-Peer Exchange
Small teams of young, high-calibre Canadian volunteers continually support each HUB, providing specialized peer-to-peer collaboration and mentorship.
Community Culture
Each EQWIP HUBs space is a vibrant and supportive community shaped by unique local needs and cultural customs but unified by the spirited pulse of youth.
Gender Responsive
Unique initiatives work directly with young women, young men and local industry, reducing barriers and making opportunities more accessible and relevant to women.
Tech Labs
EQWIP HUBs provides laptops, tablets, and high-speed internet, fostering digital literacy, virtual community-building and fuelling innovation in local business and entrepreneurship.
OpenHUB Platform
OpenHUB, designed by TakingItGlobal connects all 18 EQWIP HUBs in the cloud, creating a platform that builds cross-HUB communities, facilitates the sharing of insight and sparks collaboration and opportunity.
Youth Innovation Fund
The Youth Innovation Fund provides access to seed capital and mentorship for a new wave of aspiring entrepreneurs at each EQWIP HUBs centre.