Following along here in Europe before I head back to HQ, I am quite excited to write about this one. Earlier today, eBay announced the launch of The Opportunity Project – a global social innovation initiative aimed at encouraging and helping provide economic opportunity in vulnerable, impoverished communities. Powered by eBay Foundation, The Opportunity Project is kicking off with a global competition that will see five innovative market-based solutions selected to share in an initial investment of $250,000.
Recipients will be selected through a global competition in collaboration with Ashoka’s Changemakers, one of the world’s most robust spaces for launching, discussing, and funding ideas to solve the world’s most pressing social problems.
The competition, Powering Economic Opportunity: Create a World that Works, will recognize social entrepreneurs who are creating economic opportunity through increased access to restricted job markets, disruptive innovations in job creation or skills building, connections between local entrepreneurs and global markets, or systems to promote awareness of job opportunities.
Entries to the competition will be accepted until 5PM EDT on June 15, 2011. Through Ashoka’s Changemakers website, anyone who registers with the site will be able to comment on applications and vote on the best. Ten finalists will be determined by online voting. An expert panel of judges selected by The Opportunity Project and Ashoka’s Changemakers will then evaluate the ten finalists, and select five winners. Each winner will receive a cash prize of US $50,000. Winners will be announced September 14, 2011.
It should be pointed out that this competition is just the beginning of what I think promises to be a wonderful endeavor. It also builds on the great work of the eBay Foundation to date. Since inception, eBay Foundation has contributed over $21 million to nonprofits around the world. eBay Foundation will continue to support local communities and the charitable interests of our employees through the GIVE Team grant program.
“The Opportunity Project is a natural extension for eBay and eBay Foundation,” said Lauren Moore, President, eBay Foundation. “By supporting and recognizing organizations that are implementing disruptive social innovations, we have the ability to help create economic opportunities and generate employment for people who otherwise face barriers to participating fully in the global economy.”
I’d love to sit down with Lauren when I get back from traveling to learn more about this project. For now, go check out the website – http://www.theopportunityproject.org/. I think it looks rather compelling both in content and design.
Cheers,
RBH
