GOODWALL LAUNCHES BETTERTOGETHER PROGRAM IN RESPONSE TO COVID-19
YOUTH JOBS CRISIS
Initiative to restore confidence and drive students & young professionals skills development, in partnership with leading UN organisations
Geneva, 27 July 2020: Gen Z social enterprise app Goodwall has launched BetterTogether, an inclusive, global online program to help the next generation navigate the pandemic-stricken job market and positively impact society through the development of professional skills, experience and networking, in support of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
It is estimated that as a result of COVID-19, 42% of youths are at risk of losing their job* and 35% of internships** have been cancelled in 2020, meaning that young people are finding themselves with limited opportunities and facing the prospect of long-lasting damage to their future career. Devised as a direct reaction to the economic crisis, the BetterTogether program sees the company stepping up in recognition of its responsibility to prepare young talent for the future of work and best utilise this time.
Running from 1 August – 18 September, the scheme is set to reach over 10 million+ people via Goodwall’s partner networks, spanning 150+ countries. Hosted on the app will be a series of inspiring challenges, top speakers and community content, alongside the chance to win awards, scholarships and discover professional opportunities with big name organisations.
By teaming up with a host of international, multi-sector partners, from leading universities to global charities and U.N organisations, BetterTogether meets the urgent need for expanded education, training and employment opportunities for young people and opens up a world of entrepreneurial thinking during this turbulent time.
The program is formed via a series of ten, five minute long challenges in total, which will run twice weekly. These are uniquely designed to tap into Gen Z’s motivation to better themselves, whilst also bettering the world and raising awareness for global issues. The first five challenges are focused on personal development including goal setting, recognising achievements, building up resilience and female empowerment. The second set of tasks are centered around sustainability, equality & justice, in solidarity with the #BlackLivesMatter movement and pitching entrepreneurial projects.
In line with these themes a diverse set of speakers, ranging from CEOs to professors, will offer advice and insight to the community at every stage. These include:
- Fred Henderson: Co-founder of Ecosia, the much talked about search engine which plants trees while you scan the web.
- Shrey Patel: Actress, award-winning filmmaker, runway model and mental-health activist who has navigated Bollywood and featured in Vogue.
- Professor Francois Grey: Director of the Geneva Tsinghua Initiative, the first comprehensive education program that addresses the SDGs in a practical hands-on way.
To support program participants further and provide a gateway to new opportunities both educational and professional, Goodwall are also offering prizes to the winner of each challenge. These range from monetary rewards, to a donation to an accredited non-profit of their choosing, as well as coveted academic scholarships, learning programmes and incubator initiatives. Three winners of BetterTogether’s final challenge ‘Pitch your project’ will also be eligible for funding to help make their dream venture a reality.
Taha Bawa, CEO and Co-Founder of Goodwall said “COVID-19 has shaken the world and has had a particularly profound impact on young talent who are just entering the workforce. The power of community in the face of adversity is more important than ever right now, which is why we developed the BetterTogether program to encourage young people to engage in reaching their full potential by using our tools to not only become better versions of themselves, but also helping to make the world a bit better too.”
Get involved and register for BetterTogether now by downloading the Goodwall app (iOS and Android), or visiting goodwall.io.
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About Goodwall
Founded in 2014, Goodwall is a global community that levels the playing field for young people so anyone can connect and discover professional opportunities from scholarships to jobs. With over 1.5M members in more than 150 countries, the mobile-first platform features over 5M jobs & opportunities, more than $1.5M in scholarships & awards and thousands of volunteer events.
