Dear students,
This spring, Echoing Green<http://www.echoinggreen.org/> and Barclays are partnering to challenge next-generation innovators to develop and submit their ideas to the Future of Work Social Innovation Challenge. Top undergraduate and/or graduate student teams from colleges and universities across NYC will be selected to participate in a one-day business plan boot camp and pitch competition on May 9, 2018.

How to Apply
Interested students currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program at a New York City based college or university will submit a short application that outlines their idea for tackling one or more of the following future of work challenges in NYC:

*         Barriers to education and access (e.g., high school and college completion initiatives; training programs for upskilling and reskilling; enhancing digital literacy; micro-credentialing, certification or bridge programs)

*         Unemployment and underemployment with a focus on historically-marginalized populations, including formerly incarcerated people; people with disabilities, youth, aging and immigrants (e.g., job creation or fair employment programs)

*         Lack of opportunity or protections for an increasingly independent workforce (e.g., platforms for underemployed digital workers; portable benefits programs for independent workers)
To access the application, visit echoinggreen.org/barclays#challenge<http://www.echoinggreen.org/barclays#challenge>

The Prize
Up to ten (10) Finalists/Finalist teams will be selected to attend a one-day social impact business plan boot camp and pitch competition. Each Finalist team will also receive a ticket to attend Smart Cities New York<https://www.smartcitiesny.com/>.

The winning challenge team will receive a prize consisting of:

*         Second-round advancement in the 2019 Echoing Green Fellowship application process (must also meet criteria and apply for the Echoing Green Fellowship<http://www.echoinggreen.org/fellowship/apply> in fall 2018)

*         Five (5) consulting hours from Echoing Green over the summer to help you launch your venture

*         Feedback on your business plan from Barclays executives

*         Marketing and branding support from Emergence Creative<http://www.emergence-creative.com/>

*         Opportunity to pitch to a live and virtual audience at an Echoing Green event

Timeline
Feb-March 2018               Workshop and refine your idea
March 27, 2018                  Challenge applications are due
March-April 2018              Echoing Green and Barclays evaluates Challenge applications
April 2018                            Finalists notified; prepare for business plan boot camp and pitch competition
May 9, 2018                        Business Plan Boot Camp & Pitch Competition, hosted by Barclays (as part of Smart Cities NY<https://www.smartcitiesny.com/>)

Useful Links:
More information about the challenge<http://www.echoinggreen.org/downloads/2018-Barclays-Echoing-Green-Social-Innovation-Challenge_OVERVIEW.pdf>
Application tips, short-answer questions and guidance and evaluation criteria<http://www.echoinggreen.org/downloads/2018-Echoing-Green-Barclays-Challenge-Application-Guide.pdf>
The application<http://echoinggreen.org/barclays#challenge>

Feel free to reach out to [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]> with any questions.