Schwab Foundation Fellowships
Applying to the Schwab/Empower Fellowship
All candidates must submit an online fellowship application. Both an Empower committee and later on a Schwab committee will examine the applications and finalists will be contacted for an interview. Empower does not have a set number of Fellowships. They will be awarded on a case-by-case basis. The Selection Committee will review all applications received to determine the strongest candidates to receive the Fellowships.
Empower has partnered with the Schwab Foundation to place Tufts students with their network social entrepreneurs in their countries of operation for 2-3-month internships/apprenticeships. During the students' time with the organizations, they will learn how a particular social entrepreneur runs his/her operation, get to know the target issue and community, and have the opportunity to design their own project while also working at the organization in their daily tasks. Essentially, students will get as much out of the opportunity as they invest in the opportunity. For those who are interested in these fields and in social entrepreneurship in general, the field placements are a good way to get first-hand experience in how these grassroots organizations operate.
Requirements:
- Students must be currently enrolled in a Tufts Undergraduate or Graduate program
- Proficiency in the language of the area in which the Social Enterprise is located (if applicable)
- Must have at least two months to dedicate to the internship
- Interest in the social enterprise and activities
- Basic knowledge of and interest in the area in which the Social Enterprise is located
- A clear idea on how to contribute
Step 1:
Look at the list of social enterprises provided to Empower by the Schwab Foundation, and think about which organization fits your interests. Please note some IMPORTANT questions to consider when researching the organization:
- Why are you interested in the area of activity of this social enterprise?
- What can you gain from the experience? What would be your desired outcomes? (Basically, why would a summer with one of these social entrepreneurs be a valuable personal/professional/academic development experience for you?
- What can you contribute to the organization during your 3 months there? Tangible outcomes could be a resource guide for the organization, etc. But know that you might be doing other work for the social entrepreneur in addition to this
- What specific skills do you have that fits the needs of the organization? Language proficiency, computer skills, web design. etc (it is not required, but some regions require language competency, such as Latin America and parts of Asia)
- Who could you work with? Are you part of a club or class where you have colleagues that would also be interested in your area of interest and organizations? Start finding these people now, so that as a team, you all can develop the application together.
Step 2:
Once an applicant selects a social entrepreneur, they will be expected to:
- Do their research. Applicants are expected to know the objectives, history, and activities of the Social Enterprise, as well as of the area in with the Enterprise is located.
- Have a clear idea as to how the applicant would like to contribute
- Submit the online application. Allow one month for Schwab to approve your application
- By the week of April 11, the social entrepreneurs will respond if they would like to be in touch with the student directly to explore the feasibility of an internship. This does not mean the internship is 'confirmed' - only that the student is qualified, and that s/he can begin the logistical discussion directly with the SE. Although we hope that an internship materializes shortly thereafter, please note that social enterprises are less structured than large companies and have less resources, thus, creating an internship position is a lengthier back and forth discussion between the two interested parties.
- Once selected, it is crucial that applicants follow through with their commitment to intern and promptly respond to communication
Cover Letter Guidelines
The Cover Letter is the most important part of your application because it is the document that allows you to demonstrate your understanding of the Social Enterprise and your interest the issues it is trying to tackle. It is also how you will articulate what you want to do with the Social Enterprise, in addition to why and how you are going to do it.
Below are some tips to consider when writing your cover letter
- Address the cover Letter directly to the Social Entrepreneur. If you are selected, your cover letter will be read by the Social Entrepreneur who will make the final decision.
- Articulate how you plan to contribute
- Discuss your availability (the amount of time you will be able to dedicate to the internship)
- Discuss any particular skills that may be helpful/useful to the Social Enterprise
- Be up front about what you do and don’t know
- Discuss what you hope to learn and experience from the internship
Expectations Upon Return
Whether you determine that you will need Empower funding or not, all Schwab interns are considered Empower Fellows. In addition to providing feedback about your experience to Schwab, you will also be expected to fulfill the Empower Fellow Expectations and Responsibilities (see Empower website).
Note to applicants
It is not guaranteed that the Social Entrepreneur will respond to or accept the intern. However, once you are selected by the Schwab Foundation and Empower to serve as a intern, we will do everything possible to make sure you are connected with an organization of interest. For this reason, we recommend you keep 1-2 backup organizations in mind when applying.
Please specify if your team is or is not seeking Empower funding. If you are seeking Empower funding, please note any additional sources of funding that you plan to pursue.
To learn about the Schwab Foundation Social Entrepreneurs visit: www.schwabfound.org
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Geographical Region |
Organization |
Country |
Focus |
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Africa |
Association pour le Soutien et l'Appui à la Femme Entrepreneur (ASAFE) |
Cameroon |
enterprise development, technology, women |
|
Service d'Appui aux Initiatives Locales de Développement (SAILD) |
Cameroon |
agriculture, civic participation, communication/media, consumer awareness, education, enterprise development |
|
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KickStart Kenya |
Kenya |
agriculture, enterprise development, technology, service innovations |
|
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Al Jisr |
Morocco |
education |
|
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DMT Mobile Toilets Nigeria Ltd |
Nigeria |
enterprise development, environment, health |
|
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Lapo |
Nigeria |
microfinance |
|
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Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre (MAARDEC) |
Nigeria |
advocacy, education, health, technology |
|
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Heartlines |
South Africa |
HIV/AIDS, civic participation, communications.media, education, enterprise development, health |
|
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International Center for Eye Care Education (ICEE) |
South Africa |
health, eyecare |
|
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mothers2mothers |
South Africa |
Health, AIDS/HIV, children and youth, maternal and infant health |
|
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Shonaquip |
South Africa |
disabilities, health, children and youth |
|
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Streetwire Artist's Collective |
South Africa |
enterprise development, fair trade |
|
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The Kuyasa Fund |
South Africa |
homelessness, housing, microcredit and microfinance |
|
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Sero Lease and Finance (Selfina) |
Tanzania |
micro-leasing, entrepreneurship, HIV/AIDS |
|
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Enda Inter-Arabe |
Tunisia |
microfinance, enterprise development, financial inclusion, women's empowerment, rural development |
|
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Southeast and Central Asia |
Friends-International |
Cambodia |
youth, education, health, homelessness and housing, enterprise development |
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Hagar International |
Cambodia |
enterprise development, youth, women |
|
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Beijing Cultural Development Center for Rural Women |
China |
women, education, civic participation |
|
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Senior Citizen Home Safety Association |
Hong Kong SAR |
disabilities, health, technology |
|
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Duck Revolution |
Japan |
agriculture, environment, rural development |
|
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Sunlabob Renewable Energy Ltd |
Laos |
energy, enterprise development, rural development, environment, technology, water |
|
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Gawad Kalinga (GK) |
Philippines |
health, housing, environment, enterprise development |
|
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Unlad Kabayan Migrant Services Foundation |
Philippines |
education, enterprise development, financial inclusion, labor conditions and unemployment, migration, rural development |
|
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City College & O School |
Singapore |
education, youth |
|
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aidha |
Singapore |
education, enterprise development, migration, women |
|
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World Toilet Organization Ltd |
Singapore |
health, sanitation |
|
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Doi Tung Development Project |
Thailand |
education, enterprise development, environment, health, rural development |
|
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South Asia |
Afghan Institute of Learning |
Afghanistan |
education, health, women |
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Centre for Mass Education in Science (CMES) |
Bangladesh |
youth, education |
|
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Phulki |
Bangladesh |
labor conditions and unemployment, women |
|
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Waste Concern |
Bangladesh |
environment, waste management, renewable energy, climate change |
|
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Aajeevika Bureau |
India |
migration, labor, employment |
|
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Aravind Eye Care System (AECS) |
India |
health |
|
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Barefoot College |
India |
education, renewable energy, rural development, technology, women |
|
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Comprehensive Rural Health Project (CRHP) |
India |
health, rural development, women |
|
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Development Alternatives |
India |
climate change, energy, environment, environment, literacy, rural development, technology, water, youth |
|
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Gram Vikas |
India |
education, health, rural development, water and sanitation |
|
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IDEI - International Development Enterprises (India) |
India |
agriculture, rural development, water |
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Nidan |
India |
labour and employment, enterprise development, waste management |
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PlanetRead |
India |
communication/media, education |
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Rishi Valley Institute for Educational Resources (RIVER) |
India |
education, youth |
|
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Saath Charitable Trust |
India |
education, health, financial inclusion, labor and unemployment |
|
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SELCO Solar Light (P) Limited |
India |
energy, environment, rural development |
|
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Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) |
India |
enterprise development, financial inclusion, labor condition and unemployment, rural development |
|
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Society for the Promotion of Area Resource Centres (SPARC) |
India |
land security, housing, infrastructure |
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Bina Swadaya |
Indonesia |
agriculture, microfinance, rural development, education |
|
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Telapak |
Indonesia |
communications/media, environment, rural development, enterprise development |
|
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Yayasan Dian Desa |
Indonesia |
enterprise development, environment, health, microfinance, rural development, technology, water, |
|
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Association of Craft Producers (ACP) |
Nepal |
enterprise development, Trade |
|
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Kashf Foundation |
Pakistan |
financial inclusion, microfinance, women |
|
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Saiban - Action Research for Shelter |
Pakistan |
homelessness, housing |
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Middle East |
Basata |
Egypt |
ecotourism, environment, waste management |
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CID Consulting |
Egypt |
education, enterprise, development, environment, waste management |
|
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Sekem Group |
Egypt |
agriculture, education, enterprise development, environment, health and rural development |
|
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Access Israel |
Israel |
disabilities, health, technology, education |
|
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Kav-Or |
Israel |
education and health |
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Shekulo Tov |
Israel |
disabilities |
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United Hatzalah of Israel |
Israel |
healthcare |
|
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YEDID - The Association for Community Empowerment |
Israel |
social and economic rights, homelessness prevention, affordable housing, financial literacy |
|
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INJAZ Al Arab - JA Worldwide |
Jordan |
children and youth, education |
|
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Sakhrah Women's Society Cooperative |
Jordan |
enterprise development, microfinance, rural development |
|
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Tamweelcom |
Jordan |
financial inclusion, enterprise development, rural development |
|
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99 Comics |
Kuwait |
communication/media, culture, children and youth |
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Latin America |
Centro Ginecologico Integral (CEGIN) |
Argentina |
health |
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Fundación Gente Nueva |
Argentina |
children and youth, education, enterprise development |
|
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Social and Economic Recovery of National Rural Villages at Risk of Disappearing (RESPONDE) |
Argentina |
rural development, education |
|
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Coronilla |
Bolivia |
labor conditions and unemployment, trade |
|
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Akatu Institute for Conscious Consumption |
Brazil |
consumer awareness |
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Associação dos Pequenos Agricultores do Municipio de Valente (APAEB) |
Brazil |
education, environment, microfinance, rural development, trade |
|
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Associação Saúde Criança |
Brazil |
children and youth, health |
|
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Center for Digital Inclusion (CDI) |
Brazil |
children and youth, education, technology |
|
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Centro Popular de Cultura e Desenvolvimento (CPCD) |
Brazil |
education, culture, development, sustainability |
|
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Institute for the Development of Natural Energy and Sustainability (IDEAAS) |
Brazil |
energy, environment, rural development, technology |
|
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Instituto de Pesquisas Ecológicas (IPE) |
Brazil |
biodiversity, environment, education, business development |
|
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Pró-Cerrado Foundation |
Brazil |
children and youth, environment, rural development |
|
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Projeto Cies |
Brazil |
Health |
|
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Saúde e Alegría |
Brazil |
communication/media, education, environment, health, rural development, water |
|
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Terra Nova Regularizações Fundiárias |
Brazil |
land ownership, urban planning, civic participation |
|
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Turma do Bem |
Brazil |
children and youth, civic participation, health |
|
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Enseña Chile |
Chile |
education |
|
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Fundación Origen |
Chile |
agriculture, children and youth, education, rural development, women, leadership, indigenous communities |
|
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RECYCLA Chile SA |
Chile |
environment, electronic and electric waste management |
|
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Rodelillo Foundation |
Chile |
enterprising families, home ownership, income generation |
|
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abcdespañol |
Colombia |
children, youth, adults, education |
|
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Escuela Nueva Foundation (Fundación Escuela Nueva Volvamos a la Gente) |
Colombia |
education, children and youth, social and civil participation, social and entrepreneurial skills |
|
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Fundación Social |
Colombia |
enterprise development, financial inclusion, homelessness and housing |
|
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Gaia Amazonas |
Colombia |
biodiversity, environment |
|
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International Center for Education and Human Development (CINDE) |
Colombia |
children and youth, education |
|
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Fundación Arcandina |
Ecuador |
communications/media, education, environment |
|
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Fonkoze |
Haiti |
microfinance, education |
|
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Cinepop |
Mexico |
civic participation, education, technology |
|
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Grupo Ecológico Sierra Gorda IAP |
Mexico |
biodiversity, environment, rural poverty |
|
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Grupo para Promover la Educación y el Desarollo Sustentable (GRUPEDSAC) |
Mexico |
agriculture, eco-training, environment, handicrafts, housing, rural development, technology |
|
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Un Kilo de Ayuda |
Mexico |
nutrition, rural supply, social development, microfinance |
|
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Unión de Ejidos de La Selva |
Mexico |
rural development, trade |
|
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Tecnosolucion S.A. |
Nicaragua |
energy, rural development, rural development |
|
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Fundación Paraguaya |
Paraguay |
civic participation, education, environment, microfinance, rural development, poverty elimination |
|
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Grupo GEA |
Peru |
enterprise development, environment |
|
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Banca Comunitaria Banesco |
Venezuela |
financial inclusion, banking |
|
|
Ciudad Saludable |
Peru |
energy, enterprise development, environment, waste management |
|
|
Europe |
HeroRAT |
Belgium |
detection rats technology, mine action, health |
|
Bosnian Handicrafts |
Bosnia |
culture, handicrafts, rural development, women |
|
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Mozaik Foundation |
Bosnia and Herzegovina |
community development, unemployment, civil participation |
|
|
Agentura ProVás s.r.o. |
Czech Republic |
disabilities, enterprise development, labour conditions, unemployment |
|
|
Bily Kruh Bezpeci o.s. |
Czech Republic |
human rights |
|
|
Letohrádek Vendula |
Czech Republic |
disabilities, education, enterprise development, health, labor conditions and unemployment |
|
|
Liga o.s. Bruntal |
Czech Republic |
unemployment, waste management, environment |
|
|
Network of Mother Centers |
Czech Republic |
family, health, women |
|
|
Pod Krídly |
Czech Republic |
education, labor conditions, unemployment |
|
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Acta Vista |
France |
heritage and environment, social inclusion, unemployment |
|
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Distribution Services Industriels (DSI) |
France |
disabilities |
|
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Le Relais |
France |
unemployment, professional integration, environment |
|
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Optimomes |
France |
children and youth |
|
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Dialogue Social Enterprise GmbH |
Germany |
disabilities, communication, education |
|
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Ethno-Medizinisches Zentrum |
Germany |
health, migrants |
|
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foodwatch |
Germany |
food industry, food law, consumer awareness |
|
|
iq consult |
Germany |
enterprise development, microfinance, labor conditions |
|
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Kinderzentren Kunterbunt e.V. |
Germany |
children and youth |
|
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Off Road Kids Foundation |
Germany |
children and youth, education |
|
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wellcome |
Germany |
children and youth, women |
|
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Alliance Rehabilitation |
Hungary |
education, disabilities, health, labour conditions, unemployment |
|
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Félúton Alapítvány |
Hungary |
health |
|
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Napra Forgó Kft. (Sunflower Ltd.) |
Hungary |
unemployment, disabilities, labor conditions |
|
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LifeGate Group |
Italy |
communications/media, consumer awareness, energy, environment, trade |
|
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San Patrignano Community |
Italy |
drug rehabilitation, enterprise development, health |
|
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Aflatoun, Child Social and Financial Education |
Netherlands |
children and youth, education, financial inclusion |
|
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Barka Foundation for Mutual Help |
Poland |
homelessness, housing |
|
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Barka-Kofoed School |
Poland |
homelessness, housing |
|
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Center for Citizenship Education (Centrum Edukacji Obywatelskiej) |
Poland |
education |
|
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La Fageda |
Spain |
enterprise development, health |
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Gump- & Drahtesel, Velos für Afrika |
Switzerland |
unemployment, rural development, environment and sustainability |
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Infoklick.ch |
Switzerland |
children and youth |
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Job Factory Basel AG |
Switzerland |
children and youth, labor conditions and unemployment |
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Stiftung Blind-Liecht |
Switzerland |
communications/media, disabilities |
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Doga Gözcüleri Dernegi (Nature Observers' Society) |
Turkey |
enterprise development, environment |
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Hey Tekstil |
Turkey |
enterprise development, women |
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Kamer |
Turkey |
women, human rights, domestic violence, honor killing, forced marriage, education, enterprise development |
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TEMA Foundation |
Turkey |
environment |
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The Way Home |
Ukraine |
HIV/AIDS, Homelessness and Housing |
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Belu Water |
United Kingdom |
environment, water |
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Camfed International |
United Kingdom |
children and youth, education, women |
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Homeless World Cup |
United Kingdom |
sport, homelessness, housing, communications, media |
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North America |
People Tree |
United Kingdom |
environment, trade |
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Riders for Health |
United Kingdom |
health |
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Evergreen Foundation |
Canada |
environment, sustainable cities |
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Andean Health and Development |
USA |
health |
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College Summit |
USA |
education |
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First Book |
USA |
children and youth, education |
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Freelancers Union |
USA |
labor conditions and unemployment |
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KickStart International |
USA |
agriculture, enterprise development, technology, service innovations |
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Landesa |
USA |
land and property rights, povery alleviation |
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Medicines360 |
USA |
public health |
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Microfinance International Corporation (MFIC) |
USA |
financial inclusion |
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Novica |
USA |
culture, handicrafts, enterprise development |
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PATH (Programme for Appropriate Technology in Health) |
USA |
health |
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Rubicon Programs Inc. |
USA |
enterprise development, labor conditions and unemployment |
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ShoreBank Corporation |
USA |
Financial Inclusion |
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Teach For America |
USA |
education |
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Benetech Initiative |
USA |
disabilities, human rights, environment, education, technology |
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Oceania |
Cambia |
Australia |
innovation, agriculture, health, technology, intellectual property, science |
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cool nrg International Pty Ltd |
Australia |
energy, environment |