[color=#42a6c6][size=3]The Peace First Challenge [/size][/color][color=#000000][size=2]The Peace First Challenge helps young people (ages 13-25) create and lead projects that address injustice in their community through compassion, courage and collaborative leadership.[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]Young people anywhere in the world can join the Challenge by clicking the link below. When you join the Challenge, you’ll be guided through a 5-stage journey and provided helpful tools and support, including training, mentorship and funding, to launch a social change project in your community.[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2]They take a wide view of social change and injustice. They provide guidelines for the criteria a Peace First project must meet, but trust young people to tell us what the problems in their community are that need urgent solutions, and to work with the community to figure out the what these solutions can look like.[/size][/color] [color=#000000][size=2] [/size][/color] [color=#42a6c6][size=2]Joining the Challenge gives you access to:[/size][/color] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2]A mini grant of up to $250 USD [/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]A self-guided virtual training, developed by young social change leaders from around the world, that takes you step by step through the process of creating an impactful project (or make an existing project stronger) [/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Tools, developed over Peace First’s 30 years of supporting young people, to build a just and peaceful world, to deepen your learning and support your project planning [/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Personalized feedback and mentorship to help your project succeed, including multiple rounds of written feedback and a coaching video call [/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Opportunities to gain exposure for your work, including being featured in Peace First social media and newsletters[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Become part of a community of changemakers in your region and around the world.[/size][/color][/li] [/ul] [color=#000000][size=2] [/size][/color] [size=2][color=#42a6c6]For us to support your project, Peace First must clearly be able to verify that each of the following are true:[/color][/size] [ul] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Young people 13-25 are the key decision-makers for the project. This means they have the authority to decide the focus of the project, the actions the project team will take, and how resources are used (setting and approving budgets). If adults over 25 are making these decisions, the project is not youth-led.[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Young people 13-25 are the primary leaders for the project. This means they are doing the majority of the work (leading meetings, mobilizing volunteers, planning events, writing curriculum, etc) required to carry out the project successfully. If adults over 25 are doing the majority of this work, the project is not youth-led.[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]Young people 13-25 are the ones engaging in the Peace First process. Our process was designed specifically to help young people build agency and leadership skills. Young people must be the ones to complete the exercises in the Peace First Challenge, correspond with our mentors, and participate in the verification/coaching calls.[/size][/color][/li] [li][color=#000000][size=2]You can join the Challenge with a project you’ve already created, or use the Challenge to create a new project. Either way, you’ll have access to the same tools and support to help make your project a success, and you’ll be required to submit the same information about your project to receive a mini grant. About half of the youth Peace First serves develop new projects through the Challenge, the other half come to the Challenge for support with an existing project. Whatever stage you’re at in your journey as a social change leader, we’re ready to meet you where you are.  [/size][/color][/li] [/ul] [color=#000000][size=2]Want to learn more about how the challenge works? [url=https://www.peacefirst.org/peace-first-challenge-how-it-works]Click here[/url][/size][/color]