“Change Dah Story” Challenge

Several agencies, including the Inter-American Bank and Complete Caribbean, have partnered to conduct a new social innovation challenge in Belize known as ‘Chang Dah Story.’ The challenge was launched today and seeks to support the development of solutions to address social and environmental problems that the vulnerable youth population is facing. Participants will be challenged to focus on key areas such as education, recreation, parenting, and employment. The call for submissions is open to individuals, organizations, entrepreneurs and the wider population. The top three submissions will receive a funding of ten thousand U.S. dollars.

Cassandra Rogers

Cassandra Rogers, Country Rep., I.D.B. (Belize)

“The initiative as you may know is designed to attract creative problems solvers in Belize who can develop innovative ideas and business solutions which when implemented could improve the future of vulnerable youths and youths at risk in Belize. In order words, change their story so that these youths at risk could have a more effective contribution to the social and economic development in the country.”

Sylvia Dohnert

Dr. Sylvia Dohnert, Executive Director, Complete Caribbean

“This workshop is really to get people inspired about the type of ideas that they could present. The challenge is open from today until December first. Then we will have a panel review the ideas that are presented and we will select fifteen ideas where we are going invite the teams related to those ideas for a booth camp of two days. After those two days we will select three ideas and each of these teams will get U.S. ten thousand dollars to incubate and also seed the idea.”

The launch coincides with the celebration of the I.D.B.’s sixtieth anniversary.