Vodafone funds passionate leaders in the youth sector

Media Release

August 18, 2014

Vodafone funds passionate leaders in the youth sector

The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is looking for passionate leaders who want to make a real difference to the lives of young Kiwis - and will pay six people to do just that.

The World of Difference programme is Vodafone’s unique corporate-giving initiative. The programme pays the salary and expenses of individuals for a year – enabling them to work full-time for a charitable organisation, involved with young New Zealanders.

Vodafone New Zealand Foundation chair Antony Welton says a total of six awards are up for grabs in 2015.

“Applicants will need to show how they plan to build the capacity of their charitable organisation and ensure their project is sustainable beyond the first year.”

The focus for this year’s programme is to engage more young people in meaningful learning. Projects need to have clearly defined outcomes, potential for greater scale and provide opportunities to engage in learning, work or training for those with few opportunities.

Antony continues: “We are looking for innovative individuals who can engage young people who aren’t in employment, education or training. We have a high number of disengaged youth in New Zealand – all of whom under the right guidance, and in a positive learning environment, can realise their dreams and contribute to society.”

A special aspect of the programme is that the Foundation provides leadership development, training, networking opportunities, volunteers and advocacy to successful applicants.

Craig McDougall, a current World of Difference recipient, works with youth at the Flaxmere Boxing Academy in Hawke’s Bay.

“The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation World of Difference programme has given us the support and resources we need to inspire and create meaningful lifelong opportunities for young people in our community.”

To find out more about Craig and his work at the Flaxmere Boxing Academy, go to http://foundation.vodafone.co.nz/what-we-fund/world-of-difference/craig-mcdougall/

Since its inception in 2002, the Foundation has supported 73 inspiring individuals with the World of Difference programme. This year’s recipients are engaged in a range of projects from creating rural work opportunities for disengaged urban youth to developing a music mentoring programme with young people in low decile schools.

The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation has invested $18 million in this, and other programmes over the past 12 years.

To find out more or to submit an online application, visit http://foundation.vodafone.co.nz/what-we-fund/world-of-difference/.

Entries open 18 August 2014, and close on 26 September 2014 at 5pm. Successful applicants will begin their World of Difference positions between 1 January 2015 and 31 March 2015.

About Vodafone New Zealand Foundation
Established in November 2002, the Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is the charitable arm of Vodafone NZ’s business and aims to encourage positive and healthy outcomes for New Zealanders aged 12 to 24. The Vodafone New Zealand Foundation is one of 27 Vodafone Foundations worldwide.

About World of Difference
The Vodafone NZ Foundation finds passionate people who want to make a difference in the community. We support them financially and professionally while they work for a New Zealand youth charity for one year. The aim is to grow the leadership and capacity of individuals as well as strengthen the charity’s ability to work in the community both now and in the future.
Each award is $100,000 and is allocated towards salary and expenses as agreed by the recipient and their chosen charity. As a high-engagement funding programme, the Vodafone NZ Foundation provides leadership development, training, networking and collaboration opportunities and offers volunteers, mentoring, advocacy and other support.

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:
•You must be 18 years old or over and a New Zealand citizen or resident.
•Your organisation must be a New Zealand charity and should embrace the principles of the Youth Development Strategy Aotearoa.
•You must have obtained the approval of the CEO (or if one does not exist, the Chair) of the organisation before applying.
•Outcomes must relate to getting youth not in education, employment or training (Y-NEET) or those at risk of becoming Y-NEET engaged in meaningful learning. The cause must be youth-focused (defined as individuals between 12 to 24 years of age) and the project must focus on capacity building.
•Your project will begin between the 1st of January and the 31st of March 2015 and you are able to commit to working full-time for 12 months.

ENDS

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