BeChangeMaker Youth Festival connects young entrepreneurs

BeChangeMaker Youth Festival 2025 concluded on 12 April after two days packed with insights, inspiration, and meaningful connections aimed at uniting over 300 past participants of our startup accelerator programme for the first time.

Facilitated by UNESCO-UNEVOC, with the support of WorldSkills International and the HP Foundation, the festival was held virtually and was open to anyone interested in social entrepreneurship, including young startup founders, TVET learners, trainers, and educators.

The programme included keynotes and panel discussions with industry leaders and global changemakers, microlearning sessions and workshops on entrepreneurship, digital innovation, and sustainability, as well as several opportunities for networking and knowledge sharing.

Referring to the BeChangeMaker Youth Festival 2025 as “a milestone in the history of the BeChangeMaker programme,” Grace Lung, Senior Manager of Sponsorship and Partnerships at WorldSkills International, shared a message of encouragement with young entrepreneurs striving to create positive global impact.

“It doesn’t matter where you are in your entrepreneurial journey – you need to be very clear about the purpose of what you do. Find something that you deeply care about and that is bigger than yourself. Then, whatever happens in your journey as an entrepreneur, you can always lean back on your purpose to continue pushing yourself toward your goals,” she said.

In a series of short masterclasses, teams Doorcas Africa, Sekofia, and I Hear You – participants from the 2024 and 2023 editions – spoke about their solutions to reduce livestock mortality, increase healthcare access, and promote mental health for youth through technology. They also shared advice on tackling challenges, launching new ventures, and achieving success as young entrepreneurs.

“The combination of innovative technology and a deep understanding of the people you serve can create lasting, meaningful change,” said Abayomi Odole, CEO of Doorcas Africa, encouraging others to begin with “the resources you have at hand, no matter how small.”

A panel discussion with BeChangeMaker alumni also reflected on how the programme’s support helped them evolve their businesses. Medvax Health shared how participating in the accelerator helped them refine their business pitches, opening doors to new opportunities and funding. Their platform connects Nigerian healthcare providers and families with timely access to quality, affordable medication.

Under the theme “Igniting Change, Empowering Action,” the first edition of the BeChangeMaker Youth Festival laid the groundwork for an annual gathering of the Alumni Network, fostering ongoing collaboration and mentorship beyond the programme. Future editions are envisioned to be fully led by alumni.

Learn more about the event and watch recordings of the sessions on the UNESCO-UNEVOC official event website.

Applications are currently being accepted for BeChangeMaker 2025.