The Call for Applications for Bioeconomy Youth Champions is out now!

https://gbs2020.net/about/call-for-applications/

The International Advisory Council on Global Bioeconomy (IAC) is looking for young champions motivated to engage with the global bioeconomy youth during the virtual Global Bioeconomy Summit 2020, 16^th – 20^th November 2020.

What’s the aim of the call?

The objective of this call is to bring together an eclectic and geographically diverse leadership group of young people, from across the globe, who will act as ambassadors for the bioeconomy at GBS2020. These ambassadors will help represent the diversity of the young global bioeconomy community at GBS2020.

Possible Outputs during GBS2020:

• Organizing a 2-hour youth session in advance of the Summit to connect inspiring young people from around the world to exchange opinions and engage in an open dialogue on global bioeconomy development
• Developing a youth statement on the theme of GBS2020
• Developing a report on youth concerns, motivations, actions, approaches and demands for global bioeconomy development

What are the benefits?

Ambassadors will get the chance to participate in GBS2020 and to present their work to an international and expert audience.

Who can apply?

Young people with a strong interest in global bioeconomy development, e.g. high school and college students, young researchers and academics, young professionals, policymakers and entrepreneurs, young non-profit leaders, journalists and social media influencers.

The applicants are required to meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Between the ages of 15-35
• Strong command of English
• Interest in global bioeconomy development
• High school and college students, young researchers and academics, young professionals, policymakers and entrepreneurs, young non-profit leaders, journalists and social media influencers
• Eligible Regions: Open for all

Selection Process

All applications received will be evaluated by a jury. The jury is composed of the following IAC Members:

• Roman Brenne, Policy Officer at European Commission, DG Research & Innovation, Bioeconomy and Food Systems Unit
• Achim Dobermann, Chief Scientist of the International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA)
• Elspeth MacRae, Chief Innovation and Science Officer at SCION
• Adrián Rodriguez, Chief of the Agricultural Development Unit of the UN Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (UN-ECLAC)
• Flora Ismail Tibazarwa, Program Director for the Southern African Innovation Support Programme (SAIS 2)

The jury will select 5 – 7 ambassadors from across the globe. The jury strives for a broad variety of views and people (e.g. in terms of expertise and background, gender, nationality, career stage).
Applicants are asked to provide a brief (about 1 page) profile to present her-/himself including background and interest in bioeconomy, career stage, a short proposal for their specific output during GBS2020 and ideas on how to foster a global bioeconomy youth community after GBS2020. Candidates will have the opportunity to pitch their ideas to the jury. Jury decisions will be final. Candidates will be contacted by e-mail.

Applications will be judged based on the following criteria:

• formal requirements mentioned above
• demonstration of the interest in the bioeconomy, regardless of professional experience
• ideas for output during and after GBS2020
• creativity

Further requirements:

• Submission: Candidates may submit only one application. They will be asked to submit their work electronically to the Conference Office of the Global Bioeconomy Summit. All submissions must bear the name and the (e-mail) address. Submission language is English.
• Deadline: All entries must be submitted by 1 September 2020.
• Format: Entries can be submitted in the following format: 1-page Word or PDF document