Opportunity for young environmentalists
Once in a lifetime opportunity to be a part of the Four Elements Environmental Entrepreneurship Camp 2015.
A SELECT group of environmentally passionate youngsters is being offered a unique opportunity to become social entrepreneurs at the Four Elements Environmental Camp 2015, being run this December in Northern Zululand.
Durban-based NPO, Four Elements Conservation, is offering fully-paid scholarships to between eight and 12 young learners for the camp.
During this four-day camp, which is being organised by Four Elements CEO, Olivia Taylor, the group will participate in a number of outdoor activities including an ocean experience, game, birding and nature walks.
These adventures will be connected by a course in essential business skills that will teach the successful applicants about how to start their own initiatives and become high-impact social entrepreneurs.
The course will cover how to put ideas into action, using youth as an advantage, registering an NPO, starting a social media platform, sustainable funding and conducting a meeting.
The sought-after spots will be open to boys and girls aged between 12 and 18 years, who have a love for the environment and belief in the future of South Africa.
“The camp is about teaching young people how to become environmental entrepreneurs while engaging with the environment,” explained 18-year-old Taylor.
The course has been designed using real-life insights Taylor has learnt while starting her environmental journey eight years ago, eventually launching her successful NPO, Four Elements Conservation, when she was just 15 years old.
In 2008, Taylor became concerned about the decimation of the bearded vulture and has since raised R200 000 for the species, and more for the oceans, through a number of fundraising ventures.
“It’s for people who want to make a change but don’t know how to,” explained Taylor.
She said the course is not a once-off training session as successful applicants will be expected to follow up and keep in touch regarding initiatives they have started.
Funding for the course, which is valued at between R5 000 and R10 000 per person, was raised through the Four Elements Ocean Challenge held on 16 May.
The first section of the application process is a written form which can be found at www.fourelementsconservation.org. Applications close on 8 September. Applicants will then be shortlisted and interviewed face-to-face in October before the final selection is made and the lucky candidates announced.
