Pune, July 04, 2023. Mercedes-Benz takes the lead in environmental action by introducing beVisioneers, a pioneering fellowship program designed to empower young innovators, ages 16 to 28, to become champions of environmental stewardship. The program, commenced in July, aims to equip these talented individuals with the necessary tools and support to drive positive change in their communities and beyond.
Through beVisioneers, selected from a pool of over 1000 applicants, the first cohort of 100 passionate young innovators will embark on a transformative 12-month journey dedicated to bringing their planet-positive ideas to fruition. These aspiring changemakers share a strong personal vision, clear motivation, and viable projects that aim to benefit the planet and its people.
One such fellow is Muskan, a 19-year-old visionary from Delhi, who aims to tackle food waste and plastic pollution through a unique solution: biodegradable film made from banana biomass waste. Muskan, already working on a B2B business model, is eager to collaborate with fellow innovators and entrepreneurs to further develop her ideas. "There’s a gap between my theoretical knowledge and practical application, and being part of this Fellowship would provide me with a fantastic opportunity to bridge that gap," she expressed.
Akhilesh, a 22-year-old participant, envisions establishing an International Alliance for Climate Refugees. Risav Ganguly, a 17-year-old from Jamshedpur, India, aims to convert the biochemical energy of wastewater into electricity. Other fellows' projects encompass micro wind turbines, drain systems for flood mitigation, sustainable building materials from upcycled sawdust, and affordable compost to combat food insecurity.
Designed and implemented by The DO School Fellowships, a renowned education pioneer, beVisioneers equips young innovators worldwide with the necessary training, mentoring, expert support, and resources to bring their planet-positive ideas to life. With an ambitious plan to support 1000 fellows annually from all regions globally by 2025, beVisioneers is poised to generate substantial and measurable impact within local communities.
"We are thrilled with the project ideas and leadership potential of our first 102 fellows," shared Mariah Levin, Executive Director of beVisioneers. "Young people want to actively mitigate the consequences of climate change," she said. Katherin Kirschenmann, Founder and Managing Director of The DO School Fellowships, added, "So many (people) have invaluable contributions to make but have not found a path to advance from idea to action. beVisioneers is here to change that. Through innovative approaches to knowledge, network, and venture building, our program supports fellows to transform ideas into tangible solutions."
beVisioneers adopts an inclusive approach by selecting fellows regardless of their background and emphasizing financial inclusion. Generously funded by Mercedes-Benz, the program offers a comprehensive package of benefits, including weekly online lessons, one-on-one mentoring, guidance from world-class experts, and free access for all fellows. Additionally, financial stipends are available to support those in need, and project funding is awarded based on merit. Following the completion of the 12-month program and the launch of their projects, fellows will continue to receive training and support to scale their initiatives, becoming influential advocates for environmental change in their respective regions.
This year's cohort of 100 fellows was selected from a pool of over 1000 young applicants, representing approximately one-third from South Africa, one-third from India, and one-third from Germany, Hungary, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Spain, and the UK.
While fellows have already begun their virtual interactions, the true commencement of beVisioneers takes place in July, as participants convene for the first time at regional summits held in Johannesburg, South Africa; Pune, India; or Stuttgart, Germany. During the three-day summits, beVisioneers covers transportation, accommodation, and meals for all attendees, who will have the opportunity to engage with guest experts and speakers on various topics encompassing personal leadership, sustainability, environmental action, community building, and networking.
