Are you young* and hold the key to sustainable peace in South Sudan? Then UNDP South Sudan is looking for you**. The UN agency is launching an innovation challenge for youth -- individuals and groups -- with out-of-the-box innovative ideas on engaging their fellow young countrymen in peace building and as agents of positive change in South Sudan. Apart from potentially contributing to peace, prizes of up to 10,000 USD can be won.

The programme recognizes the strength of youth-led initiatives and the impact of home-grown ideas on societies emerging from conflict, and seeks to harness the creative thinking of young South Sudanese to make an immediate impact.

As part of the challenge, UNDP will help individuals and groups develop their ideas and solutions through a multi-step process. The most innovative, scalable, and financially sustainable ideas will win cash prizes ranging from 4,000 to 10,000 USD. The winning teams will receive mentorship support by experts to implement their ideas through collaboration with relevant projects where these ideas can be adopted.

Youth in South Sudan make up the majority of the population with more than 70 per cent of the population being below the age of 30, and more than 50 per cent below the age of 18. Nationwide, hundreds of thousands of young people are facing an uncertain future spurred by instability and conflict.

The competition is looking for innovative ideas, developed by youth, which can involve the young people of South Sudan in constructive ways to promote or achieve and stability in their country. The competition is focused specifically on ideas, not funding proposals.

All interested applicants are encouraged to attend a social innovation workshop on August 25, where participants will have the opportunity to ask questions, learn about the rules and process of the innovation challenge, and receive help with developing their ideas.

Interested individuals, groups, or organizations can register for the youth innovation challenge by sending an email to innovation.ss@undp.org, calling 0912581487 or passing by the UNDP country office at UNDP Compound, Plot no. 21, Ministries Road, P.O Box 410, Juba – South Sudan, by 23 August 2016. More information in the attached audio file and at www.bit.ly/innovationchallenge.

*Adults keeping the secrets to peace are also highly encouraged to get in touch.

**UNDP South Sudan and pretty much everyone else, in all fairness.