Problem Statement

Uruguayan society presents a lack of environmental awareness and sense of belonging with its surrounding environment. Citizens do not to appreciate the power and energy that each individual possesses to make a difference and contribute to the development of a sustainable society. According to PISA test conducted in year 2012, Uruguay is the country with fewer minutes of lessons in reading, mathematics and science in Latin America. It is necessary to complement government efforts towards sustainable energy development, social enterpreneurship, social inclusion by raising awareness in society as a whole and especially in children and young people, not only in the capital city but also in the countryside

Proposed solution

2014 was rounded off in typically creative style for the Montevideo hub with the organisation and realisation of 'Ideas Que Iluminan' (Ideas that Shine), a dynamic and interactive day of social entrepreneurship workshops with over 70 young people from all over Uruguay.  In collaboration with Ashoka Argentina, the day was conceived with the aim of giving young leaders valuable contact with ideas and people that would inspire, engage and challenge them to redefine their own notions of business and social success, providing the tools and skills to enable them to become better connected. Feedback proved to be universally positive, with participants commenting that, for many, it was the first time they had been given the chance to interact with these concepts. 

Target Group

Young people between 15 and 17 years old from all over Uruguay.

Hub activities

The event lasted all day. It started with six Uruguayan social entrepreneurs committed to various national problems (education, ecological transport, recycling, use of technologies, financial inclusion and empowerment in marginal contexts), who talked about their enterprises. After a round of inspirational talks, the young people were divided into six groups, each group being accompanied by a shaper and speaker, and using the canvas methodology, solutions for local level problems were sought in each of these sectors. Post canvas, they presented the work accomplished and received feedback from a jury. Finally, we closed the day painting a bus of the Don Pedro Foundation, the foundation where the event took place. 

Available metrics:

70 young people between 15 and 17 years old 

6 Inspirational Ted-style talks from 6 Uruguayan young social entrepreneurs committed to different national problems who presented their social enterprises

Colaborators: Ashoka Argentina , Don Pedro Foundation, DESEM Young Entrepreneurs, Instituto Nacional de Juventud (National Institute of Youth - Uruguay, Goodlife, Coca Cola Uruguay and Leopoldo Gross.