The Government of British Columbia, in partnership with RADIUS SFU, is honouring extraordinary B.C. youth with the 2017 BC Social Innovation Youth Awards.

Ten youth under 30 who have come up with innovative new ideas for improving social outcomes for others will receive $1,000 each plus an invitation to attend and be recognized at the BC Summit on Social Innovation in Vancouver on Feb. 8, 2017.

Young British Columbians of all backgrounds, diversities and abilities and from all regions of the province are strongly encouraged to apply. Travel and accommodation for winners from outside the Lower Mainland will be covered to attend the summit. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by a third-party individual or organization by Jan. 20, 2017. The nomination process will include a brief online written submission explaining the social innovation, why it is unique and how it affects others.

A diverse panel of social-innovation specialists will review and assess the submissions for various strengths, including innovation, creativity and a demonstrated impact of the social innovation. Finalists will be notified on Jan. 27 and the awards will be presented at the summit.

Social innovation is about finding new ways to address challenging and complex social problems. This includes issues like homelessness, unemployment, climate change and public health. A social innovation can be on any scale. Some have broad impacts. Imagine, for example, a youth who comes up with a low-cost technology that improves health care in rural or remote settings. Other social innovations may have smaller impacts, for example a high-school student who develops a unique anti-bullying campaign. 

The BC Summit on Social Innovation will gather entrepreneurs, businesses, investors, universities and non-profit organizations to share ideas, success stories and engage in panel discussions on how to grow more successful partnerships across sectors.  

RADIUS SFU is a social innovation lab and venture incubator based out of Simon Fraser University’s Beedie School of Business. A place for Radical Doers, RADIUS develops the emerging leaders and solutions needed for a sustainable, just and healthy economy through four integrated program streams: RADIUS Ventures, RADIUS Lab, the RADIUS Fellowship, and SFU Social Innovation Programming.

For more details about the youth awards or to nominate an outstanding youth, visit: www.radiussfu.com/bcyouthinnovationawards

Quotes:

Michelle Stilwell, Minister of Social Development and Social Innovation –

“B.C.’s youth are going to lead our province into the future. They are energized, engaged and full of bright, new ideas for tackling the social and environmental challenges that impact all British Columbians. I am proud to have our government support these awards and hope they inspire more young people to get involved in helping others.”

Shawn Smith, director of RADIUS SFU –

“RADIUS is proud to have worked with hundreds of social innovators in B.C., and thrilled to play a role in supporting these awards. While the challenges we face as a society can seem daunting, it is impossible to spend time with young leaders advancing new solutions without coming away inspired and full of hope. We’re confident those applying for this support will be no different.”

Quick Facts:

• Part of the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation’s mandate is to work with partners in the business and community sectors to support social innovation and enterprise in B.C.
• B.C. was the first jurisdiction in Canada to create the Community Contribution Company – a corporate entity recognized by people who want to use their purchasing dollars to support a positive social impact, and by investors who are interested in both a social and financial return.
• In 2014 the government provided $184,000 to fund a University of British Columbia study on B.C.’s social venture sector. The study, released in 2015, found the sector has grown by 36% over the last five years with businesses seeing the highest rate of growth at 89%. The sector generates an estimated $533 million annually and employs more than 12,700 people.
• As an active member of the BC Partners for Social Impact, government works with social innovation leaders in the public, private and non-profit sectors to promote and support social innovation and enterprise throughout the province.

Learn More:

For more details about the BC Social Innovation Youth Awards or to nominate an outstanding youth by Jan. 20, 2017, visit: www.radiussfu.com/bcyouthinnovationawards

Learn about the Ministry of Social Development and Social Innovation: www.sdsi.gov.bc.ca/social-innovation/index.htm

Discover more about RADIUS SFU: www.radiussfu.com

Explore: www.hubcapbc.ca, B.C.’s online social-innovation tool to find resources, learn about new and ongoing social innovation projects, and connect with B.C.’s innovators, entrepreneurs, educators, funders, and public policy makers.