Ashoka's Changemakers and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation are hosting a global competition to find the most innovative approaches to supporting young men at risk between the ages of 15-25, in realizing their great potential and reaching a successful and healthy adulthood. Young men today suffer from the societal ills of gangs, addiction, crime, violence, accidental deaths, and increasingly, mental health problems.

“Young Men at Risk: Transforming the Power of a Generation” seeks to collect groundbreaking approaches to addressing these challenges and to sponsor informed debate and comment on work being done to help young men thrive. The competition will award funding for the most innovative work in fields from music to mental health to support the expansion of their impact on a generation of young men.

Between November 7th, 2007 and January 23rd 2008, organizations are invited to submit their proposals. In February 2008, the Changemakers community will vote for three winners from the approximately 12 finalists who will be selected by our panel of judges. The Changemakers Collaborative Competition winners, the three finalists that receive the most votes, will be announced on March 11, 2008 and will each receive a cash prize of US$5,000.

Organizations are invited to join the dialogue, even if they do not enter the competition. All groups can join the online Changemakers community to make suggestions and recommend resources that will help refine and strengthen the strategies presented by competition entrants.

The competition will be open to all types of organizations (civil society organizations, private companies, or public entities) from all countries. Entries will be considered that reflect the theme of the competition, Young Men at Risk, are at the demonstration stage, and that show signs of success. The winners of this Changemakers Collaborative Competition will be those entries that best meet the following criteria: Innovation, Social Impact and Sustainability.

There are three main phases in the competition:

• Entry Stage – November 7, 2007 – January 23, 2008

• Online Review and Judging – January 24 to February 25, 2008

• Voting – February 26 to March 11, 2008

For more information on entering, the online review, and voting please visit the following website: http://www.changemakers.net/competition/men.