Sustainable Development Challenge

0 (0 Ratings)

Categories Allies, Cohort Programs

The Sustainable Development Challenge (SDC) is a hands-on, multi-month experiential learning program designed for Okanagan youth ages 13–24. Delivered through an interactive, 8-lesson curriculum, this course guides participants step-by-step from discovering root causes of community issues to designing, testing, and modeling viable social enterprises that advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Supported every step of the way by dedicated educators, Impact Toolbox facilitators, and expert community mentors, youth build essential leadership, critical thinking, budgeting, and storytelling skills. By the end of the course, teams are equipped with launch-ready impact initiatives and the pitch preparation needed to present their solutions for a share of $10,000 in direct seed funding.

Buy Now

Duration

2 hours
Enrollment validity

Enrollment validity: 365 days
Certificate

Certificate of completion

Providing high school learners across the Kootenays with training and mentorship to explore entrepreneurship and lead impactful community projects.

Curriculum

Lesson One: Entrepreneurship & the social entrepreneurial journey
Students will explore the concept of entrepreneurship, with a focus on social entrepreneurship. They will learn about the entrepreneurial journey and the value of adopting a mindset that drives social change and environmental protection.

Introduction to entrepreneurship

04:48
Find your strengths and skills

03:06
Qualities of a successful entrepreneur

01:03
Introduction to social entrepreneurship

01:06
The social entrepreneurship mindset: For profit vs. Non-profit
Key goals of social entrepreneurship

02:45
Worksheet: What entrepreneurial capabilities do you have?

Lesson Two: Sustainable development & exploring the impact you want to make
Students will delve into social impact by exploring youth-led initiatives and the concept of sustainable development. They will also learn about the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their relevance to creating meaningful change.

Lesson Three: Systemic inequities & problem discovery
For developing their final projects, students will learn how to pinpoint and analyze an issue and understand the strengths of using root cause analysis. They will explore how to research a problem to ensure a thorough understanding.

Lesson Four: Identify innovative solutions
Students will begin crafting innovative solutions to a problem they have identified. Students will streamline their ideas through ideation and prioritize solutions effectively.

Midpoint Abstract
Students will submit a midpoint abstract that covers their learning from Lessons One to Four.

Lesson Five: Develop your innovative & sustainable solution
Students will continue to spend time working on their projects. They will learn how to define a project’s vision and develop a theory of change that helps to map out a pathway to achieve project goals.

Lesson Six: Social impact business modelling
Students will learn how to create a social impact business model to effectively outline key aspects of a project such as target market, value proposition, revenue, and more.

Lesson Seven: Action planning and budgeting
Students will learn how to transition from idea generation to a concrete plan.

Lesson Eight: Storytelling and crafting your pitch
Students will learn the profound power of stories to connect with an audience. Then, they will integrate their project knowledge and storytelling skills to develop a compelling formal pitch deck.

Final Abstract Submission
This final assignment requires students to synthesize all course learning by submitting a concise abstract that summarizes their fully developed social enterprise idea and pitch. This abstract will be used to select the top projects for the final community showcase.

Celebrate your journey and showcase your impact.

Student Reviews

No Review Yet

Sustainable Development Challenge

What will I learn?

Curriculum

Introduction to entrepreneurship

Find your strengths and skills

Qualities of a successful entrepreneur

Introduction to social entrepreneurship

The social entrepreneurship mindset: For profit vs. Non-profit

Key goals of social entrepreneurship

Worksheet: What entrepreneurial capabilities do you have?

What is social impact?

Optional: Examples of youth-led social impact projects

What is sustainable development?

The 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Optional: Indigenous perspectives on the SDGs

Optional: Canada and the SDGs

Worksheet: Explore problems and the SDGs

Lesson Three: Systemic inequities & problem discovery For developing their final projects, students will learn how to pinpoint and analyze an issue and understand the strengths of using root cause analysis. They will explore how to research a problem to ensure a thorough understanding.

Identify and understand problems

Problem identification and background information

Worksheet: Problem framing

Understanding stakeholders

Root cause analysis

Worksheet: Research our issue

Lesson Four: Identify innovative solutions Students will begin crafting innovative solutions to a problem they have identified. Students will streamline their ideas through ideation and prioritize solutions effectively.

Divergent vs. convergent thinking

Analyze and streamline your solutions

Worksheet: Find your solution

Midpoint Abstract Students will submit a midpoint abstract that covers their learning from Lessons One to Four.

Midpoint abstract submission

Lesson Five: Develop your innovative & sustainable solution Students will continue to spend time working on their projects. They will learn how to define a project’s vision and develop a theory of change that helps to map out a pathway to achieve project goals.

Define your project’s vision

Define your project’s mission

Develop your theory of change

Worksheet: Develop a theory of change

Lesson Six: Social impact business modelling Students will learn how to create a social impact business model to effectively outline key aspects of a project such as target market, value proposition, revenue, and more.

Develop your business model

Worksheet: Social enterprise & business model canvas

Lesson Seven: Action planning and budgeting Students will learn how to transition from idea generation to a concrete plan.

Develop an action plan

Worksheet: Action planning

Set SMART goals & budgeting

Worksheet: Make a budget

Lesson Eight: Storytelling and crafting your pitch Students will learn the profound power of stories to connect with an audience. Then, they will integrate their project knowledge and storytelling skills to develop a compelling formal pitch deck.

The power of stories

Two approaches to storytelling

Worksheet: Tell your story

Develop a pitch

Develop your presentation deck

Optional: Presentation development tools to consider

Assignment: Develop your pitch deck

Final Abstract Submission This final assignment requires students to synthesize all course learning by submitting a concise abstract that summarizes their fully developed social enterprise idea and pitch. This abstract will be used to select the top projects for the final community showcase.

Final abstract submission

Earn a Certificate