Change Architects transforms youth into change makers through community development and social entrepreneurship using design thinking. 500+ innovative teachers volunteer their time to facilitate activities for their students. 5,000+ youth identify problems in their communities, brainstorm ideas and implement sustainable solutions. In doing so, they develop 21st Century skills such as: empathy, collaboration, communication, leadership and confidence in their own capacity to generate change.
In 2015 the European Commission estimated that over 46% of Romanian youths are at the risk of poverty and social exclusion, percentage higher than national average of 37%. The educational system failed to attract, support and retain capable teachers and offer students access to practical and relevant skills and competencies. For these reasons we need complementary initiatives which contribute to the development of teachers and students.
Change Architects introduces new teaching methods through online training and coaching. Innovative teachers become part of a supportive community and work with their students for the duration of the entire school year. Through experiential learning the students become change agents in their communities and acquire 21st Century skills. By organizing summer camps and teachers workshops we are strengthening our community, building capacity and offering agile solutions to community challenges.
Our work will engage over 5,000 children and 500 teachers from the entire country, resulting in over 150 youth led social innovations, with potential to transform the entire educational system and Romanian society. Thought collaboration, design thinking and social entrepreneurship we are building a community of empowered leaders who have the abilities, means and inspiration to shape their own future.
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
