NEW YORK, NY., August 3, 2020 / — The Resolution Project has extended its partnership with the Mastercard Foundation in an effort to continue to identify and support young social entrepreneurs across the African continent during the global pandemic. This dynamic partnership, now in its fourth year, will allow Resolution to adapt its programming and processes to a virtual environment as a result of COVID-19.
Since the onset of COVID-19 in March 2020, Resolution Fellows—young leaders who address local and intractable challenges through social entrepreneurship—have been the first—and sometimes only—leaders to offer relief to the most vulnerable people in their communities, particularly across Africa. Such relief includes food supplies in Rwanda, sanitation kits and virus-prevention training in Kenya, and clean water in South Sudan. In partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, USD700,000 has been committed to provide direct and immediate support to these Fellows, in the form of emergency relief for those who need it. This commitment will also support five virtual Social Venture Challenges (SVCs)—multi-step competitions through which Resolution identifies the most promising young leaders with the boldest ideas for change. Three of these SVCs will be in collaboration with the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and two will be virtual pilots. The additional SVCs will provide a pathway for dozens more young people, all around the world, to solve local challenges, create jobs, and transform communities for the better.
In the four years that The Resolution Project has partnered with Mastercard Foundation and its Scholars Program, over 100 Mastercard Foundation Scholars have become Resolution Fellows, unlocking over $250,000 in micro-grants for African-owned, and led, social enterprises serving Africans. These Fellows have implemented social ventures which have positively impacted 17,208 people, including 2,361 women and girls impacted by empowerment initiatives, and 770 people benefitting from skills-based training. Additionally, Fellows have hired 132 paid employees and supported 390 people to generate a sustainable income through self-employment. This grant will provide support for almost 100 more young leaders to become Resolution Fellows over the coming years, ensuring that the long-term ripple effect of community-led, positive impact continues to grow.
“We are so grateful to The Mastercard Foundation and its Scholars Program for its generous support of our mission and for investing in youth leadership. Over the last few months, we have seen our Fellows step up and bring relief to their communities under the most trying circumstances. It is our responsibility to support them in this mission and to ensure they continue to flourish as leaders and as catalysts for change. The expansion of both our programming and relief fund through this critical support will allow us to do just that,” said George M. Tsiatis, CEO and Co-Founder of The Resolution Project.
“The idea of Giving Back to serve your community is an important aspect of the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program, and we know that so many young leaders want the opportunity to start having an impact now,” explains Ashley Collier, Lead of North American Partner Network. “The Social Venture Challenge equips these young leaders with the tools, networks, mentorship, and capital they need to ensure that their venture is successful, and to maximize their impact.”
ABOUT THE RESOLUTION PROJECT
The Resolution Project is a unique pathway to action for aspiring young leaders committed to changing the world. Founded in 2007, Resolution identifies, equips, and empowers promising young leaders with the support, skills, and funding they need to make a positive impact today. Resolution discovers young social entrepreneurs through Social Venture Challenges held at undergraduate youth conferences around the world, such as the Youth Assembly at the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative University, and others. Resolution enables the winners of its competitions to make a positive impact through Resolution Fellowships, which include dynamic, hands-on support, mentorship, and grants to implement their social ventures. Over 520 Resolution Fellows, in 80 countries on all six inhabited continents (including all across the United States) are working on over 320 social ventures in high-impact fields such as water, food, sustainable development, education, energy and the environment, equality and empowerment, health and wellness, and humanitarian relief. Their efforts have benefitted 2.7 million people and counting. Supporting our Fellows are over 500 volunteers, a dedicated staff, and dozens of partners from the public and private sectors. Together, we are building a generation of leaders with a commitment to social responsibility.
ABOUT MASTERCARD FOUNDATION
The Mastercard Foundation works with visionary organizations to enable young people in Africa and Indigenous communities in Canada to access dignified and fulfilling work. It is one of the largest, private foundations in the world with a mission to advance learning and promote financial inclusion to create an inclusive and equitable world. The Foundation was created by Mastercard in 2006 as an independent organization with its own Board of Directors and management. For more information on the Foundation, please visit: www.mastercardfdn.org