NEWS

Microsoft India invites Entries for 2015 YouthSpark Challenge for Change

By VARINDIA - 2015-03-02

To create a positive social change in the communities of young people, Microsoft India has announced the call for entries for its annual YouthSpark Challenge for Change. It is a global competition that encourages young people to consider how they can use Microsoft technology and YouthSpark resources. It is an online contest, in its third year now, entries from Indian youth aged 13–25 years are invited to share their ideas for sparking change in their communities, schools, college campuses, or the world. The Challenge for Change is a part of Microsoft YouthSpark, which is Microsoft's commitment to empower young people through technology and provide opportunities in education, employment, and entrepreneurship. Submissions will be accepted online until March 25, 2015. There are two age divisions – 13–17 years, and 18–25 years. Thirty global finalists – 15 in each division, will receive a Surface Pro 3 with Office 365. Finalists will submit videos detailing their ideas, which will be shared for public voting. Ten grand prize winners, five in each division and selected by a public vote, will win $2,500 to help make their ideas a reality, a Windows Phone and the opportunity to go on an amazing service trip to Nicaragua to learn about creating change. Public voting will take place from May 7–14, and winners will be announced on May 27, 2015. Last year’s five YouthSpark Challenge for Change Grand Prize Winners went on to the Amazon jungles for a volunteer trip. Among the 5 winners was 23-year-old Sathya Subramanian from Mangalore whose project Digital Literacy Program earned him a spot among the top five winners globally.