The desire to change the world is often called a lofty, even impossible, goal, especially for young people who are too often disregarded in social and political spaces. But that hasn’t stopped many young people from trying — and succeeding. Following in the footsteps of youth activists like the Greensboro Four, Greta Thunberg, Malala Yousafzai, and Marley Dias, teens from all over the world continue to take risks, fight back, and prove time and again that they have the power to shake the world, demanding to make it a better place for themselves and future generations. When their work and commitment to change finds investment, what they can accomplish knows little bounds.
That’s where Rise comes in: Founded in 2019, the program finds young changemakers ages 15 to 17 who are doing important work in their communities to improve the lives of others, and connects them with partners around the world who can propel the work even further.
Every year, Rise names the Rise Global Winners – teens from around the world who are doing impactful, service-driven work in their communities. An initiative of Schmidt Futures and Rhodes Trust, Rise is the anchor program of a $1 billion commitment from Eric and Wendy Schmidt to find and support global talent. Depending on need, winners can receive a four-year scholarship that covers post-secondary tuition and living expenses, access to funding a social impact project, laptops and other tech, and more.
This year, 100 teens were given the prestigious honor. They come from countries far and wide, including Kenya, Madagascar, India, and the U.S., but share a dedication to social change, and have created and lead impactful projects in their communities.
Among them is Jakub Dobosiewicz, a climate change advocate from Poland, who created Mendly, an online platform that connects customers with professionals who can repair and customize their clothing. Through Mendly, Dobosiewicz hopes to make a dent in the over-consumption that plagues…
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