35 Young Social Entrepreneurs in Mexico, Spain, Turkey Join IYF’s YouthActionNet® Global Network

At a festive ceremony held at the Museo de Arte Popular, 15 young social innovators in Mexico were honored with the Premio UVM por el Desarrollo Social (UVM Prize for Social Development). Over the past five years, 75 young visionaries across the country have received the UVM Prize.

Carried out by Universidad del Valle de Mexico (UVM) with support from the Sylvan/Laureate Foundation and the International Youth Foundation (IYF) through its YouthActionNet® program, the Prize includes a monetary award, training, and networking opportunities.

Meanwhile, earlier in the month, the first ten recipients of the BILGI Young Social Entrepreneur Awards (BİLGİ Genç Sosyal Girişimci Ödülleri) in Turkey were announced at a ceremony at the Pera Museum in Istanbul. Among those selected were the 25-year-old developer of a robotic device that collects waste from seawater and a 20-year-old who is promoting environmentally-friendly brick production that results in safer housing. Established as a collaborative effort of the Sylvan/Laureate Foundation, Istanbul Bilgi University, TEGV Educational Volunteers Foundation of Turkey, and IYF, the Awards identify, recognize, and support accomplished social entrepreneurs, ages 18 to 29, throughout Turkey.

And in Spain on February 9th, 10 young leaders were honored with the Universidad Europea de Madrid (UEM) Prize for Young Social Entrepreneurs. In addition to recognition for their work, the UEM Fellows benefit from personalized learning experiences, along with a €3,000 award to their projects and on-going mentoring support.

“YouthActionNet®’s vision is fast becoming a reality,” said IYF President & CEO Bill Reese, of the program’s global expansion. “Thanks to the support of the Sylvan/Laureate Foundation, we’re now seeing this pioneering program reach a critical mass. These young innovators—currently numbering 400 in 60+ countries – are now connected through a vibrant global network.”

To learn more about YouthActionNet®, please visit: www.youthactionnet.org. For further information on Laureate Education, Inc. and the Laureate International Universities network, please see: www.laureate.net.