Youth Co:Lab Malaysia 2021 Registration

October 29, 2021

Are you a youth aged 15-35 in Malaysia wanting to make an impact in your community?

Since 2018, Youth Co:Lab Malaysia continues to provide a platform for knowledge exchange and capacity development training for youth in the startup and social entrepreneurship scene in Malaysia. Co-led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Citi Foundation in partnership with UNICEF Malaysia and Generation Unlimited, Youth Co:Lab Malaysia aims to instigate, catalyze, and sustain youth innovation by supporting youth-led start-ups and social enterprises.

With UNDP’s commitment to leave no one behind, ensuring sustainability, and upholding human rights, themes for the initiatives are centred around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year Youth Co:Lab Malaysia is looking to tackle issues around Green Recovery and Environmental Health, Women and Girls’ Economic Empowerment, and Post COVID-19 Recovery.

Young people (aged 15 to 35) will have the opportunity to turn their ideas into reality through curated workshops, guidance from experienced industry professionals and stand a chance to win a cash prize of up to RM 40,000. Terms and conditions apply.

This year the programme is structured around an Ideation Track and a Growth Track, both open to young people from 15-35 years old. The Ideation Track supports youth to generate ideas and develop entrepreneurial skills. The Growth Track supports youth with a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) to gain traction in the market.

Track 1 | Ideation

Participants with an idea and no business yet.

Track 2 | Growth

Participants have a Minimum Viable Product (MVP) and are in operations at least 6 months.

The virtual programme for the Ideation Track will take place in November through December 2021, covering the following:

13 - 19 November : Ideation Week
20 November: Idea submission deadline
24 November: Announcement of Top 25 ideas
25 November - 6 December: Incubation Phase (Top 25 ideas)
7 - 10 December: Pre-selection phase
17 & 18 December: National Dialogue (Top 10 Finale Pitch)

Ideation Track Prize breakdown:

1st place: RM5,000
2nd place: RM3,000
3rd place: RM2,000

The virtual programme for the Growth Track will take place in November through December 2021, covering the following:

Note: Upon submitting your registration as a Growth Track participant, the organisers will review and assess your startup, in order to qualify you for the Incubation phase.

20 November: Deadline of registration submission
22 November: Announcement of Top 25 Growth Track Startups
25 November – 6 December: Incubation phase (Top 25 Startups)
7 – 10 December: Pre-selection phase
17 – 18 December: National Dialogue (Top 10 Finale Pitch)

Growth Track Prize breakdown:

1st place: RM15,000
2nd place: RM10,000
3rd place: RM5,000

The young entrepreneurs that get selected to showcase their ideas at the National Dialogue will also be able to participate in the Regional Youth:Co Lab Springboard programme 2022. The winning teams will have the opportunity to represent Malaysia in the annual Youth Co:Lab Summit in 2022.

If you have any questions regarding Youth Co:Lab Malaysia 2021, feel free to Whatsapp the organiser https://www.bit.ly/brianlawcs or email them at youthcolab@studyhub.asia.

About Youth Co:Lab

Co-created in 2017 by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Citi Foundation, Youth Co:Lab aims to establish a common agenda for countries in the Asia-Pacific region to empower and invest in youth, so that they can accelerate the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through leadership, social innovation and entrepreneurship.

About Citi

Citi, the leading global bank, has approximately 200 million customer accounts and does business in more than 160 countries and jurisdictions. Citi provides consumers, corporations, governments and institutions with a broad range of financial products and services, including consumer banking and credit, corporate and investment banking, securities brokerage, transaction services, and wealth management.

About Citi Foundation

The Citi Foundation works to promote economic progress and improve the lives of people in low-income communities around the world. We invest in efforts that increase financial inclusion, catalyze job opportunities for youth, and reimagine approaches to building economically vibrant communities. The Citi Foundation's "More than Philanthropy" approach leverages the enormous expertise of Citi and its people to fulfill our mission and drive thought leadership and innovation. For more information, visit www.citifoundation.com.

About UNDP

UNDP is the leading United Nations organization fighting to end the injustice of poverty, inequality, and climate change. Working with our broad network of experts and partners in 170 countries, we help nations to build integrated, lasting solutions for people and planet.

About UNICEF

UNICEF is an international inter-governmental organization delivering programmes in Malaysia which promotes the rights and wellbeing of every child and adolescent. Together with the Malaysian government and other partners who are truly passionate about child rights, UNICEF works in Malaysia to ensure every child has the opportunity to grow healthy and happy; live safely; and achieve their full potential. Alongside our partners, we work in 190 countries and territories to translate that commitment into practical action, focusing special effort on reaching the most vulnerable and excluded children, to the benefit of all children, everywhere. For more information, visit UNICEF Malaysia.

About Generation Unlimited

Generation Unlimited (GenU), a global multi-sectoral partnership initiative, aims to operationalize the vision of the UN Youth Strategy, in areas of youth engagement, participation and advocacy; supporting young people’s greater access to quality education and skills development; and economic empowerment through entrepreneurship and employment. Generation Unlimited ensures that opportunities for young people will continue to expand and accelerate so that young people can be productive problem-solvers and engaged members of society. To find out more, visit Generation | Unlimited