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The founder of HealthCare Volunteer, Neilesh Patel, is one of 20 youngsocial entrepreneurs selected to receive a YouthActionNet(TM) Fellowship.Founded in 2001 by the International Youth Foundation (IYF) and Nokia, theYouthActionNet program was created to identify and support young socialentrepreneurs like Patel.
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Social entrepreneurs are like any entrepreneur that decides to start abusiness, but rather than build an organization that generates sales, socialentrepreneurs focus on creating initiatives for positive change in theircommunity, and the world. Nokia and IYF started YouthActionNet because justlike business entrepreneurs, social entrepreneurs need to be identified andconnected with organizations that can invest in their cause and help thembuild a movement.
"Patel was selected from hundreds of individuals from all regions of theworld who applied for the Fellowship," noted International Youth Foundation(IYF) President and CEO William S. Reese. "This is a tremendous honor forNeilesh and should serve as the starting point for him to get the attentionand resources he needs to grow his organization and further his cause."
As a newly selected Fellow, Patel will travel to Washington D.C. inNovember to receive leadership training and meet with peers from 16 differentcountries who have also been selected to receive this award. Patel will alsobe given the opportunity to share his story with representatives ofinternational development institutions.
Martin Sandelin, Vice President, CSR and Community Involvement at Nokia,said, "We congratulate all of the young people who's hard work anddetermination to make a difference in the communities in which they live havebeen recognized in these awards. Each has taken an innovative approach tomaking a connection with the people around them and creating real change,inspiring work."
Since the YouthActionNet Fellowship program was launched in January 2002,120 young social entrepreneurs have been selected from more than 3,000applications received from 60 countries. Fellows are chosen annuallyfollowing a peer review process in which previous program participants review,identify and choose the next generation of youth leaders committed to creatingbetter communities and a better world.
To learn more about YouthActionNet and this year's Fellows, includingPatel, please visit http://www.youthactionnet.org.
About YouthActionNet(TM)
Launched in 2001, YouthActionNet(TM) invests in the power and promise ofyoung people to create positive change. Through its Global Fellowship Program,customized trainings, dynamic Web site, and peer-to-peer learningopportunities, YouthActionNet(TM) offers young change makers ideas, resources,and connections to like minds around the world. For more information, pleasevisit http://www.youthactionnet.org.
About the International Youth Foundation (IYF)
The International Youth Foundation is a global non-profit organizationuniquely dedicated to preparing young people to be healthy, productive, andengaged citizens. Founded in 1990, IYF's worldwide network of partnerorganizations has grown to 70 countries, helping young people to shape theirfutures through proven programs that tie education to work, improveemployability, and enable and inspire them to play a positive role in theircommunities. IY
