The programme has been an integral part of ITU Telecom World events since 2011. “The Young Innovators Competition, as part of this work, looks for the best young social entrepreneurs between 18 and 30, working with specific technologies or on particular issues, with a series of challenges to be launched leading up to the ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha, Qatar this December,” read part of the invite from the organization. To see the current challenge and apply, go to:https://ideas.itu.int. Chosen by a committee of world-class experts from public, private and academic sectors, the winners will join ITU Telecom World 2014 in Doha, Qatar, for a four-day accelerator programme of pitching sessions, hands-on workshops and mentoring – plus the chance to win up to USD 10 000 in funding. The open nature of the platform lets participants and experts come together to submit, comment on and refine ideas from around the world, creating a space for an innovative community. This year, certain challenges will be “Co-creation Challenges” where innovators are asked to collaborate on the concept for a startup, building something totally new on the crowdsourcing platform.

ITU Young Innovators Programme on  calls for applications - 69