Youth and Climate Entrepreneurship Exchange in Austria

Deadline: 30-Jun-22

The U.S. Embassy Vienna of the U.S. Department of State announces an open competition for organizations to submit applications to carry out a program to promote and foster entrepreneurship among Austrian young people.

As collaboration between Austria and the United States has the potential to transform the way their nations adapt to their changing climate, how they produce and use energy, and how they turn climate challenges into opportunities, U.S. Embassy Vienna invite proposals for a Youth and Climate Entrepreneurship Exchange to be carried out between July and September 2023.

Program Objectives

This exchange will focus on entrepreneurship and innovation in the climate change sphere, including renewable energy; energy efficiency and sustainability; environmental engineering; climate adaptation; resilient and clean technologies; carbon reduction; food production; design; or other innovative fields addressing climate challenges today and in the future. The goal is to provide university students, business start-up leaders, and founders between 20 and 25 residing permanently in Austria with intensive, hands-on entrepreneurship education and leadership development training, as well as a greater understanding of U.S-Austrian collaboration on business-focused climate change solutions.
Entrepreneurs help countries respond to specific problems, demands, or gaps in the market by identifying and pursuing new business opportunities; entrepreneurs and startups generate economic value, create jobs, and accelerate development, while often delivering social and environmental benefits for the customers and communities they serve. As such, this program should give participants first-hand and theoretical knowledge of founding, financing, and growing a startup in climate change-focused sectors, as well as how to maintain momentum and spur additional growth through programming, promotion, and networking opportunities.
This program, which would take place between July and September 2023, should highlight the U.S. entrepreneurial ecosystem of a particular U.S. city or region that excels in climate change entrepreneurship. The program should include an in-person component in the United States that will expose participants to American culture, values, and business practices and highlight the United States as a destination for future business partnerships, investment, and ongoing education.

Funding Information

Length of performance period: 12 to 24 months
Number of awards anticipated: 1 award
Award amounts: awards may range from a minimum of $180,000 to a maximum of $225,000 (pending availability of funds)
Total available funding: $225,000 (pending availability of funds)

Participants and Audiences: Target audience and participants are students, business start-up leaders, and founders between 18 and 29 residing permanently in Austria, including aspiring entrepreneurs or youth actively engaged in a start-up.

Priority Region: None