Under the Starry Sky
A unique opportunity for young people with innovative ideas to receive high-quality training on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and project management, and then develop and implement a project throughout the year.
A unique opportunity for young people with innovative ideas to receive high-quality training on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and project management, and then develop and implement a project throughout the year.
SpareBank 1 SMN is a regional Norwegian financial services group, part of the SpareBank 1-Alliance. The bank’s commitment to making a positive impact on society and the environment is evident, and the bank supports various community development initiatives in Mid-Norway.
This year the bank is celebrating its 200 years anniversary. Moving towards the future, the bank wanted to team up with young people from all over the world and create young drivers for sustainability. This was the vision, and the result is the Youth Action Program “Under the starry sky”, formed and managed in a close partnership with WFUNA
Under the Starry Sky kicked off with a 4-day online training. To accommodate different time zones, participants had a choice between two sessions, which were held from 19 to 22 January (8am-4pm CET) and from 26 to 29 January (4pm-12am CET) respectively.
With the training, participants are working on their consolidated project proposals and submitting them to WFUNA and SpareBank for review. Based on their project pitches, half of the participants will be selected to implement their project from 6 March to late July 2023, with support and guidance from WFUNA.
The participants are currently working on their project implementation. Throughout this implementation phase, they are facing challenges, overcoming obstacles, and showcasing their remarkable creativity and problem-solving skills. The Under the Starry Sky program is providing them with resources, mentorship, and a supportive community to ensure their success.
As a final highlight of the program, participants will embark on a ship expedition along the Norwegian coast from 6-14 September 2023.
Participants will board the Statsraad Lehmkuhl for a wonderful, unique and impressive experience. The ship will depart from Ålesund and sail to Molde, Rørvik and Verdal before stopping in Trondheim. Participants will follow a well-defined program on board and in each port, with the opportunity to meet local youth and businesses along the way.