At UpstartED, we believe that changemaking is a powerful vehicle for unleashing a young individual's potential, especially when that change starts from within and moves outwards. Our Changemaker Framework (see below) is at the heart of all the programs we design. By enabling young people to go through the changemaking cycle (i.e. understanding a problem, designing a solution and taking action, and finally reflecting on one's impact), we support them in developing their sense of identity, belonging and agency.
Our Framework
We believe changemaking starts from within and moves outwards.
When we launched UpstartED in 2016, we offered programs that introduced young people to the skills and opportunities available at the intersection of entrepreneurship and technology. After 6 years of working with thousands of youth, community members, and the educators who serve them, we have internalized a fundamental truth: we cannot build entrepreneurial, digitally-empowered, workforce-ready and civically engaged individuals without first developing their sense of identity, belonging and agency. This is why we developed our Changemaker Framework.
Changemaking is a powerful vehicle for unleashing a young individual's potential, especially when that change starts from within and moves outwards. By enabling young people to go through our changemaking cycle (i.e. understanding a problem, designing a solution and taking action, and finally, reflecting on one's impact), we equip youth with a sense of identity, belonging and agency that enables their success as citizens and social innovators.
How do we define Identity, Belonging and Agency?
Considering the varying definitions and interpretations of Identity, Belonging and Agency across both Western and non-Western worldviews, we have been working with our educators, youth, families, knowledge keepers and elders in order to identify the skills, knowledge and mindsets below. It is important to acknowledge that our own understanding, representation, and measurement of these constructs are constantly evolving. What matters the most to us is that we remain both evidence-informed and community-driven in order to balance "WEIRD" (Western, educated, industrialized, rich and democratic) research with the wisdom and experience of the diverse individuals we serve.
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