UWC students inspire with innovative GoMakeADifference applications
This year’s GoMakeADifference scheme has again received an exceptional array of innovative project ideas from UWC students. Now in its 24th year, the initiative continues to encourage students to create meaningful change worldwide, on issues they feel passionate about.
The quality of applications was outstanding, as co-founder Jill Longson (UWCA81) noted:
“We continue to be amazed by the creativity and diversity of ideas students propose. It was particularly encouraging to see well-structured plans with clear explanations, well considered timelines, and comprehensive budgets. The applications demonstrated that UWC students had carefully planned how to implement their ideas. With 100 applications to review, selecting the recipients was no easy task! Those given grants this year should be very proud of themselves”.
Applications were assessed against the eight predetermined criteria outlined on the Go Make A Difference website, aligning with the schemes direction to support students who live the UWC mission beyond UWC campuses.
The Winners
Following a rigorous selection process, 23 grants of up to $2,000 each have been given to projects that demonstrated exceptional creativity, innovation, and originality, along with strong collaboration, well-defined plans, and ambitious execution goals.
Some of the most inspiring initiatives selected this year, for the GoMakeADifference grant scheme, include:
- Launching a youth-led effort to restore fire-damaged forests in Bhutan.
- Helping Hyderabad’s vulnerable tuk-tuk drivers to recognise and avoid online card scams.
- Developing and deploying autonomous solar-powered drones for real-time PFAS detection and treatment to water systems in Singapore.
- Producing a documentary advocating for the recognition of Islamophobia as a Penal Code crime in Italy.
- Supporting domestic violence survivors in Mexico City as they reintegrate into society.
- Empowering Laotian youth through free soft-skills workshops in rural areas.
Co-founder Colin Habgood praised the exceptional standard of applications this year, stating:
“So many ideas were innovative and impactful. I was particularly impressed by the drone initiative in Singapore, which presents an affordable solution to a global issue. Across all the winning projects, we saw themes of building peace, supporting sustainability, addressing climate change, and improving education, proof that UWC values are alive and thriving in this year’s applicants”.
While not all applications could be funded, the GoMakeADifference team hopes that the process of developing their ideas will serve as a catalyst for students to pursue their initiatives independently.
Could you be next?
Looking ahead, any IBDP UWC students who will still be in a UWC college in 2026 should feel inspired by this year’s applicants and motivated to apply next year!