Funding

Free

Program dates

Apr 7, 2026 – Sep 27, 2026

Entrepreneurship•Hybrid

BeChangeMaker

WorldSkills International & HP Foundation

Application Deadline

Closed · March 27, 2026

Reopens ~Mar 2027

Official Page

BeChangeMaker is a free online social-entrepreneurship training programme run by WorldSkills International and the HP Foundation, supported by partners including UNESCO-UNEVOC. Running annually since 2017, it selects 30 teams of young people worldwide who want to turn an idea addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals into a viable social venture. From April to September, teams work through HP LIFE online business courses, receive dedicated coaching and mentoring, and connect with a global network of potential supporters and investors. The 2026 edition — the programme's tenth — culminated in a final pitch event at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, where the top five teams compete for cash prizes. Applications for the 2026 cycle closed on 27 March 2026; the programme recurs annually.

Benefits & funding

  • Free to participate — no programme fees.
  • Access to HP LIFE learning content: 30 free online courses in 7 languages for entrepreneurs.
  • Dedicated coaching and mentoring throughout the six-month programme.
  • Connections to a global network of potential supporters and investors.
  • The top five teams present at the final pitch event (2026: at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, 22–27 September) and compete for cash prizes (amounts not disclosed).
  • No stipend or travel funding is stated — this is a training and acceleration programme, not a funded fellowship.

Eligibility

  • Open worldwide — no nationality or residency restriction is stated.
  • All team members must be between 18 and 35 years old.
  • Apply as a team of 2 to 5 people with a designated team leader.
  • The venture idea must address a social or environmental challenge linked to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
  • All team members must read the Official Rules and create HP LIFE accounts before submission.
  • No degree requirement is stated.

Can you apply?

Worth a closer look

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  • Age requirement

    18–35 yrs

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Application process

  1. 1
    Form a team of 2–5 people aged 18–35 and choose a team leader.
  2. 2
    Create a one-minute video introducing your team and the social challenge you want to address; upload it to YouTube as an unlisted video.
  3. 3
    Ensure every team member has read the Official Rules and created an HP LIFE account.
  4. 4
    The team leader completes and submits the application form on the BeChangeMaker website by the deadline (27 March for the 2026 edition).
  5. 5
    The 30 selected teams are announced (1 April 2026) and the programme kicks off shortly after (7 April 2026).

Program timeline

  1. Applications open

    23 February 2026

  2. Application deadline

    27 March 2026

  3. 30 selected teams announced

    1 April 2026

  4. Programme kick-off

    7 April 2026

  5. 22–27 September 2026

    Final pitch at WorldSkills Shanghai 2026 (top five teams)