GoMakeADifference

Are you a UWC student, passionate about an issue somewhere in the world where you want to make a difference – but you don't have the money to make it happen?

GoMakeADifference is a grant scheme available to UWC students only. Apply today for an opportunity to be awarded a grant of up to $1,000* to help you put your mission into action!  Remember closing date for 2023 applications is 31st January and your project will need to have been shared with your local GoMakeADifference co-ordinator at your UWC College/School before then.

During the current world COVID-19 Coronavirus crisis, we still very much want to support UWC students to make a difference, but it is vital students do so in a way that is completely safe to them and everyone affected by their project. Throughout 2020-2022, in true UWC spirit, we were pleased to a number of projects went ahead, where students were able to adapt their plans to make a difference safely, even during such difficult and unprecedented times.

We hope that during 2023 UWC students can make a difference, in a safe manner with no risk to anyone.

*$1000 has traditionally been the maximum amount of the award, but additional funding may be possible if you can demonstrate why your project may benefit from additional funding.

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Who we are

GoMakeADifference was established in 2001 by Colin Habgood and Jill Longson to provide grants to UWC Atlantic College students. The concept was to allow students an opportunity to make a difference and put into practice the ideals of UWC.

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Grant Process

If you have an idea which could help foster peace and a sustainable future by uniting peoples, nations and cultures, then apply for a GoMakeADifference grant. Grants are available to UWC students only.

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Projects Awarded

GoMakeADifference has awarded grants to students from various UWC Schools and Colleges, resulting in over 50 projects being delivered across 40 countries throughout five regions including Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas & the Middle East.

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Criteria

There will be 30 awards/grants per year of $1,000 now being made available to successful students.

Grants will be given to projects that demonstrate that they can make a difference.

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Be original! Originality is one way of challenging yourself. Do something you haven't done before.

Applications for 2023 awards are now OPEN.

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Do you want to live the UWC ideal after you graduate, but don't have the money to do it?

GoMakeADifference – helping UWC people make a difference!

Are you passionate about an issue somewhere in the world where you want to make a difference – but you don’t have the money to make it happen?

GoMakeADifference was initially created by Colin Habgood and Jill Longson (AC81) in 2001, to provide grants to UWC Atlantic College students. Since then, GoMakeADifference has awarded grants to students from most UWC Schools and Colleges, resulting in over 50 projects being delivered across 40 countries throughout five continents including Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America.

This simple concept, has helped around 500 participants to successfully deliver GoMakeADifference projects with thousands of people benefiting around the world. The results and reports from previous projects are a testament to the success of GoMakeADifference, its participants and the values of UWC.

We hope and expect that every UWC student wants to make a difference – it’s the essence of the UWC ideal of ‘making education a force for peace and sustainability’. GoMakeADifference provides students with the opportunity to put their energy and idealism into practice.

GoMakeADifference has helped students make a difference to worthy local and global causes, allowing them the opportunity to live the UWC mission. Feel inspired and read the pages from previous GoMakeADifference award-winners and see how they have helped make a difference.

What are you waiting for?

If you have an idea which could help foster peace and a sustainable future by uniting peoples, nations and cultures then apply for a GoMakeADifference grant. In 2016, grants were for the first time rolled out to all UWC schools and colleges. 30 grants were awarded generally of $1,000 per project.

Testimonials

If it was not for the GoMakeADifference empowerment, I don’t think I would have realised how grave the poverty, healthcare and environmental issues are in my country. As I still embark on my academic pursuits, I have been shaped partly by my UWC Atlantic College experience and re-shaped by the problems that my country faces. The 5 weeks spent in Kenya and Uganda were eye opening to me... I have been shaped by my UWC AC experience.

— Kenya and Uganda Summer Project, 2001