Home / Youth Innovation Programme
Youth Innovation Programme
Mentorship, funding, a yearly competition and practical support for young people with an idea that can change mining and its communities. New intake every quarter.
What the programme gives you
Four kinds of support
Mentorship
An experienced mentor walks with you from the first idea to a working business.
Funding
Access to the Youth Innovation Fund for the best projects, kept separate from the main Opportunity Ledger.
A yearly competition
Present your idea, win support and get seen by mining houses, funders and partners.
Practical support
Workshops, tools and help with the paperwork, so a good idea is not lost to red tape.
Your journey
From an idea to a business that grows
A six month mentorship and incubation journey, one stage at a time.
Ideas and brainstorming
Find the problem worth solving and shape your idea.
Business development and compliance
Build the business case and get registered and compliant.
Launch support
Test, pilot and launch with the right partners around you.
Scaling and funding
Grow, and get in front of the funders who can take you further.
Who can apply
Four categories, from Grade 10 to age 35
Choose the category that fits you. It is the first question on the application.
Apply
Tell us about the problem you see and the idea you have.
Selection
Applications are reviewed each quarter. Not every application is selected.
Mentorship
Six months with a mentor to turn the idea into a prototype or business plan.
Funding route
Eligible initiatives can be considered for the Youth Innovation Fund. Funding is not automatic.
Application
Apply to the programme
It takes about 20 minutes. Short, honest answers are best.
Application received
Thank you. Your application is in.
We review applications each quarter and will contact you by email. Not every application is selected, and selection does not guarantee funding.
Back to Skills and Development