The independent challenge will see you support an organisation and take positive action. Through the catalyst course, you will have identified what you are passionate about. We want you to let your passions guide you and learn more about organisations that work to improve the lives of people and the state of the planet.

    You have 30-days to complete your independent challenge. However, you might want to keep your challenge going after that and have even more impact! ​

    We require you to submit evidence of your work to demonstrate that you have successfully completed the challenge. The submission form will be available just over two weeks before the end of the 30-day period. The form will ask you to input information about your challenge and upload images or documents.

    To ensure you do not come across any difficulties when submitting your evidence, please read the below points carefully:

    • You must complete the form all in one go, so make sure you have read this page thoroughly and gathered your evidence before you start.
    • All evidence is submitted at the bottom of the form.
    • Ensure your files are in the correct format, if they are not you can send us files via WeTransfer.
    • Make sure you name your evidence files clearly, with your first name, Student ID number and the name of your challenge category.

    You can find our Guidance on submitting HERE

    CATALYST Submission Form ACCELERATOR Submission Form

    SUBMISSION IS NOW OPEN

    You can now submit your evidence for the completion of your phase 2 challenge(s)!

    Please click on the button below to be re-directed to the submission guidance page and the submission form.

    SUBMISSION GUIDANCE & FORM

    People, Planet, Place

    Make sure to keep in mind the key concepts of – People, Planet and Place – to help you identify the end goal of your challenge.

    EXAMPLE: If you decide to support a local organisation, ask yourself… Does it work to improve the lives of people? Or does it focus on the helping the planet? 

    • People: Connect and support; learn to listen and amplify your own and other peoples’ voices. Learn about yourself and how to relate to others.
    • Planet: Learn how to care for the earth and really focus on global issues that are impacting negatively on our world. Brainstorm, model and create innovative solutions to global problems.
    • Place: Take local place-based action!

    Check out the resources section below to find out more about ways to support people and the planet.

    United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

    You should also think about the United Nations’ SDGs when planning your challenge. On the catalyst course, which SDGs did you decide were most important to you? Do you know any organisation that focus on this goal? 

    SPRING into Action

    Use the SPRING ladder framework to help you brainstorm your ideas and select a challenge which will have the best possible outcome for the organisation you will be supporting.

    SHARING: How can other people support your challenge? What action can you get others to take?

    POWER: What will be the impact of your action? How will you know it has been achieved?

    REALISTIC: How long will your challenge take? What resources do you need? Who do you need to help you?

    INSPIRATIONAL: What will impress people about what you are doing? Which aspect will make them want to get involved, or appreciate the effort you are putting in?

    NOTICE: How can you get other people to notice what you are doing?

    GOAL: What do you aim to achieve through your challenge?

    Take it to… THE NEXT LEVEL

    With the actions that you take, you can encourage others to get involved too! Study the Four Levels of Action below and ask yourself… which level is my challenge at? How could I move it to another level?

    Images adapted from World’s Largest Lesson

    You should now have identified your passion, the issue you’d like to address, and the end goal of your challenge. It’s time to get started and decide how your goal will be met! Will you pledge… publish… or power? 

    EXPLORE

    People, Planet, Place

    Explore issues through independent​ study about local, national and global organisations that work to improve lives and/or the planet

    ENGAGE

    Pledge, Publish or Power

    Pledge, Publish or Power an organisation of your choice. See details below!

    EVIDENCE

    Submission

    Submit evidence of what you have done

    PLEDGE

    Raise funds for a charity or organisation of your choice

    PUBLISH

    Create a blog, a short report (2 pages), a poster or a 3-minute digital submission to raise awareness about the cause

    POWER

    Support a campaign that the charity/organisation is running already or start a campaign to build more support for their work

    An offline PDF challenge guide is available for you to use and download. Please click on the button below to view! ​

    DOWNLOAD THE GSL CHALLENGE GUIDE

    Take a look at some examples of previous challenges young people have completed to help guide and inspire you on our challenger resource page.

    CHALLENGER RESOURCE PAGE

    You will need to submit evidence of your work by your Submission deadline.

    The submission form will be available on this page just over two weeks before the end of the 30-day period. We will ask you to input information about your challenge and upload images or documents.

    In the meantime, take a look at our submission guidance page below.

    SUBMISSION GUIDANCE FORM
    SUBMISSION GUIDANCE PAGE

    The GSL Hive is a secure digital community for the young people participating in the GSL World Catalyst. It is an opportunity to connect with and support each other while you work on your independent challenges.

    We will be sharing lots of exciting content and keeping the conversation going by asking for your views and opinions on different discussion topics relating to the programme!

    How does it work?

    On the GSL Hive platform, you will be invited to the main GSL community and also the GSL World Catalyst group – which is where the main action will be happening.

    You will receive your invitations to the GSL Hive by email which will come from GSL Hive and not gslcatalyst@future-foundations.co.uk so keep an eye out and don’t forget to check your junk/spam folders!

    You will then be able to set up your profile and start engaging. We can’t wait to see you in the Hive.

    Your safety on our programmes is our main priority. We aim to create an inclusive, safe and enjoyable experience for young people engaging in the community so please make sure you have read and understand the information in the documents below.

    GSL HIVE CODE OF CONDUCT
    GSL HIVE STAYING SAFE ONLINE

    People | Things to Read

    THE GOATS OF ANARCHY

    A story based on the global goal of reducing inequalities

    RISE OF THE PLATE PIONEER

    A new comic from Scott Cohn and Joe Reiter in which 2 heroes fight to protect humanity against unhealthy eating and the aliens that feed on saturated fats, starches and sugars

    THE SISTER’S MIND CONNECTION

     Inspired by her experiences with her sister Daniela, who has autism and Down Syndrome, Allison Liévano makes a powerful appeal about the importance of education as a human right to ensure the dignity and inclusion of every child

    CHAKRA THE INVINCIBLE

    Join Chakra the Invincible and Mighty Girl in learning about the value of education

    People | Things to Watch

    AN INTRODUCTION TO WELLBEING, Dr Hazel Harrison

    Dr Hazel Harrison explores some of the key areas that may enhance our mental health and enable us to thrive

    CONNECTED DEVELOPMENT, Hamzat Bala Lawal

    In this video Hamzy speaks of his own journey into movement building and how young people can mobilise youth in their own communities to action

    HOW TO BUILD YOUR COMMUNITY AND DEVELOP A SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLKIT FOR FREE, Michael Fox, Tz Rising & Tushar Menon, TSM Creative Limited

    BLACK LIVES MATTER, Panel hosted by Owen Bailey

    MAKING THE LOCAL GLOBAL, Shona McCarthy, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society

    Hear Shona’s story about the road to becoming the Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society – the world’s largest comedy festival

    Planet | Things to Read

    CHAKRA THE INVINCIBLE

    Fights Climate Change

    THE COSMIC CLIMATE INVENTION

    While the Eco-Inventor Boy’s inventions make a significant contribution to help reduce CO2 and greenhouse gasses, Jona brilliantly reminds his readers that we cannot simply rely on scientists and inventions to save our earth

    THE POSEIDON PATROL

    A fun comic to support the United Nations SDG 14 and the need to reduce plastic in our oceans

    WILD FOR LIFE

    A comic focusing on the Global Goals of Life Above Water and Life Below Water

    Planet | Things to Watch

    AT THE CENTRE OF LIVING IN HARMONY WITH NATURE: INDIGENOUS PEOPLES, WOMEN, AND YOUTH, Josefa Cariño Tauli

    Josefa explores the important contributions of indigenous peoples, women and youth in achieving a future in harmony with nature

    A GREEN RECOVERY: PAYING BACK OUR DEBT TO THE PLANET, Noga Levy-Rapoport, UK Student Climate Network

    Noga discusses the systemic origins of the climate crisis and how this lays out a green path to rebuild fairly amid the global crises of both climate change and coronavirus

    THREE SMALL ROBOTS AND THEIR DREAM TO SAVE THE WORLD, Ben Scott Robinson, Small Robot Company

    Find out how the Small Robot Company use robotics and artificial intelligence to make farming sustainable

    The World’s Largest Lesson | Things to Watch

    Actress Emma Watson introducing The Worlds Largest Lesson

    Malala introducing The Worlds Largest Lesson

    Getting started to make a change…

    The World’s Largest Lesson | Things to Do

    Global Goal Glasses
    Global Goals Wall Grid
    Global Goal Passport
    Global Goal Paper Chain

    Thank you to the World’s Largest Lesson for supporting this programme with their curriculum resources

    Global Social Leaders | Inspiring Speakers from Previous Programmes

    LEADERSHIP FOUNDATIONS, Jonathan Harper

    THE NEED FOR CHANGE, Janvi Patel

    GOOD TO GREAT, Katy Granville-Chapman & Emmie Bidston

    PLAN TO ACTION, Vicky Carter

    COMMITTING TO ACTION, Cherry Sung

    Global Social Leaders | Things to Watch & Read

    Project Examples
    Images & Links
    Videos

    FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA

    Follow us on social media to be inspired by the GSL projects around the world, receive daily updates and inspirational posts on your timeline!

    INSTAGRAM
    FACEBOOK
    TWITTER
    LINKEDIN

    Frequently Asked Questions

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    GSL World Catalyst

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    What are the live online sessions?

    As part of the programme, you will have live online sessions lead by a GSL facilitator, and with other participants joining from different countries. Please be aware that we will be using Zoom for live online sessions.

    You will have been allocated one of the below session times for the three-days:

    10.00 – 13.45 (CET) / 09.00 -12.45 (BST).

    Please make sure you attend the full slot we have allocated – just in case we have to change the start slightly. 

     

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    How does the programme work?

    It’s important that you know what you are signing up to take part in!

    This programme involves live online interactive sessions lead by a GSL coach (this is the Catalyst course). You will be able to use your camera and microphone to engage with your coach and students.

    The course is followed by an independent social challenge of your choice. You will be supported to complete your challenge over a period of 30-days. 

    There are no tests to complete the programme (phew!) or to participate in the programme. You will through have all the content in English.  

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    Do I have to participate in the discussions?

    In order to gain the most of your online learning experience, we recommend you participate in the discussions. Please if possible have your camera and microphone switched on when you go to breakout rooms. Our facilitators will tell you when to get ready for discussions. Please note, some of the sessions will be focused on how to launch and develop successful projects; gaining greater impact in your community; and topical debates which will help with your communication and persuasive skills. There will be other topics of discussion based on the requests we receive, for example an informal forum may be set up to for participants to connect with their global peers and exchange shared interests around similar SDG goals and community projects they are currently involved with. 

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    What happens if I am worried about speaking English?

    The programme is all in English, and we do not provide translations of the materials.  Hopefully in the future we will be able to release a programme that is suitable for a variety of levels of English. 

    We would suggest that you need to have a CEFR level (Common European Framework of Reference) of B2 or above (C1/ C2) to join this programme. 

    We do not ask you to do a test to show your level, so please be aware that this is important you are sure you are happy!  If you are concerned about this, please get in touch with our team before you register. 

    There are some free online tests if you want to check your level. 

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    What if I miss some of the online sessions?

    We will not record sessions as a default as the live sessions are made to be interactive and involve all participants. 
    In exceptional circumstances, we can discuss the possibility of recording a live session depending on the content and gaining additional consent from parents. Please note, we will need adequate notice if you need to miss an online session.

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    What materials are provided? What do I need to bring?

    All materials will be accessible on the online learning platform. As such, you will need access to the internet as well as a webcam for live sessions. Please note, these materials must not be shared with your friends, classmates and teachers.

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    An offline PDF changemaker pack is available for you to use and download. Please click on the button below to view! ​

    DOWNLOAD THE GSL PLAYFUL LEARNING CHANGEMAKER PACK

    You will need to submit evidence of your work by your submission deadline.

    The submission form will be available on this page just over two weeks before the end of the 30-day period. We will ask you to input information about your challenge and upload images or documents.

    In the meantime, take a look at our submission guidance page below.

    SUBMISSION GUIDANCE FORM
    SUBMISSION GUIDANCE PAGE

    Playful Learning Introduction Video & Masterclass

    United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals

    You should also think about the United Nations’ SDGs when planning your challenge. On the catalyst course, which SDGs did you decide were most important to you? Do you know any organisation that focus on this goal? 

    SPRING into Action

    Use the SPRING ladder framework to help you brainstorm your ideas and select a challenge which will have the best possible outcome for the organisation you will be supporting.

    SHARING: How can other people support your challenge? What action can you get others to take?

    POWER: What will be the impact of your action? How will you know it has been achieved?

    REALISTIC: How long will your challenge take? What resources do you need? Who do you need to help you?

    INSPIRATIONAL: What will impress people about what you are doing? Which aspect will make them want to get involved, or appreciate the effort you are putting in?

    NOTICE: How can you get other people to notice what you are doing?

    GOAL: What do you aim to achieve through your challenge?

    Take it to… THE NEXT LEVEL

    With the actions that you take, you can encourage others to get involved too! Study the Four Levels of Action below and ask yourself… which level is my challenge at? How could I move it to another level?

    Images adapted from World’s Largest Lesson