The Entrepreneurship Campus offers a global community for innovation and entrepreneurship, providing a platform for individuals to develop ideas and solutions for contemporary challenges. It is designed for those looking to experiment, start new ventures, and create a tangible impact. The campus provides access to a worldwide network, valuable knowledge, and targeted networking opportunities, all free of charge. It brings together proactive individuals who aim to identify opportunities and shape the future, rather than accept the status quo.
Program Overview & Timeline
• Program Name: Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition (CEC)
• Mission: To empower entrepreneurs, particularly young individuals, to develop ideas for a more peaceful and sustainable world by contributing to one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• History: Initiated in 2013 with a focus on youth, the program was renamed from the Youth Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition in 2020 to be more inclusive. It was redesigned in 2023 and is now hosted on the new Entrepreneurship Campus.
• Target Audience: Entrepreneurs aged 13 and up are invited to submit their ideas.
• Special Recognition: The Youngstar Award is presented to an idea or project from an entrepreneur between the ages of 13 and 29.
• CEC 2026 Dates: March 2 - June 5, 2026.
Competition Structure
The competition is conducted in three distinct phases:
• Phase 1 - Idea Submission & Entrepreneurial Design: Participants submit a short pitch, which is reviewed against competition criteria. They must also complete the provided courses and fill out the Entrepreneurial Design Canvas (EDC).
• Phase 2 - Voting: All submitted ideas are published on the platform. Participants can then gather votes for their submissions while supporting other participants.
• Phase 3 - Jury Decision: The ten submissions that receive the most votes are advanced to the final round, where they are evaluated by an expert jury to select the winners.
Key Learning & Development Areas
• Sustainable & Impact-Driven Entrepreneurship: Participants learn to develop ideas that balance economic viability with social value, aligning their projects with the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals to create meaningful impact and sustainable solutions.
• Entrepreneurial Design & Business Model Development: Through the Entrepreneurial Design Canvas (EDC) and two online courses, participants are guided step-by-step to structure and refine their ideas, covering aspects from vision and feasibility to financing and long-term impact.
• Feedback, Visibility & Global Community: The program provides access to a vibrant global community for feedback, network expansion, and professional input from an international jury in the final round, enhancing project visibility and development through real-world exchange.
Community & Networking Features
• Global Community: Connect with founders worldwide by following others, sending messages, and exchanging ideas. The Member Card feature allows users to filter by region, expertise, and interests to find like-minded individuals, mentors, or partners.
• Collaborative Learning: Develop entrepreneurial designs and skills through resources, online courses, and group discussions available on the Campus.
• Networking for Projects & Collaboration: The platform facilitates collaboration on projects, idea testing, and joint initiatives. It enables users to form teams, find mentors, and build partnerships.
• Access to Experts & Resources: Networking on the campus provides direct connections to experienced founders, mentors, and professionals for valuable insights, advice, and resources.
Participation & Eligibility
• Cost: Participation in the Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition and the use of all campus materials is completely free.
• Agreement: By registering on the Entrepreneurship Campus, participants automatically agree to the platform's Community Guidelines.
• Further Information: Detailed participation criteria, information about the jury, and a list of frequently asked questions are available on the organization's platform.
Organizational Background & Partnerships
• Initiation: The CEC was launched in 2013 with support from the GOI Peace Foundation and Christian Fenner from Digital Experts United (DEU).
• Endorsement: The program is an activity within the framework of UNESCO’s Education for Sustainable Development: Towards achieving the SDGs (ESD for 2030).
• Past Collaborations: In 2019, a partnership with the University for Sustainable Development Eberswalde (HNE) introduced a special category for submissions focused on sustainable tourism.
The Citizen Entrepreneurship Competition provides a comprehensive and supportive ecosystem for aspiring and current entrepreneurs to cultivate socially conscious ideas. Through its structured competition, educational resources, and a dynamic global network, participants are equipped to design and develop ventures that address critical global challenges, fostering a new generation of leaders committed to sustainable and impactful change.