Application Deadline: June 3, 2022
Register now for the 9th edition of the New Business Challenge (NBC). The NBC consists of a summer school and expedition trip for young Ghanaians and Netherland students.
The New Business Challenge is a unique international Expedition Program where Dutch and Ghanaian students & young professionals explore the business relationship and opportunities between the two countries. This challenge is all about learning, exploring and innovating to improve the international business skills of the participating students & young professionals and to arrive at innovative business solutions for Dutch and Ghanaian companies.
The challenge exists of a Summer School and Expedition Trips to The Netherlands and Ghana.
Requirements
The NBC is open to Dutch and Ghanaian residents with the following requirements:
- Holding a valid Dutch or Ghanaian passport (which has to be valid at least 6 months before traveling to Ghana or The Netherlands).
- Covid-19 vaccinated (this is required to travel into The Netherlands and into Ghana)
- Studying at a university (or HBO) or graduated for the maximum of 3 years;
- A specific study background is not required as long as you are an entrepreneurial and an open minded candidate who can think independently and is motivated to explore business opportunities between The Netherlands and Ghana and might be interested in a career with an international component;
- Not older than 28 years of age.
Summer School
15 – 19 August 2022
The Summer School is a 5 day program and takes place simultaneously in each country for 24 selected students & young professionals. The Summer School is all about learning in an interactive way about the business relationship between The Netherlands and Ghana, the existing policy programs and how business is being done between the two countries. The program is a combination of on location and online elements. You will participate in lectures of experts, meet entrepreneurs, go on a company visit and collaborate online in intercultural teams to work on a real-life business case and familiarize yourself with the (work) culture of the other country. Experienced trainers will facilitate the program.
Expedition Trip NL
21 – 30 October 2022
Students & young professionals that participated in the Summer School in August 2022 can indicate that they want to join the Expedition Trips and apply for their placement in the Expeditions. Only 8 participants from each country will be selected to join the Expedition trips. In October of 2022, the 16 participants will meet in The Netherlands for the Expedition Trip NL. The Expedition Trip is all about exploring and innovating. Participants will go on 2 physical company visits and meet Dutch entrepreneurs that are doing business with Ghana. Participants will explore the business opportunities from the Dutch perspective and brainstorm in intercultural teams about innovative business solutions. A Dutch and a Ghanaian coach will jointly provide training and coaching.
Expedition Trip Ghana
10 – 19 October 2022
In October 2022, the 16 participants meet again, but now in Ghana for the Expedition Trip. Participants will go on 3 physical company visits and meet Ghanaian entrepreneurs that have a connection with The Netherlands. During the trip, you will explore the business opportunities from the Ghanaian perspective and brainstorm in intercultural teams about innovative business solutions. Participants will build on the skills and knowledge that they’ve acquired during the Summer School and the Expedition Trip NL. At the end of this Expedition Trip, the participants will present their solutions at an event at the Netherlands Ambassador’s Residence in Accra. A Dutch and a Ghanaian coach will jointly provide coaching and guidance to the participants.
Benefits
If you are selected for the Summer School, your accommodation costs are fully covered during the Summer School. And once you are selected to participate in the Expedition Trips, your travel- and accommodation costs are fully covered during the Expedition Trips.
Please note:
- During the Summer School in Ghana all participants stay over at the same accommodation for the whole period of the Summer School (5 nights)
- During the Expedition Trips all participants stay over at the same accommodation for the whole period of the study trip (9 nights each trip)
If you participate in the Summer School, you have the chance to go on two unforgettable Expedition Trips in the Netherlands and Ghana full of meetings, cultural exchange, field trips, sightseeing and of course fun!
The NBC 2022 exists of a Summer School and two Expedition Trips. In order for students and young professionals to participate, they have to be available and present at all days. The important dates are:
- 15 – 19 August 2022: Summer School, Ghana and The Netherlands (5 days)
- 7 October 2022 : Preparation workshop, Ghana and The Netherlands (1 day)
- 21 – 30 October 2022: Expedition Trip, The Netherlands (9 days)
- 10 – 19 October 2022: Expedition Trip, Ghana (10 days)
For More Information:
Visit the Official Webpage of the New Business Challenge 2022