Mastercard, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sustainable Development of Bahrain, has launched the Mastercard Challenge on Financial Inclusion for the SDGs. The competition, themed ‘Solving for the Future,’ aims to harness the creativity of Bahrain’s university students to propose innovative solutions that accelerate progress on the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) through financial inclusion.
Financial inclusion plays a crucial role in achieving various SDGs, such as improving health, promoting gender equality, fostering economic growth, and supporting job creation. Recognizing the potential of youth in global development, the competition seeks to leverage the talent of Bahraini students to address pressing challenges across all 17 SDGs.
The collaboration with the Ministry of Sustainable Development underscores Bahrain’s commitment to advancing the SDGs through partnerships with the private sector. It also aligns with Mastercard’s goal of bringing one billion people and 50 million micro, small, and medium enterprises into the digital economy by 2025.
Participants in the Mastercard Challenge will explore real-life challenges related to the SDGs in sectors like education, healthcare, climate, and business. The competition winners will receive valuable opportunities, including complimentary enrollment in the Mastercard Academy, a visit to the Mastercard EEMEA HQ, and a paid internship at BENEFIT to develop and scale their solutions.
The Mastercard Challenge is open to all undergraduate and postgraduate university students in Bahrain, with a deadline for applications set for July 31. Successful applicants will have the chance to attend an intensive mentorship summer boot camp in August, culminating in a final pitch at the Fintech Forward 2024 conference in October.
Overall, the Mastercard Challenge on Financial Inclusion for the SDGs presents a unique opportunity for Bahrain’s youth to drive impactful change, develop innovative solutions, and contribute to building a more sustainable future. Interested participants can learn more and apply on the BENEFIT website.
