Young minds explore reality and the universe in a boundless manner. Seeking to understand things by undoing them first, and then putting them back together. Fostering creativity and intellectual freedom is critical in order for people to gain a grasp of their skills and opportunities. However, with today’s sensitive geopolitical conditions, an unstable global economy, and disruptions to everyday life, quality learning environments and opportunities are becoming limited. 

As the World Economic Forum highlights, “education is at an inflection point. The combination of the COVID-19 pandemic, increasing climate change, social unrest and geopolitical tension have forced educators to reimagine not just how learning happens, but also what children are learning to enable them to meaningfully contribute to the economies and societies of tomorrow.”

At such times, learning environments can be created alongside academic institutions with people volunteering to contribute their time and expertise towards the improvement and engagement of future generations. This is what Junior Achievement Worldwide is all about. Junior Achievement (JA), is among the world’s largest and most impactful NGOs geared towards serving the youth. The organization brings immersive learning in work readiness, financial literacy, entrepreneurship, sustainability, STEM, economics, and much more to youths.

JA reaches over 15 million young people annually, and has operated for 104 years globally. Through the help of over 200,000 volunteers across industries, as well as more than 250,000 teachers, their vision and mission reaches even places that are difficult to reach, such as countries and regions experiencing war and political instability. 

The organization has a proven track record with 150 million alumni who each have contributed to society through their own businesses, social movements, and serving as bastions of inspiration to future generations. The organization has also been nominated for the 2022 and the 2023 Nobel Peace Prize, further bolstering its impact and significance globally.

In 2013, JA arrived in Cyprus, setting up Junior Achievement Cyprus. They also launched a podcast titled JA Talks, where alumni, current participants, and volunteers are provided a platform to share their journeys with viewers, aiming to further engage with and inspire Cyprus’ youth. For those who house doubts about the existence of inspiring and out-of-the-box movements taking place across Cyprus, strap yourselves in.

In their first episode, JA Talks introduced Constantina Logotheti, the Director of Marketing and Communications at PwC Cyprus, as well as a board member and strategic partner of Junior Achievement (JA) Cyprus. Constantina shares her experiences and the transformative impact of the collaboration between PwC and Junior Achievement Cyprus.

The collaboration between PwC and Junior Achievement began a decade ago, with the aim of making a positive impact on young entrepreneurs and fostering a better future for Cyprus. At the time, startups were still misunderstood in Cyprus, but their partnership evolved to include various programs and initiatives that have contributed significantly to Cypriot society.

The partnership inspired PwC to launch the PwC Foundation, an internal initiative that divided projects and initiatives into three pillars. This foundation has been supporting the Cyprus startup ecosystem for the past ten years, making Junior Achievement and the PwC Foundation prominent for their positive impact on youth entrepreneurship in Cyprus.

Constantina emphasizes the importance of providing opportunities for children to explore entrepreneurship from a young age. By cultivating an entrepreneurial culture, Cyprus aims to foster greater innovation and entrepreneurship. The partnership between PwC and Junior Achievement plays a vital role in this mission.

To highlight the actual impact of JA Cyprus, the second half of the episode features the inspiring journey of Nutrica, a startup born out of JA Cyprus. Founders Nicholas Panteli and Nepheli Andreou, two middle school students, share their experiences of developing a plant fertilizer using bakery supplements to ensure greater safety for animals and plants.

Their journey began in middle school, where they discovered that eggs could serve as a safer fertilizer. This discovery motivated them to explore further options, leading to the development of their final product. Through marketing on social media platforms and hosting face-to-face events, they gained traction and engagement from customers.

Balancing their startup and schoolwork required meticulous organization, but Nicholas and Nepheli persevered. The valuable skills they acquired through Junior Achievement, such as problem-solving, autonomy, and public speaking, propelled them forward. The program taught them to be quick-thinking and intuitive, helping them mature and face challenges fearlessly.

The founders send a powerful message, encouraging others to work hard, strive for personal improvement, and support one another. They highlight the importance of pursuing happiness and personal growth without succumbing to the pressures of school or overthinking.

The second episode of JA Talks brings us the inspiring stories of Emily Soteriou, Kyriakos Masonou, and Eleni Apostolou, who have experienced the positive impact of Junior Achievement firsthand.

Emily and Kyriakos, staff at JA Cyprus, emphasize how Junior Achievement enables them to make a significant difference in the lives of young people. Emily witnessed the growth of Nutrica, one of the startup success stories, while Kyriakos's interest in entrepreneurship led him to join JA. Both believe that through their involvement, they are changing the world for the better and helping young individuals flourish in which they both share a sentiment of fulfillment.

Kyriakos also shared a personal favorite moment on Mind Reset, a program where youths team-up to present their businesses and products to judges. A 10 year-old participant approached Kyriakos to thank him and show his appreciation for the time Kyriakos put in to guide and teach him in his journey with Mind Reset. 

The organization provides opportunities for children, secondary school students, and even university students to develop skills and talents that may not be nurtured in traditional educational settings. By realizing their potential outside of the classroom, these young individuals gain confidence and discover alternative paths to success.

JA Cyprus, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, is fostering positive changes among youth, teachers, and schools. The organization encourages new ways of thinking and the development of essential skills, making extracurricular activities a critical component of personal growth and career exploration.

The impact of the organization extends beyond competition winners, as all participants benefit from enhanced networking opportunities, increased ambition, and a clearer vision for their future. It provides a platform for youth without traditional hobbies or extracurricular activities to build their own businesses alongside their education, offering a rewarding experience for both the participants and JA Cyprus volunteers.

The remarkable impact of JA Cyprus is best demonstrated through the development of teamwork and effective communication skills among the youth. By working collaboratively on projects, participants learn the value of cooperation and effective interaction, preparing them for future endeavors. Moreover, the program instills a sense of independence in pursuing their interests and goals, empowering them to become self-motivated and proactive individuals.

In the latter half of this episode, JA Talks introduces Eleni Apostolou, the JA Cyprus Alumni Program Manager and JA Europe Alumni Coordinator. Eleni, who graduated from the JA program in 2021, chose to stay involved due to her passion for the organization and its vision of creating positive impacts on society. As a leader of national programs, Eleni oversees initiatives such as the Leadership Award, which recognizes current participants who demonstrate exceptional leadership qualities. 

Another notable program is the Buddy Program, where JA participants have the opportunity to join existing companies, gaining firsthand experience and expanding their professional networks. This year, JA Alumni Cyprus introduced the Team Spirit award, celebrating teams that foster synergy, collaboration, and understanding.

Eleni's personal journey with the organization culminated in winning the JA Cyprus competition in 2021 for their innovative initiative, Cipen, which recycles cigarette butts into ink for pens and markers. Their success garnered three prestigious awards: Company of the Year, Social Responsibility, and Innovation.

Her core message to the youth is to seek opportunities to create something of their own, dream big, and believe in their potential to achieve great things. She highlights the importance of passion and encourages young individuals to embrace their interests fully.

Balancing the coordination of two JA programs while studying at school requires dedication and a love for what one does. Eleni's commitment to her endeavors stems from her genuine passion, emphasizing the importance of pursuing activities that inspire and fulfill us.

The first episodes of JA Talks Cyprus make the programs positive transformation of youths' lives evidently clear. Establishing partnerships with companies such as PwC Cyprus, JA Cyprus is continuing to clear the way to empowering youth entrepreneurship and to fostering a culture of innovation.

Through the support and dedication of volunteers, participants, and partners, JA Cyprus continues to provide invaluable opportunities for the youth to develop essential skills, embrace entrepreneurship, and chart their own paths to success. As these young entrepreneurs and leaders of tomorrow learn to overcome challenges, work collaboratively, and pursue their passions, they contribute to a brighter and more prosperous future for Cyprus and beyond.

Dive into the first episode of JA Cyprus Talks here, followed by the second episode. Check out the JA Cyprus channel for more.