DreamMaker Program

The DreamMaker Program runs for 12 months and consists of two phases - the Challenge Phase and the Implementation Phase.

The DreamMaker Program is a one year educational program operating in the fields of Global Issues, Arts & Culture and Sports. The program brings together highly talented and motivated young adults from around the world (Fellows) with an outstanding experienced individual (Friend) and several experts, who have the chance to pass on their knowledge to the next generation. The program combines hands-on learning experiences with a start-up component that empowers young people to follow their dreams and bring about change in their societies.

The one-year DreamMaker program takes place in two phases, the ten week Challenge Phase in the D&F Academy and the ten month Implementation Phase in the Fellows' home countries.

The Challenge Phase brings up to 20 Fellows together in one D&F Academy and offers hands-on learning delivered and facilitated by a range of experts in three courses:

• ChallengeLab: a hands-on course that provides the knowledge necessary to successfully solve the Challenge, a group task posed by the project Friend. In addition to project specific knowledge, the ChallengeLab delivers tools and skills in project management and team leadership.
   
• DreamLab: an innovative start-up course based on values and skills that are crucial for the Fellows to plan and implement their DreamPlans and positively impact society. A key milestone for each Fellow is to develop and present her/his individual DreamPlan, which then forms the basis for their venture implementation.
   
• MediaLab: an interactive course in which Fellows learn to use different media, especially video and blogs. The course enables Fellows to reach out to a broad audience by building their own websites and creating good quality text, image and video content.

The Implementation Phase focuses on the venture implementation in the Fellows’ home countries. During these ten months, each Fellow works on starting up her/his DreamPlan (social business, non-profit, cultural initiative or campaign) supported by participation in the continued DreamLab course, delivered as online training. The DreamLab provides content on topics specifically relevant to start-ups, for example regarding the legal set-up, or HR and financial management. It also further involves Fellows in value-based sessions and discussions helping them to tackle important issues such as sustainability and accountability. Furthermore, Fellows share experiences and report progress via the online platform and receive mentoring and coaching support.