About Birndze - My Blog

ABOUT ME

I've sat in the rooms where decisions get made about young people's futures. I'd rather be building systems that make those decisions unnecessary.

Birndze Bete Dzekewong is a social impact strategist, youth development practitioner, and social entrepreneur working at the intersection of education, the future of work, and youth innovation. He is the Founder of Youth Connect Innovation Lab, a youth-led platform building pathways for young people to access digital skills, entrepreneurship opportunities, and funding to transform their ideas into sustainable ventures.

Birndze’s work is deeply shaped by his lived experience. After losing a parent at a young age and being forcibly displaced during the ongoing crisis in the Northwest region of Cameroon, he experienced firsthand the uncertainty, disruption, and lack of opportunity that many young people face. These experiences became the foundation of his mission; to build systems that ensure young people are not limited by their circumstances but empowered to shape their own future.

For nearly a decade, he has worked with young people across underserved and conflict-affected communities, helping them transition from education into meaningful work and leadership. His work focuses on designing practical solutions that equip youth with the skills, support, and access to opportunities needed to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

10 +Years

of Experience

A few things I refuse to compromise on

10+Experience

100Projects

10kCreatives

32+New Ideas

GLOBAL ROLES and RECOGNITION

Queen's Commonwealth Trust

Network Hub Communication Lead Volunteer | 2023
Appointed to lead communications for a network of 900+ changemakers and entrepreneurs across Commonwealth countries.

YOUNGA Delegate Future of Work and Education lead | YOUNGA | 2023/2024

Appointed as the Future of Work and education working group lead, where I work with young people form over a 100 countries to develop policy recommendation for the future of work and education for the YOUNGA Delegate communique

Bridge for Billions / CVC Africa — Connect Africa | Mentor | 2024

Provided mentorship and business coaching to refugees and migrant entrepreneurs in South Africa as part of the CVC Africa incubator program.

Peace First | ChangeMakers Coach | 2024

Delivered monthly coaching to young changemakers, supporting them in launching or scaling social impact projects backed by the Peace First Activation Grant.

The Resolution Project | Guide & Mentor | 2024 -2026

Provided mentorship to Resolution Fellows — helping them launch and scale their social initiatives. Also served as judge for the SVC Africa fellowship selection process.

Rise Global | Finalist Day Selector | 2024

Served as a selector for Rise Global for the United World College Scholarship on finalist day — conducting pitch evaluations, brainstorming sessions, and finalist interviews for one of the world's most competitive youth competitions.

Enactus Germany | International Judge | 2024–2025

Judged the Action with Africa Challenge (2024, 2025) — evaluating youth entrepreneurs from Ghana, Nigeria, Algeria, Egypt, Brazil, Morocco, and the UK. Also served as Level I judge for the EIB Empowering Women Challenge, evaluating projects across France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Poland, and the UK.

GCMx West Africa | Organizer & Host |

Organized and hosted GCMx West Africa — an independent event under the Global ChangeMakers Initiative (USA) that convened 40 young leaders from 17 African countries to co-create solutions to contemporary challenges.

AWARDS

EE 30 Under 30

Recipient of the North America Association of Environmental Education (NAAEE) EE 30 Under 30 Award; recognizing outstanding young professionals advancing environmental education and youth-led climate action globally.

FELLOWSHIPS & LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

Ashoka ChangeMakers Everywhere Academy

Bill Drayton founded Ashoka in 1980 based on the idea that the most powerful force for good in the world is a social entrepreneur: a person driven by an innovative idea that can help correct an entrenched global problem. The world’s leading social entrepreneurs pursue system-changing solutions that permanently alter existing patterns of activity. Ashoka envisions a world in which everyone is a changemaker:A world where citizens are powerful and contribute to change in positive ways. Ashoka identifies and supports the world’s leading social entrepreneurs, learns from the patterns in their innovations, and mobilizes a global community that embraces these new frameworks to build an “everyone a changemaker world.”

2021

Youth in Development Fellow — Impact Toolbox

Impact Toolbox is a non-profit led by experienced social entrepreneurs, educators, and change leaders dedicated to making social impact easier, sustainable, and rewarding.

We provide equity-deserving and emerging leaders with training, resources, and tools to transform their ideas into successful social enterprises, community projects, and meaningful careers.

Prioritizing rural and remote communities, racialized groups, youth, women, gender minorities, and individuals facing economic barriers, we help facilitate their socio-economic prosperity by supporting them to build sustainable businesses that create lasting change.

2022

UPG Biashara Entrepreneur — United People Global

United People Global (UPG) is a community that encourages and enables people to participate in making the world a better place. This is achieved in various ways and especially by contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). UPG works to raise awareness, strengthen belief, facilitate collaboration and foster community. UPG uses publications, projects and events to achieve its mission.

2023

Climate Executive Coaching Accelerator — Climate Executive Coaching

Ongoing

TESTIMONIALS

The work speaks for itself

SAY SOMETHING ABOUT BIRNDZE SAY SOMETHING ABOUT BIRNDZE

David Merten

President - Climate Executive Coaching

During our Accelerator Program at Climate Executive Coaching I had the chance to work with Birndze over a course of 8 weeks. I was impressed by his dedication for his project and his passion to make an impact. His enthusiasm to take action and move the needle to a better world is infectious. His knowledge is paired with positive attitude which makes it easy to work with him.

Jasen Booton

Education Consultant – Curriculum Foundation Associate

Birndze is an African Changemaker. He is creating spaces and opportunities for young, often marginalized people to see their worth in the world. As a social entrepreneur he helps students develop the skills and confidence to stand tall, speak loudly and take action towards their preferred futures. Voices are rising in Africa thanks to Birndze’s vision, commitment and energy.

Mitin Sandrine Yaah

Project manager – Green Space Academy

I am privilege to be working with Bete dzekewong. His leadership abilities are remarkable, and he values the opinions and contributions of each team member. It is admirable how he can uplift and encourage the team, provide protection and assistance. His upbeat attitude has made a significant contribution to the pleasant working atmosphere the team enjoys.

Alex Balashov

Founder - World 2040 Foundation

Optimism and focus - these qualities you immediately notice and appreciate when working with Birndze. I have done several projects with Birndze and his organization and can recommend him as a result-oriented leader with a warm, positive attitude toward the team or project members.

Dr. Eng. Godlove Suila Kuaban

Researcher, Institute of theoretical and applied informatics, polish academy of science

He is a gem, I strongly admire his resilience, commitment and dedication to building the capacities of young people. Bete, is one of those few people in the room with the right energy that you talk to and go home feeling relief. His sense of humor is infectious.

Bongwong Justin Berinyuy

6. September, 2023.

I have watched Birndze blossom into a confident and compassionate leader who inspires those around him to be their best selves. He is a natural leader who is able to connect with people of all ages and backgrounds, and he consistently demonstrates a deep commitment to helping others and improving our community.

Njodzeka Claudia Berinyuy

Community member

I have had the pleasure of working with Mr. Birndze Bete at YOCILAB and Green Space Academy, and I can confidently say that he is an exceptional leader. I particularly admire his qualities of empathy and selflessness. Bete consistently prioritizes the needs of others, going above and beyond to ensure the success of the team. He genuinely cares about the well-being and growth of every individual in the organization.

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