Marti Grimminck World Merit USA +1 212-518-1304 marti@worldmerit.

org

Rosanagh de Stacpoole World Merit UK +44 (0) 207 3497173 rosanagh@worldmerit.org

LIFE CHANGING PRIZE FOR ASPIRING SOCIAL ENTREPRENEURS

San Francisco. (March 20, 2013) Aspiring social entrepreneurs are being invited to enter the iconic Your Big Year (YBY) competition and win a life changing prize of a year-long global Ambassadorship, which will see them visit six continents to volunteer on social impact projects, meet leaders worldwide and learn about different cultures and international issues. YBY3, a World Merit initiative, launches this week as a feature of Global Entrepreneurship Congress in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with long-time partner the Smaller Earth Group. Now in its third year, YBY is a global search for talent, which provides a unique forum for connecting ambitious and determined people to share their knowledge and ideas. In just two years the initiative has attracted over 100,000 of the worlds most inspiring millenials from over 220 countries with a social media reach of over 20 million and has appeared in the press in over 25 countries. While all applicants who enter at www.yourbigyear.com, will have the opportunity to win the prize of a lifetime, everyone who signs up will reap the rewards of being part of the worlds most vibrant community of 18-30 year-olds who want to make a positive impact on society. All participants of YBY will be connected through a brand new online platform Merit Online which will allow all members to connect, share thoughts, ideas, contacts and inspiration on an ongoing basis. World Merit Co-Founder and the visionary behind Your Big Year, Chris Arnold said, Imagine having a global team that tirelessly works for each other. That crosses borders with understanding and energy. That helps every member reach their milestones and ultimately reach their real potential. Well, thats what were achieving with Your Big Year and were hugely excited to be opening the initiative up again to a new generation of global citizens with entrepreneurial spirit." This years current Ambassador, 25-year old Charles Batte from Uganda, is just completing his year-long journey. The trip has been a great learning experience for me, I have come to develop my entrepreneurship knowledge and business acumen greatly, but even more, I have learnt a lot about myself. The trip has made me believe that I can do things to effect positive impact in society and that certainly through social entrepreneurship,I can change the lives of my people back home. All participants who want to compete for a chance to win the prize will be set a series of challenges before 120 finalists will be selected in June 2013. The finalists will face a round of further tasks before 12 champions are selected and flown to Liverpool in the UK in November to participate in a series of tasks as part of Global Entrepreneurship Week.

Last years champions, featuring two New York University students, Adam Butterfield and Barbara Rudolf, competed in a series of challenges which included pitching ideas to global icon Sir Richard Branson and tech entrepreneur Martha Lane Fox. A final winner will be selected who will then leave for their international journey in March 2014. The journey will include planting trees to revitalize urban areas in South Africa, caring for lions in Northern Africa, preserving wildlife on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, working to build a medical program in India and leading special needs kids at a summer camp in the US. The legacy of Your Big Year will go far beyond the competition, as all participants will be welcomed into a thriving community. As summed up by World Merit Co-Founder Marti Wigder Grimminck, At World Merit, we are looking to connect and support the worlds talent, the next generation of leaders. Diversity and common purpose brings about innovation and social change. - ENDS For further information please find us: www.yourbigyear.com, or follow us @YourBigYear Press Contacts: UK: Rosanagh de Stacpoole at rosanagh@worldmerit.org +44 (0) 207 3497173 USA: Marti Grimminck at marti@worldmerit.org or +1 212-518-1304

ABOUT YOUR BIG YEAR

Your Big Year is a worldwide competition with a life-changing prize for global citizens with entrepreneurial spirit Your Big Year is designed to give a platform for millenials with passion, ambition and determination to achieve their goals All participants will have the chance to compete for the year-long journey round the world when they will experience different cultures, understand issues and meet world leaders and innovators Entry is free at online at - www.yourbigyear.com - which will provide a forum for all participants to connect and network beyond just the competition Participants will be set a series of challenges with 120 finalists shortlisted in June Your Big Year is a featured event of Global Entrepreneurship Week and 12 Champions will be selected and flown to Liverpool, UK in November 2013 The 12 champions will face a series of tasks and one overall winner will be selected The winner will embark on their life changing journey in March 2014

World Merit, the parent company behind Your Big Year, is a global network of aspiring leaders and entrepreneurs. We connect the worlds talent and help them gain access to resources and opportunities. For more information, visit www.worldmerit.org or @MeritMoves Global Entrepreneurship Congress is currently being held March 18-21, 2013, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, he Global Entrepreneurship Congress is an interdisciplinary gathering of startup champions from around the world where entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, thought leaders and policymakers work together to help bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. http://gec2013.com/en Global Entrepreneurship Week will be held November 18-24, 2013 and is the worlds largest celebration of the innovators and job creators who launch startups that bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. http://gec.unleashingideas.org