Canon Middle East wants youth to unleash their business and design passions in new competition.

Canon Middle East has declared the launch of a first-of-its-kind AKTASHIF programme in the GCC to promote youth to Discover Your Passion and design the next age of storytellers and content producers in the region.

Launched to correspond with World Youth Skills Day on July 15, AKTASHIF complements the global initiative to enable youth and highlight the importance of their participation in overcoming economic and social challenges.

World Youth Skills Day is a joint initiative by UNESCO-UNEVOC, which aims to acknowledge the importance of training and upskilling opportunities, as well as work and entrepreneurial prospects.

AKTASHIF will offer youth in the area the opportunity to get forward and face modern-day trials through relevant training and mentorship.

The programme will primarily target 14 to 24-year-olds in the Middle East, and provide a focal point for Generation Z to develop their interests, encourage their creativity and instil in them the quality of entrepreneurship.

The community-oriented initiative is intended to equip young people with the tools and methods to unleash creative careers.

As part of AKTASHIF, Canon Middle East is starting an annual competition where students can submit their business ideas online until December 2020.

The best three entries will be highlighted and receive prizes.

The Grand Prize winner will receive AED 15,000 cash prize,
AED 15,000-worth of Canon products and annual membership of a local entrepreneurship incubator to get their creative business idea off the ground.

The ideas can be promoted on Instagram, using hashtag #FreeYourStory and #CanonME