What is the Global Action Impact Accelerator (GAIA) Start for Councils?
GAIA is a three-month virtual program designed to support the launch of new World Merit councils worldwide. These youth-led councils act as local chapters of World Merit, identifying community challenges and addressing them to drive societal development and contribute to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
This new edition of GAIA is structured to guide teams through the fundamentals of World Merit and the step-by-step process of establishing a council. Each month focuses on specific aspects of council development, equipping participants with the knowledge and tools needed to launch impactful initiatives.
The program blends synchronous and asynchronous learning, featuring live expert-led sessions, peer learning, mentorship, and hands-on project implementation.
Program Start Date: Mid-April
Application Deadline: April 5th
Eligibility Criteria
To be considered, you must meet the following:
Be a team of members aged between 18 to 30.
Have at least 5 team members, each ready to commit to one of the core World Merit roles.
Be based in a location where there is no active council yet.
Commit to full participation in the program for approximately 12 weeks (virtual format).
Demonstrate commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in your council’s vision and projects.
Be open to receiving feedback, continuous learning, and engaging actively with mentors and fellow councils.
What We Expect from Each Team:
This is not just a training program; it is a hands-on development journey. Participating teams must be ready to actively work on their own council growth during the program.
Your team will be expected to:
Assign a dedicated officer to each of the 5 core roles for a World Merit council (Leadership, membership, partnership & fundraising, communication, project officer). You will receive more information about this role distribution if your team is selected to participate in the program.
Fully participate: Ensure every team member attends all training sessions relevant to their role (live sessions will be scheduled on Saturday afternoon GMT).
Meet regularly as a team and document your council’s progress throughout the program.
Design and start implementing at least one project aligned with your community’s needs and the SDGs.
Build relationships with at least one local partner during the program.
Share your experiences, challenges, and successes with fellow councils through peer learning.
Be open to feedback: Willing to adjust or improve processes based on feedback.
Actively use the World Merit platform to document your council’s actions, track impact, and connect with the wider global network.
What You Will Gain?
GAIA Start is not just a training program; it’s a complete council-building experience designed to equip your team with the skills, structure, and confidence to lead effective community action.
Clear role definitions and role-specific training to build individual and team competence.
Direct support to develop your council’s internal processes; from planning meetings to managing projects and building partnerships.
Gain practical skills; Learn how to recruit members, build partnerships, manage projects, and communicate your impact.
Real-time feedback on your team’s functionality, helping you strengthen communication, decision-making, and collaboration.
Personalized mentoring from World Merit.
Connection to other councils around the world, opening doors to collaboration and shared learning.
Access to World Merit’s global platform, where your council can showcase its projects, attract new members, and connect to international opportunities.
Opportunity to win grants if your team wins the GAIA Goalkeepers Prize competition at the end of the program.
This form is for teams applying to participate in GAIA Start – Council Creation Program. Each team must consist of at least 5 members, filling the core roles required to build a World Merit Council.
