The E3 Challenge is a leadership development project under Power Unit, youth affiliate of The Dove Intercultural Society. It was created to fulfill Power Unit's mission of promoting entrepreneurship, empowerment, and excellence in youth.

Founded in February 2002, Power Unit has raised over $45,000 for Toronto charities, and grown from a small group of enthusiastic university students to over sixty students and recent graduates from across Toronto. Members range from 17 to 26-year-olds, with diverse backgrounds and interest, all united under the belief that youth can leave an indelible mark upon society for the better.

For more on Power Unit initiatives, please visit: www.dove-powerunit.com.


WHAT IS E3

	Entrepreneurship
	Empowerment
	Excellence

Since 2005, E3 Challenge has offered youths hands-on opportunities to develop their skills. E3 provides youth leaders with a rare opportunity to channel their creativity towards striving for excellence, inspiring, and being inspired, by those around them. In addition, it has prompted youths to take on active roles in the community. A business competition with an emphasis on teamwork and leadership skills, E3 is modeled after Donald Trump's reality television series, The Apprentice, consisting of challenges in which youths come together in teams and compete against one another.


HOW IT WORKS

Every summer, the process begins with interviews that are conducted to ensure recruitment of high caliber youths aged 16-20. The participants are then divided into teams. The teams compete with one another in three rounds, each round with its own unique characteristics. The challenges range from direct sales to new product development proposals. Some of the skills that the contestants develop include: teamwork, communication, organization, networking, planning, marketing and budget management.

In addition to the challenge, a support system of mentors, workshops and seminars makes this competition a valuable learning experience. Judged on leadership, adaptability and teamwork, a winning team is selected at the end of three rounds of competition.