Social Shifters, a non-profit organisation based in Glasgow that aims to “enable evolving leaders to create positive change globally”, has hailed its achievements in 2021 – including its launch of a global competition focused on innovation.

It says that via access to masterclasses, networking events, inspiring stories, start-up tools and templates, virtual mentors, and awards, it equips social and environmental entrepreneurs with the skills and experience to bring to life their “world-changing” business ideas.

This year debuted the Global Innovation Challenge, an international competition to mobilise leaders aged 18 to 30 and their business offerings, saying this united a pool of people and organisations motivated by purpose and driven by an entrepreneurial mindset.

The challenge saw social business activity assessed and scored by expert virtual judges, with finalists supported to pitch for financial rewards to accelerate their start-up ideas, with winners announced at a global summit, organised in partnership with the Social Enterprise World Forum.

Marta Uetela, who turns abandoned fishing nets into prosthetics, was one of the Global Innovation Challenge's eight winners. Picture: contributed.

Glasgow-based Social Shifters cheers 2021 efforts to help young leaders flourish