Build a Program

The Summer of Solutions is a program run by and for young people to build just, sustainable, prosperous communities in locations all around the country. The program accomplishes two main objectives:

  1. Help the participants in the program develop as leaders who continue to build the green economy wherever they go next.
  2. Co-create projects and initiatives that are sustained beyond the summer to build a green economy locally with participants and community partners.
You are invited to apply to run a Summer of Solutions program! Your program can be fiscally sponsored by Grand Aspirations or hosted by a local organization in your community. (Make sure the organization is OK with supporting a Summer of Solutions program that follows the program guidelines.)
Please read the Guidelines for local programs to learn more about what the Summer of Solutions entails, the support available for local programs, and what is required to be considered a Summer of Solutions program.
You can see what programs are returning on the Existing Summer of Solutions page. If you are interested in being a part of running a program in one of these communities, see if they are looking for new program leaders by visiting their pages. Or start your own program!

Start Your Own Program Or Join an Existing Program


Learn about Existing Programs


Learn about 2011 Programs

Local program

Guidelines

Based on the accumulated experience that comes with running 37 programs over the last four years, the organization has a set of guidelines that programs must meet in order to be considered a Summer of Solutions program and access the resources and expertise that Grand Aspirations provides.

These guidelines are intended to support programs in creating positive, effective, and long-term solutions and avoid past mistakes rather than to confine creativity or create bureaucracy.