[The full version of the Terms & Conditions can be found below]
INTRODUCTION
These Terms and Conditions (the “Terms”) apply to “Changed By Us,” a programme created and administered by Ashoka UK (“Ashoka”). By submitting an Entry, You agree to be bound by these Terms and by all decisions made by Ashoka in connection with the Programme.
DEFINITIONS
“You” refers to any individual who makes an eligible submission through the Service with the intention of participating in Changed By Us. Within these Terms, “You” may also be referred to as “Applicant” or “Participant.”
“Applicant Information” refers to Personal Data and Sensitive Personal Data contained in an Applicant’s Entry or in a prospective Applicant’s proposed entry through the Service.
“Entry” refers to any eligible submission made by an Applicant through the Service that contains relevant information, including Personal Data or Sensitive Personal Data, for the purposes of participating in Changed By Us. Entries may include personal stories, images, videos, artwork, written reflections, or descriptions of projects or initiatives.
“Personal Data” refers to any information that relates to an identified or identifiable natural person, including but not limited to: name, address, email address, age, social media handle, photographs, contact information, project or organisation information, location, questionnaire responses, and personal interests.
“Sensitive Personal Data” refers to Personal Data revealing racial or ethnic origin, political opinions, religious or philosophical beliefs, trade union membership, genetics, biometrics, health or disability information, immigration or refugee status, and information regarding a person’s sex life or sexual orientation and how they identify.
“Service” refers to the Changed By Us programme hosted by Ashoka and affiliated websites or services used and operated for the purpose of executing or administering the Programme.
- DATA PROTECTION
The information You submit through the Service will be held, used, and disclosed to others as set out in these Terms and in Ashoka’s Privacy Policy.
When You submit Applicant Information, You consent to it being submitted to Ashoka for its use pursuant to its Privacy Policy. You may review the Privacy Policy here: Ashoka Privacy Policy.
When You submit an Entry, You may be required to provide at least the following information:
Full name
Email address
Date of birth
Location
Parent/Carer/Guardian permission and contact details (where applicable)
Permission from an adult ally for Applicants aged 5–13
Description of your story, content, project, or initiative
If your Entry is selected as one of the spotlighted stories, You may be required to provide further details about your project or initiative and, if applicable, bank account information for the purpose of distributing prize funds. This information will not be disclosed by Ashoka except to third-party service providers necessary for disbursement or where required by law.
You are responsible for the accuracy of all information You provide. Ashoka is not liable for any errors made by You.
Ashoka may use your information to contact You regarding Changed By Us, Ashoka programmes related to youth changemaking, and other relevant content, to the extent permitted by law and under your consent.
Applicant Information will be held and processed by Ashoka for the duration of Changed By Us and may be retained for up to seven years or as required under applicable laws. Applicants can request access to, modification of, or deletion of their Applicant Information, to the extent permitted by law, by contacting [email protected].
- PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS AND AGE ELIGIBILITY
Changed By Us is open to young people aged 5–19 who are living in the United Kingdom.
Entries must be submitted in English.
Applicants may submit only one Entry.
Age-specific requirements:
Ages 5–13: Entries must be submitted by an adult ally (teacher, parent, guardian, youth worker, or equivalent). The adult ally must certify that they have obtained all necessary parental or guardian permissions.
Ages 13–17: Applicants may submit their own Entry but must obtain explicit parent/carer/guardian consent and provide their contact details.
Ages 18–19: Applicants may submit their Entry independently without parental consent.
By submitting an Entry, You agree to be bound by these Terms and acknowledge that selection decisions made by Ashoka are final and binding on all matters relating to the Programme. Selection is at Ashoka’s sole discretion.
To the extent permitted by law, each Applicant agrees to hold Ashoka and its affiliates harmless from any injury, damage, expense, or loss caused or claimed to be caused by participation in the Programme, except where death or personal injury results from Ashoka’s negligence.
An Applicant may be prohibited from participating if Ashoka reasonably believes that the Applicant has attempted to undermine the legitimate operation of the Programme, including by cheating, deception, or other unfair practices, or if the Applicant harasses, threatens, or abuses any other Applicants, Ashoka staff, partners, or associated parties.
- PROGRAMME PRIZE
A total prize pool of £10,000 will be distributed among up to 15 spotlighted stories selected by Ashoka. The allocation of funds to each selected Applicant or project will be determined by Ashoka at its sole discretion.
All eligible Applicants may receive feedback from Ashoka representatives and may be invited to participate in storytelling activities, exhibitions, or events associated with the Programme.
The receipt of prizes may be subject to taxes depending on the Applicant’s tax residence and applicable law. It is the Applicant’s responsibility to comply with all relevant tax obligations. Prizes are granted as gross amounts unless otherwise required by law.
Ashoka reserves the right to modify the prize structure at any time at its sole discretion.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Applicants who submit an Entry retain ownership of their work and any associated intellectual property.
By submitting an Entry, You certify that:
Your Entry is original
You are the sole and exclusive owner of the Entry and all rights in it
You have the legal right to submit the Entry
Your Entry does not infringe any third-party rights
You agree not to submit any Entry that infringes copyright, trademark, patent, trade secret, confidentiality obligations, personal rights, or any other rights, or that violates applicable law in any jurisdiction.
If your Entry contains copyrighted material belonging to another party, You must obtain written permission from the rights holder prior to submission. You assume responsibility for penalties and costs resulting from copyright violations.
Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of Ashoka’s own intellectual property to You.
- LICENCE GRANTED TO ASHOKA
By submitting an Entry, You grant Ashoka a worldwide, royalty-free, non-exclusive, transferable licence to:
use, reproduce, edit, adapt, distribute, and publish your Entry
publicly display or broadcast your Entry
create derivative works for programme-related storytelling
share your Entry with journalists, on social media, in Ashoka publications, and in exhibitions
contact You about filming, interviews, events, showcases, or press engagements related to Changed By Us
This licence covers your name, likeness, and project details where relevant.
This licence is granted for the duration necessary to administer, document, publish, and archive Changed By Us and related Ashoka programmes.
SAFEGUARDING AND RESPECTFUL CONDUCT
Ashoka is committed to safeguarding all young people participating in Changed By Us.
By participating, You agree to:
engage respectfully with others
refrain from sharing harmful, abusive, or discriminatory content
avoid any contact that may cause discomfort, harm, or risk to others
respect privacy and confidentiality where applicable
Entries that contain sensitive disclosures may result in Ashoka signposting support resources or taking appropriate safeguarding steps in line with UK law and Ashoka’s safeguarding policies.
- WITHDRAWAL OF CONSENT
Applicants may request to withdraw their Entry or revoke consent for future use to the extent permitted by law. Withdrawal requests must be made in writing to [email protected].
Requests will be honoured where possible, except:
where materials have already been published
where removal is not reasonably feasible
where Ashoka is under legal obligation to retain the content
where the content has been incorporated into non-editable programme materials
- COMMUNICATIONS RIGHTS
These Terms grant Ashoka the right to publicly share Entry information, including:
your name
your project details
publicly shared elements of your Entry
Ashoka may use this material in:
press stories
social media
Exhibitions
Ashoka websites
Ashoka publications
storytelling campaigns
Ashoka may edit or adapt materials for clarity, accessibility, or programme purposes.
- JURISDICTION
These Terms may be amended at any time at Ashoka’s sole discretion. Any updates will be published on the Changed By Us platform.
The Terms and administration of the Programme will be governed by the laws of England and Wales. Courts in England and Wales will have exclusive jurisdiction.
To the extent permitted by law, Applicants waive any right to challenge selection decisions or to seek judicial or injunctive relief regarding the judgment of the selection panel.