Announcing Kiva U: A movement of young people & educators to change the world

Today, we couldn't be more excited to announce a brand new initiative called Kiva U!

It's not just a program. It's a movement. Everywhere, thousands of students and educators are joining together to change the world through microfinance. Already, we've seen teachers, high school clubs, campus chapters, and inspired students mobilizing to solve the world's toughest challenges. All of this has motivated us to take the next step and create tools for people to learn more about global poverty, economics, credit, and how small loans can change people's lives for the better. Here at Kiva, we truly believe that collective action can make lasting change, and we want to work with the next generation of global citizens to make big things happen.

With Kiva U, you can get involved in so many ways -- it all starts at KivaU.org:

• Create or join a Kiva U team to connect with your peers, share ideas, and take action together.
• Explore innovative tools and curricula for all ages to spread the world about what microfinance can make possible.
• Encourage passionate high school and college students (and educators!) in your life to join us for the first ever Kiva U summit October 11-14 in San Francisco!
• And get the word out to your networks by sharing on Twitter and Facebook with the hashtag #KivaU.

We're kicking all this off with a $30,000 video contest for students passionate about microfinance. Learn more about the rules here, and tweet, storyboard and video your way to fabulous cash prizes and Kiva fame. We want to know how you plan to change the world, and your work may very well end up motivating thousands more students and teachers to do the same.



Kiva U envisions a world where all students and educators are empowered with the tools and resources they need to become informed, inspired and active. Our goal here is to create opportunities for experiential learning, digital collaboration and human connection on the issues that matter. Kiva U provides a platform for this to take place, and we can't wait to see what it will become as more young people and educators join and start to learn and teach through Kiva.

Kiva U is made possible by Citi, and Kiva is thrilled to collaborate with a partner interested in engaging students and teachers on the topic of financial inclusion. With 2.6 billion people around the world excluded from vital financial services, figuring out ways to economically empower the poor is more important than ever. That's what Kiva U is all about.

Have questions about Kiva U or how to get involved? Send them our way at blog@kiva.org.